New hiking trail network in the Palatinate Forest: Way free for modern paths!

New hiking trail network in the Palatinate Forest: Way free for modern paths!

The concept for a new basic hiking trail in the Palatinate Forest is certain. The city council of Neustadt unanimously approved a cooperation agreement in order to drive the comprehensive reorganization and modernization of the hiking trails in the Palatinate Forest Biosphere Reserve. This project is planned under the leadership of the district association Pfalz, the Palatinate Forest Association and the Palace Tourism. Die Rheinpfalz reports that the total length of the hiking trails in the Palatinate Forest from around 3,950 kilometers was reduced. The basis for this is the existing traditional paths of the Palatinate Forest Association.

The goal of the new concept is to create a clearer and high -quality network of paths that enables better orientation for hikers. The restructuring should be fully implemented and signposted by the end of 2028. For this purpose, a cooperation agreement for over 15 years is concluded with the community and cities involved. These municipalities take over the care and maintenance of the hiking trails in their area of ​​responsibility.

financing and costs

The material and assembly costs are carried by the municipalities proportionately depending on the length of the hiking trails. All municipalities pay a base amount of 5,000 euros for planning costs. The rest of the amount is divided in solidarity, with municipalities receiving a cost of 25% with existing directions. The total costs for the project amount to around two million euros. The country bears 75% of the costs, while the remaining 25% of 25 participating municipalities are applied. Neustadt itself has taken over a share of around 31,200 euros, divided into 2026 to 2028. For personnel and material costs, annual expenses of around 4,200 euros are planned.

The district association Pfalz will take over the processing of the funding as well as the tender and award to companies. This information was also added by Pfalz Touristik , which emphasize the importance of the project for the tourist development of the region.

implementation of the project

In order to realize the new network of hiking trails, there has already been a meeting of mayors and representatives of associations and cities in the Haus der Sustainability in Johanniskreuz. The key points of the new basic hiking trail network were discussed there. A concept for revising the route markings of the Palatinate Forest Association was developed in 2022, with the aim of improving the markings and creating a uniformly signposted, sustainable hiking trail network.

The Ministry of Economics, Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture Rhineland-Palatinate has promised financial subsidies of 75%, together with conditions for permanent maintenance of the new signage and certification. At a local conference in November 2023, however, it was found that no consensus could be achieved through the financing model, although 22 out of 25 municipalities were represented.

In order to clarify the open questions, a working group is founded by Michael Zwick, the mayor of the Association of Dahner Felsenland. This group has the task of developing a consistent paper, which is to be presented in autumn at another municipal conference, as the basis for a new application for funding at the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

The new hiking trail network will significantly increase the attractiveness of the Palatinate Forest as a tourist goal. The region is already known for its beautiful hiking trails, including two main hiking trails: the Palatinate forest path, which leads 142 kilometers from Kaiserslautern to Schweigen-Rechtenbach, and the Palatinate Weinsteig with a length of 170 kilometers along the Hairdrange. Further details on the hiking opportunities can be found on the page of Pfalz Touristik .

The redesign and optimization of the hiking trails promise to further enrich the hiking experience in the Palatinate Forest and continue to position the region as an attractive hiking destination.