Hettenleidelheim: Hiking, Erdekaut and History

Hettenleidelheim can be explored through two themes: hiking and local history. The Leininger Panorama Trail is an approximately 20-kilometre circular hike that starts at the market square; the Erdekaut adventure landscape offers three circular trails and insights into former clay mining. Churches, a museum and the Kriegerhain add specific historical landmarks to the natural attractions. When planning your trip, you can first consider whether you want to focus on trails through the landscape or on the history of the town.

Hiking in Hettenleidelheim and Erdekaut

The Leininger Panorama Trail is an approximately 20-kilometre circular hike that starts at the market square in Hettenleidelheim. Along the way, it reaches the Catholic church in the town. The approximate distance and starting point give you an initial guide for planning your hike; route information may change. So check the latest information about the trail before setting out.

The Erdekaut adventure landscape lies between Eisenberg and Hettenleidelheim. It is a protected landscape and a post-mining area on the site of former clay pits. The area is home to protected animal and plant species and has three circular trails, viewpoints and information boards. Tables and benches at panoramic viewpoints offer places to rest and picnic. In this way, the area brings together several aspects of former clay mining, trails through the landscape and places to linger.

Remains of mine railway tracks can be seen in the grass at Erdekaut. The former Riegelstein mine now houses a mining museum. Wildlife is another attraction: Erdekaut is considered a place where you can spot frogs, dragonflies, trout, ducks and cranes. Play equipment includes slides, sandpits and wobble toys. A tree trail adds to the local attractions for residents and visitors.

A forest car park at the Mariengrotte serves as the starting and ending point for several hiking trails maintained by the Palatinate Forest Association. If you would like to start a hike there, check the latest route information in advance, as trail routes may change.

Church, museum and local history

The Catholic parish church of St. Peter and St. Hubertus is a Baroque building dating from 1720. From 1897 to 1899, the church was expanded in the Neo-Romanesque style. Its construction history thus combines two distinct periods; the Leininger Panorama Trail also leads to the church.

The exhibitions at the local history museum in Hettenleidelheim cover mining, industry, agriculture, crafts and domestic life. They also include equipment used in clay mining. The Karl Blum Archive documents the history of Hettenleidelheim and contains chronicles of long-established families, clubs and municipal bodies. The museum and archive therefore have distinct focuses: one presents themes from work and everyday life, while the other preserves chronicles and documents on local history.

The Kriegerhain is the former churchyard of the St. Stephanus Chapel. Gravestones are still visible there, including examples from the plague year of 1666. Pilgrimages are regularly held at the Wald-Mariengrotte; dates may vary from year to year. Together with the church, museum and archive, these sites offer several distinct historical and religious themes to explore in Hettenleidelheim.

Whether you plan your trip around a longer circular hike, the trails and viewpoints at Erdekaut, or historical landmarks, you can plan around specific destinations. It is worth checking the latest route information before setting off; pilgrimage dates may vary from year to year.

Discover more travel destinations: Wattenheim, Carlsberg, Gönnheim, Forst An Der Weinstraße, Lambrecht, Grünstadt, Kallstadt, Neidenfels.

Go to the main travel overview: Bad Dürkheim.