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| Dannenfels | ||
| federal state | Rhineland-Palatinate | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 842 (2019) | |
| height | 400 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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Dannenfels is a place at the foot of the Donnersbergs and state-approved climatic health resort.
background
The village of Dannenfels extends on the eastern slope of the Donnersberg, hidden behind a ridge. The special location directly on the slope makes the place a popular postcard motif and also a crossing point for numerous hiking trails of the Palatinate Forest Association.
The place itself extends to about 350-420 m above sea level, the Donnersberg summit is another 250 meters higher. In terms of tourism, the place is extremely well developed for its size, but at the same time not overcrowded like some other mountain peaks in Germany, so you can move around in nature without being disturbed by other tourists.
getting there
By train
The next train station is Kirchheimbolanden, from there continue with the bus. Alternatively, the journey is also from Rockenhausen possible and possibly easier.
By bus
On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in the season (May to October), bus line 900 runs from Kirchheimbolanden through the village of Dannenfels and up to Donnersberg, and sometimes further to Winnweiler. These buses also have bike trailers, making them ideal for a bike excursion. The buses run 2 times a day on Saturdays and 3 times on Sundays (including 2 times with a connection to Winnweiler).
During the week, Dannenfels can also be reached by public transport, with line 901 from Kirchheimbolanden (or alternatively Rockenhausen). The buses run every hour with individual gaps at lunchtime; there is a connection to the train stations in Kircheimbolanden and Rockenhausen. There are three trips on Saturdays.
The possibility of ordering a call taxi (line 4912) should only be mentioned in passing if neither bus is running (especially late in the evening and on weekends). The Ruftaxi runs similar to the 901 line from Kirchheimbolanden and Rockenhausen, but, unlike the bus line, also serves the Donnersberg summit, order under the number 06352/750404 at least one hour before departure.
In the street
The next junction is 
11 Kirchheimbolanden on the motorway 
. The village of Dannenfels is not signposted there, so that it is a bit difficult to get there for those who are not in the area without GPS. From the exit, drive in the direction of Kirchheimbolanden, turn left at the roundabout and follow the road to a traffic light. Turn right there, then left and just follow the street.
If you are coming from the southwest, you can take the exit 12 Göllheim are cheaper. The town of Dannenfels is sufficiently signposted there so that a description of the route is not necessary.
In the village itself there are several parking spaces where you can park your car as a non-resident:
- 1 Car park P1 (at the sports field south of the village)
- 2 Parking lot P2 (at the southern entrance to the village)
- 3 Parking lot P4 (next to the former Raiffeisen branch)
- 4 Parking lot P5 (at the cemetery)
- 5 Parking lot P6 (at the northern entrance to the village)
- 6 Parking lot P7 (before elementary school)
Getting to the Donnersberg is very easy because the Donnersberg is signposted as a tourist destination from afar. You just have to follow the signs. At the moment, the approach is only possible from the Bastenhaus, the road between the Donnersberg and the town of Dannenfels can only be used downhill for an indefinite period of time due to a break in the slope. There is a large car park on the Donnersberg summit and there are also parking spaces at the Bastenhaus.
On foot
The European long-distance footpath E8 leads through Dannenfels.
mobility
Dannenfels is a small place and relatively easy to explore on foot.
Tourist Attractions
Most of the attractions are on the 1 Thunder Mountain, at 687 meters the highest mountain in the Palatinate and a popular excursion destination. The highest point of the Donnersberg is also Königstuhl (not to be confused with the Königstuhl in the Odenwald), where there is a rock formation made of solidified magma and an information board about the geology of the Donnersberg.
- 2 Ludwigsturm. The Ludwigsturm is a 27 meter high observation tower from 1864, which has been repaired and restored several times since then. After a strenuous climb you have a wonderful view over the entire region and can see the Odenwald main ridge with the Melibokus in the east and the Taunus with its mountains in the north. With good visibility it is even possible to see the skyline of Frankfurt am Main here. Some information boards provide information about the geological conditions in the region around the Donnersberg and the development in the history of the earth. The tower is usually open on weekends and public holidays together with a small kiosk at the foot of the tower where hikers can buy refreshments or postcards. Outside the opening times, you can collect the key from the tourist information office for a deposit. Entry costs € 1 per person.
- 3 Transmitter Donnersberg. The landmark of the Donnersberg and the entire region is the 200-meter-high transmission tower of the Südwestrundfunk, which can be seen clearly from afar and thus creates the classic silhouette of the Donnersberg region. There is also a former directional radio station of the US Army nearby, but it has since been abandoned and is in ruins.
- 4 Celtic wall. During excavations on the Donnersberg, traces of an earlier Celtic settlement were found, about which very little is known. The remains of the former Celtic wall have been faithfully restored on a short piece and can be viewed.
- 5 Eagle bow. The eagle arch is a steel monument on the southeast slope that was erected in 1880 in honor of the victory against France. Next to the imperial eagle in the middle, the arch is adorned with two portraits of Field Marshal von Moltke, who led the German troops in the war, and Chancellor Otto von Bismarck.
- 6 Wildenstein Castle. The Wildenstein castle ruins are well hidden on the southern slope of the Donnersberg. Some remains of the wall are still standing and can be viewed, and there is also an information board on site.
Sights in Dannenfels:
- 7 Tannenfels Castle. Just above the village are the remains of the medieval Tannenfels Castle. Much has really not been preserved, only a few remains of the wall, but still worth seeing as part of a hiking tour.
- 8 Dannenfels Protestant Church, Oberstrasse 12. The Protestant church in Dannenfels dates from the 17th century. The historic organ, which was built in 1758, is particularly worth seeing, but also the spacious parish garden and the rectory.
- 9 Sweet chestnut. The sweet chestnut on Mittelstrasse is said to be over 650 years old, making it the oldest tree of its kind north of the Alps. In 2012 this tree, which is nine meters thick, won the "Champion Tree" award.
- 10 Gethsemani Monastery, Donnersbergstrasse 19. Tel.: 49 6357 256. The Gethsemani monastery is a new monastery founded in 1984 above Dannenfels on the slope of the Donnersberg. Guests will find a monastery shop in the monastery during the mentioned opening times, where you can buy souvenirs and other souvenirs. The monastery also offers other services (e.g. bookbinding).Open: daily 9:30 am-11:30am and 2:30 pm-4:30pm.
- 11 Donnersberghaus, Oberstrasse 4. Local history museum with exhibits from the region.Price: Free entry, donations welcome anytime.
activities
- hike is the classic activity in Dannenfels. Topographic maps of the region are available at all parking lots, so that you can plan your hike well in advance.
- The local community of Dannenfels has designated seven circular hiking trails, which are of different lengths, but usually lead up to the Donnersberg. The course of the hiking trails is also indicated on the town's website. You should be aware that the ascent to Donnersberg is extremely steep and exhausting. So if it is stated that a 6 km long circular route takes two hours, this is not a particularly slow hiker, but the time is quite realistic given the ascents and descents. The tourist information office is always the starting point for all circular hiking trails.
- There is also the on the Donnersberg Celtic way, which leads past numerous archaeological sites with finds from the Celtic era. It is not particularly long and can therefore be done "on the side".
- The Kneipp clover leaf path be. This leads in a large arc through the small villages in front of Dannenfels, which in turn offer some sights.
- The 1 Park of the Senses is a Kneipp facility with everything you need to relax, such as a Kneipp basin, a barefoot path and much more.
- Paragliding is possible on Donnersberg - prerequisite of course, the weather plays along. There are two starting places for that Palatinate hang-gliding and paragliding club belong, but are also open to guest pilots. All further information there.
- fishing is also possible at the 2 Dannenfelser Mill. There is also a small excursion restaurant for hikers. Opening times Sa 10: 00-20: 00, Sun and public holidays 8: 00-18: 00.
Regular events
- Donnersberglauf: The first stage of the w: Palatinate Mountain Run Cup is the Donnersberglauf, which always takes place in February. The organizer is Donnersberg Athletics Club. Before the competition, there are also regular training runs in which you can warm up for the real competition.
- Historic village market every two years (on odd years) on the last Sunday in August
- There is one in Dannenfels Kerwe twice: once the Kerch notch on the 4th Sunday of July and then the Keschdekerb on the last Sunday in October.
shop
- 1 Birgit's country store, Mittelstrasse 27. Tel.: (0)6357 508480. Small gift shop with flowers, decorative items, but also products from the region.
- 2 Gass butcher shop, Kirchheimbolander Strasse 2. Tel.: 49 6357 7448. Family butcher with a long tradition in Dannenfels.Open: Mo-Fr 6:30 am-1:00pm and 3:00 pm-6:00pm, Sa 6:30 am-12:00pm, closed Wednesday afternoons.
- 3 Baab fruit farm, Mittelstrasse 2. Tel.: 49 6357 454. Local fruit.Open: by appointment.
kitchen
- 1 Opposite café, Oberstrasse 14. The café is located in the tourist information office and is the only café in town that has developed into a central point of contact for the village community. The café is operated by the Hotel Berg opposite.Open: Wed-Sun 9: 30-18: 00.
- 2 Landgasthof Pfalzblick, Donnersbergstrasse 7. Tel.: 49 6357 5090527. The restaurant is located directly opposite the Hotel Kastanienhof. The restaurant is dog friendly.Open: Wed-Fri 17: 00-22: 30, Sat 12: 00-22: 30, Sun 11: 00-22: 30.
- 3 Celtic hut (on the Donnersberg). Hiker's hut right on the summit of Donnersberg. The hiking hut is no longer managed by the Palatinate Forest Association, but by the nearby hotel as a kind of "branch office". In addition to smaller meals, there are also hearty Palatinate cuisine and a changing menu of the day.Open: Sat, Sun and public holidays 10:30 am-6:00pm.
nightlife
Of course, the small town does not offer a real nightlife.
accommodation
As a rule, it is not difficult to find accommodation in Dannenfels. The only (curious) exception: between the years, most of the hotels are fully booked because the hotels offer special New Year's celebrations, which are also quite popular. If you want to go to Dannenfels at this time of all times, you should book early.
- 1 Hotel mountain, Oberstrasse 11. Tel.: 49 6357 97350. Hotel directly opposite the tourist information office, which also runs the café there. The hotel also has a restaurant.Open: Restaurant Mon 17: 00-21: 30, Wed-Sat 11: 30-14: 00 and 17: 00-21: 30, Sun open all day, Closed on Tuesdays.Price: single / double 63 € / 102 € including breakfast buffet.
- 2 Hotel Kastanienhof, Donnersbergstrasse 7. Tel.: 49 6357 9890730. The hotel is located a little above the village. It has 20 apartments in which you can cater for yourself, breakfast can be booked as an option.Price: single / double 60 € / 90 €.
- 3 Bast house, Bastion house 1. Tel.: 49 6357 975900. The Bastenhaus is relatively remote on the country road between Kirchheimbolanden and Rockenhausen. Since several hiking trails intersect there, it can be an interesting stopover for hikers. The hotel also offers a breakfast buffet (also for non-hotel guests) and a restaurant with a lunch menu.Open: Restaurant Mon-Sat 11: 00-23: 00 (hot meals 11: 30-14: 00 and 17: 30-21: 30), Sun 11: 00-15: 00 (hot meals 11: 30-14: 00: 00), breakfast buffet Mon-Fri 7: 00-11: 00 and on weekends 8: 00-11: 00.Price: single / double 69 € / 108 €.
security
There are no special safety instructions.
health
The next hospital is in Kirchheimbolanden.
Practical advice
- 1 Tourist Information Dannenfels, Oberstrasse 14. Tel.: 49 6357 1614. Open: Tue-Fri 14: 00-17: 30, Sat 08: 00-12: 00, Sundays and public holidays in the season (Easter to the end of October) 10: 30-13: 30.
trips
The next goals are in particular Kirchheimbolanden and Rockenhausen at.
literature
Web links
- http://www.dannenfels.de/ - Official website of Dannenfels
