Weißenberg (Palatinate)

View from Hermersbergerhof the White Mountain ( Luitpold tower)

The White Mountains in the municipality of Merzalben in Rhineland-Palatinate County Southwest Palatinate is a 609.9 m above sea level. NHN high mountain of the Palatinate Forest. As part of the biosphere reserve Palatinate Forest -Vosges du Nord, he is subject to special protection.

• 2.1 emergence
• 2.2 Structure ( stratigraphy )

• 3.1 Precipitation
• 3.2 Temperature
• 3.3 Wind
• 3.4 Bioclimatic aspects

• 4.1 Zoning in the area of the White Mountain
• 4.2 core zone " headwaters of the Wieslauter "

• 5.1 Dreiherrenstein
• 5.2 Luitpold stone
• 5.3 Dutch Klotz

• 6.1 Introduction
• 6.2 Description

• 7.1 accessibility
• 7.2 hiking 7.2.1 To the Summit
• 7.2.2 In the White Mountain area

Geography

Location

The White Mountain is located in the center of the middle Palatinate Forest in the Palatinate Forest Nature Park. It rises about 6.5 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Merzalben and 8 km north of Hauenstein near the hamlet belonging to Wilgartswiesen Hermersbergerhof. The mountain is part of the Franks pasture, a central massif of the Palatinate Forest, and the southernmost of a series of four peaks, which reach more than 600 m height. To the north of the refuge head ( 606.2 m), the Mosisberg ( 608.7 m ) and the Eschkopf follow ( 608.3 m).

Nature Spatial allocation

The White Mountain is part of the natural environment " Palatinate Forest ," which is classified in the scheme of the 3rd order issued by Emil Meynen and Joseph Schmithüsen manual of the biogeographic division of Germany and its Nachfolgepublikationenals Greater Region. Looking at the internal structure of the natural environment, so it belongs to the Franks pasture or the " High Palatinate Forest ," a core area of the Middle Palatinate Forest.

In summary follows the natural spatial allocation of the White Mountain so that the following system:

Mountain height and peak

The height of 609.9 m high White Mountain is differently estimated at around 610 m and 607 m. The higher value is since 2011 official recommended. This is the White Mountain before Mosisberg ( 608.7 m) and Eschkopf ( 608.3 m), the highest elevation in the west of the mountain. The mountain, whose saddle-shaped dome extends from south to north, has two summits: the South Summit is 609.9 meters, the 280 meters distant north peak 609.1 m high.

Dominance and prominence of

The closest mountains that exceed the white mountain height, are the Rossberg ( 637 m) and the Steiger head ( 613.6 m); they are located at a distance of 15 km as the crow in the Haardt at the eastern edge of the Palatinate forest ( dominance of White Mountain ). In addition, the White Mountain is not an isolated peak, but part of a system of elongated ridges that run through the inner Palatinate forest in different directions and shape its surface shape.

If we take from Weissenberg a connecting line to the greatest possible height ( ridge ) to the next higher summit, so this is the Steiger head of 613.6 m. The lowest point on this line is the saddle with the forestry house Heldenstein to 472 m altitude. The difference between the height of the White Mountain and the the lodge Heldenstein ( = saddle height or prominence of the mountain ) is 138 m. This relatively low value is explained by the above-described morphological structure of the central Palatinate Forest. Thus, it is possible to migrate from the White Mountain of up sizing, Kaiserslautern - Mölschbach, Elmstein and the forest lodges Taubensuhl and Heldenstein almost to Neustadt on ridges, without falling below the 450 -m contour line.

Waters

The White Mountain receives as part of the Franks pasture comparatively high rainfall (see Section precipitation ) and is therefore the headwaters of a number of smaller and larger rivers.

Since its sandy soils are very permeable to water, the rain water can quickly seep into the soil and be stored as groundwater, especially in the rocky areas of the Lower ( Trifels and Rehberg layers ) and Middle Buntsandstein, ( Karlstalschichten ) and forwarded. Serve water astonished the Rehberg clay formation, which are located in the area of ​​White Mountain on about 350 to 400 m altitude, as the source horizon, where the groundwater emerges in a series of springs and wells.

From the north the watershed between the Rhine and Moselle bends already at Hort head to the southwest. The waters northwest of that flow over Schwarzenbach, assemblies and Saar Mosel to the first, before you water reaches the Rhine. The water runs east and south of it, including those in the area of the White Mountain, the Rhine strive to: West of the White Mountain spring waiting Bach and Scheidbach, the two source streams of the Lauter, at 382.1 m and 386.3 m (see also section core zone " headwaters of the Wieslauter "). She turns, on the upper reaches as Wieslauter, first to the south and flows later than Lauter meet along the German - French border eastward to the Rhine. East of the White Mountain have Cold and Modenbach dug deep into the sandstone package; they open at Zwiesel in the Wellbach, also flows to the water on the east Queich the Rhine.

Geology

Formation

The White Mountain is formed by rocks of red sandstone that were deposited at the beginning of the Triassic ( 251-243 million years) in predominantly desert-like conditions. These rock layers were told in the Paleogene ( 65 to 23.8 million years) during the formation of the Upper Rhine Graben tectonic surroundings, which have resulted in the bulge, displacement and inclination of the rock. For this sandstone package today's surface shape of the Palatinate Forest and therefore the ridges of the White Mountain has been modeled in the sequence ( 23.8 to 0.01 million years) by weathering and erosion processes.

Structure ( stratigraphy )

Built of White Mountain is primarily of rock strata of the Lower and Middle Buntsandstein. Since these are skewed (see section origin ) and fall from east to west, the layers of the Lower Buntsandstein are on Weissenberg yet to encounter at a lower level than it is to the east, for example, in the Haardt the case. So there characterize the particularly strong consolidated quartz sandstone of Trifelsschichten to about 300 to 450 meters above sea level, the surface shape, while they are open at the White Mountain only in the deep narrow V-shaped valleys of the Cold and fashion Bach.

Contrast, larger space claim the formations of Rehberg and Schlossberg layers which cover the Trifelsschichten and come to the surface in the valleys of the Western White Mountain region and on its slopes to an altitude of 400 m. In these rock layers, small-scale rock zones alternate with thin layers of clay, the latter often act as a source horizon (see water ). It often is red, partly scree leading sandstones of different grain size, which have a more fine-grained, low- crystallized structure especially in higher areas and thus are less resistant to weathering.

These formations are covered in the summit area of the White Mountain from an altitude of 400 m through the rocks of the Middle Buntsandstein, with gray to bright red medium to coarse sandstones dominate. Characteristic are particularly rock formations of Karlstalschichten whose rock zone consists of up to 40 meters thick, silicified rock packages that often come to the surface as hard boulders several meters in diameter. In extending the Upper Karlstalschichten and the upper rock zone ( 9-26 m), often form their also strongly silicified medium and coarse sandstones, especially in the inner region of the Palatinate forest ( Palatinate well) cliffs. Impressive rock areas can be observed in this connection, particularly on the southwestern slope of the White Mountain at an altitude 450-550 m. This sector has, since 2007, for walkers no longer accessible, as there is a large core zone of the biosphere reserve Palatinate Forest - Vosges du Nord was established. But even in the direct area of ​​the White Mountain summit itself rocks of the Middle Buntsandstein can be detected, which fall during the ascent to the summit below the Luitpold tower immediately catches the eye.

Climate

Precipitation

Due to its exposed location in the southwest of the Franks pasture of White Mountain is subject to particularly strong Atlantic influences. Moderately warm and moist air masses flowing mainly from the west, are forced to ascend ( Luv - effects), so that is leading to increased cloud formation and higher than average rainfall. Particularly meaningful data are the 1.5 km eastern Hermersbergerhofs, for an average annual rainfall of 1095 mm is measured. The values ​​to the northwest ( glues 1071 mm) or north swimming stations ( Johanniskreuz 1005 mm ) have tended in the same direction. Thus, in the case of the White Mountain assumed similar precipitation totals, which due to its greater height and its southwest exposure even values ​​of 1100-1200 mm are expected annual rainfall. Comparing the precipitation totals for each month, as show in particular the winter months of December and January, a pronounced maximum rainfall. This is a typical phenomenon for low mountain range, as especially in the winter months affect rain -bringing Atlantic low pressure systems Central Europe and are triggered by rainfall reinforced slope in mountainous areas.

Temperature

The mean annual temperature is in the middle layers of the White Mountain 7-8 ° C and decreases in the summit area on 6-7 ° C.; The values ​​in January is about -1 to -2 ° C and reach at July 15 to 16 ° C. In comparison to amount the corresponding data for the Wine Route region ( Upper Rhine Valley ) at 9-10 ° C for the whole year, 0-1 ° C in January and 18 to 19 ° C in July, in a narrow strip of Landau Bad Durkheim - even an average temperature of up to 20 ° C measured in the height of summer - due Föhneffekte. The mean annual range of air temperature at the White Mountain at about 16.5 ° C, a relatively low value, which also refers to the oceanic orientation of this region.

Wind

Unlike other mountain ranges that are marked continental, ( Palatinate Forest / Vosges ) observed stronger and longer lasting air movements in the average area of the left bank Mountains. This is especially true for the central ridge of the White Mountains in the southwest, which is the first significant barrier for Atlantic front systems and therefore the prevailing south-westerly and westerly winds with a frequency of about 50 percent is fully exposed. Especially during storm events are therefore registered conspicuously high wind speeds at different stations of the German Weather Service in the Palatinate Forest, as evidenced for example by measurements of the weather station on the Weinbiet ( 553 m), a mountain in the north- east of the Palatinate Forest, again and again. It is therefore assumed that if adequate weather conditions on the White Mountain due to its location südwestlicheren even higher wind speeds are recorded.

Bioclimatic aspects

From a bioclimatic point of view the climate of the White Mountain region as a moderate climate with fairly low temperatures, high rainfall, often strong winds and high air purity can be assessed. The holiday maker is therefore in contrast to the lowland stronger climatic stimuli exposed so that this type of climate can have positive effects, among others, in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, but also rheumatic complaints and depressive disorders. On a seven-point scale thermal load steps the White Mountain area is therefore considered fresh in the lowest exposure level.

Reserves

Zoning in the area of the White Mountain

The White Mountain, being a part of the Palatinate Forest on cross -border biosphere reserve Palatinate Forest - Vosges du Nord. In implementation of the UNESCO guidelines " Man and Biosphere " (MAB ) adopted the state of Rhineland -Palatinate in 2007 an ordinance in which a zoning concept is included with different protection objectives and graded protection intensity. In this case, the Palatinate Forest in three zones, namely divided core, care and development zones, with the peak area of ​​the White Mountain, also its northern and eastern slopes of Zone 2, which are assigned to the " buffer zone ", while the western and southern regions in the core zone " headwaters of the Wieslauter " fall (see section core zone " headwaters of the Wieslauter ").

Special protective purpose of zone 2 is " the supplement, buffering and networking of the core zones and the conservation, restoration and development of the use- or care -dependent parts of the landscape, their species and communities, and to preserve the typical cultural landscape character. These are naturally gentle, the needs of the species and habitat protection and landscape character -adjusting or enhancing farming practices are maintained or restored as possible "(§ 4.3 ). For the White Mountain, this mainly means an ecologically-oriented form of forest use, which is based on the principles of sustainability and the development of near-natural mixed forests with appropriate soil flora aspires.

In contrast, core areas shall be subject to particularly strict usage restrictions. Protective purpose of the core zones is to " ensure a largely free of human influence flow of natural processes and come to protect the natural dynamics of natural or semi-natural ecosystems, including the soils and rocks, and the resulting diversity of habitats, animals and plants on time " (§ 4.2 ). This means that, for example, in the core zone " headwaters of the Wieslauter " no more forests are managed and have to be guided hunting as well as recreational use of this protective purpose. The aim is to preserve the forests of the White Mountain region, not only in its present state, but in the medium and long term primeval natural forests, so-called " wilderness areas " further.

Core zone " headwaters of the Wieslauter "

The core zone covers an area of ​​2399.532 hectares, is among the 16 core areas in the Palatinate Forest Nature Park by far the largest reserve. It lies in the districts of Wilgartswiesen, Münchweiler Rodalb and Merzalben in the district of Southwest Palatinate and extends from the summit area of ​​the White Mountain, starting clockwise about 3 to 7 km in the south to the northwest. Its southeastern boundary forms an elongated ridge, which runs down to the bottom Horbachtal and with the " Bollen " - for example, peak or width Boll Boll - carries several distinctive peaks. From there, the reserve turns west, then to proceed at Hinterweidenthal - Kaltenbach north across the Red Stone to the Schlossberg castle with Gräfenstein. From here follows its external border - now rather north-east - the crest of Winschertberges; later she winds at several southwest to north- west facing slopes in the narrower White Mountain area along and finally reaches the " Dutch block " again the actual summit plateau.

A key feature of the conservation area is to be rich structured relief with a complex drainage system (see Section waters) and various mountain forms, of which, among other cone mountains - for example Large, width and peak Boll -, elongated ridge - for example Wartenberg and Narrow neck - and highly planar-like structures - high plateau of the Franks pasture with the summit area of the White mountain - dominate the landscape. It is a vast, virtually unfragmented habitat complex, composed mainly of natural beech ( Luzulo -Buchwald, Research Luzulo - Fagenion ) and oak -beech forests. They form FFH habitats of international importance with natural regeneration, mixed age structure and a high proportion of dead wood and grow mainly in the summit area and on steep slopes with rocky reefs, ledges, boulder fields and scree, which consist of rocks of the Middle Buntsandstein (see geology section). In Storage are Auflichtungen with flowering plants rich dry meadows and heath wasteland. In the area of ​​ground flora is dominated by soil acid- loving species such as wavy, forest and sedge pills, next to the forest - wood rush, White Wood-rush, and various species of ferns; In addition, there are blueberry and wild strawberry and on suitable sites and cranberries.

The abundant groundwater occurs in the form of shift and fall of sources - rather on slopes - or in leachate or liquid sources - rather in hollows or valleys - on the surface, forming many source streams that flow mainly in deep V-shaped valleys to the west and southwest and finally on the meadow sounds Reck unite the upper reaches of Wieslauter. Characteristic of the upper Wieslautertal ( Zieglertal ) and its side valleys are moist and dry meadows, which are structured by rich shore -sided wood. The oat grass meadows of the lower Zieglertals be partially used as hay meadows and grazing. In the Waterside area of ​​Wieslauter find moisture- loving plants such as the Bitter Cress, the Commons purple loosestrife and reed canary grass, while the river itself contains typical plants of the vegetation type " Ranuncolion fluitantis " as the flood ends Buttercup ( indefinite) and the narrow- Wish.

History

In the area of the White Mountain there are several boulders that point as stone trademarks or knight stones at historically notable events or this document.

Dreiherrenstein

One of these brands is the stone south of the White Mountain located towards Hermersbergerhof in a saddle Dreiherrenstein ( Ritterstein No. 57); it is tucked away in the woods near the county road 56 or marked with " blue cross " trail. It is a flat rock that existing in 1773 border situation between the crashing at this point possessions of the Wittelsbach dukes of Palatinate -Zweibrücken, Leininger Count - Line Leiningen- Hard Burg- Dabo - and the members of the Margraviate of Baden rule Gräfenstein documents. For this purpose not only the coat of arms of possessions but also the boundaries of the historic forest districts were carved into the surface of the rock. Are clearly still the Baden coat of arms with the letters "MB" ( Margraviate of Baden ), also the coat of arms of Pfalz- Zweibrücken with its diamond structure and the addition of " PZ " to recognize (Pfalz - Zweibrücken). The letters " PW" (Royal Forest) have been attached since 1831 during the time of the Bavarian Palatinate and served to mark the Bavarian Forest. On its face the name " Dreiherrrenstein " next to the abbreviation " PWV " engraved - In addition, during the configuration of the rock knighted stone through the Palatinate Forest Club - as usual in such cases.

Luitpold stone

About 400 meters south of the Luitpold tower, but still in the actual summit area of ​​the White Mountain, is located in a forest clearing with a small car park at the Luitpold stone, another stone designed as a knight boulder ( Ritterstein No. 70). It was erected to commemorate the 90th birthday of the then Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria and bears the following inscription: Prince Regent Luitpold, March 12, 1911, 90 years old. In addition, next to the Luitpold stone is an oak tree that was planted in honor of the Prince Regent on his birthday.

Dutch block

North of the White Mountain summit can be reached in about 0.7 kilometers from the Dutch Klotz, who is also on 550.7 meters high on a larger clearing in the vicinity of the K 56. This knight stone ( No. 71) refers to the intensive timber trade, which was operated in the 17th and 18th centuries, between the Palatine and Dutch shipbuilders, especially with oaks.

At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, was used for this place the term " Zwisslerruhe ", but could not prevail in the sequence for unknown reasons. With this designation the particular merits of August Zwissler should be appreciated that this had purchased at the tourist development of the Palatinate Forest. Zwissler worked from 1891 to 1897 as Forstamtsassesor in glues and was then instrumental in the development of a comprehensive, uniform marking system for the entire Palatinate Forest.

Panorama from the summit

Introduction

From the 35 meter high tower Luitpold, which was inaugurated in 1909 on the South Summit, considering the central location of the mountain the most comprehensive view of the entire Palatinate Forest and beyond up to the Hunsrück, thunder mountain, Taunus, Odenwald, Schwarzwald and Vosges. After geometric investigations can be from there in good visibility 457 known by name targets, including more than 350 mountain peaks, identify, with twelve target plaques that are mounted on the observation deck of the tower facilitate orientation.

Description

If you look from the tower to the east, spreading to the foot of the beholder - from uninhabited heartland of the inner Palatinate Forest - apart from a few small hamlets and forest homes. The landscape is characterized by elongated or trapezoidal mountain forms mixed forests with dense, complex valley systems and a variety of smaller or larger watercourses. In the foreground the deep valleys of the mode and the cold Bach catch the eye, which are followed by showy mountain behind the block of Almer mountain ( 564.1 m) and the mountain area to the forester's house Taubensuhl ( 528.2 m). At a distance of about 15 to 25 km as the crow you see the long drawn Haardt mountain range that delimited towards the Palatinate Forest to the Rhine valley and carries a number of known peaks. From north to south these are Eckkopf (516 m) near Bad Durkheim and Weinbiet (554 m) near Neustadt, with the latter mountain is easily identified by its radio mast. South of Speyerbach Tales follow with Kalmit ( 672.6 m; distance 20 km visibility chance 82 percent), Steiger head ( 613.6 m), Kesselberg ( 661.8 m) and Rossberg ( 637 m), the highest peaks of the mountain, the the with Orensberg ( 581.2 m) above the close Queichtals.

Further south, just beyond the Queich, determine the various forms of mountain Wasgau the landscape. ( View chance 94 percent 497.1 m;; distance 13 km ), Anebos (482 m) and Scharfenberg (coin ) ( 488.6 m) from the well 13 km are striking in space Annweiler the cone mountains of the " Castle Trinity " Trifels remote mountain concise pyramid of Rehberg is ( 576.8 m), the highest mountain of the Palatine Wasgau surmounted. Subsequently, one recognizes the High Derst ( 560.5 m) near Bad Bergzabern and at a distance of 34 kilometers from the Great Winterberg ( 581 m) at Niederbronn in Alsace. ( Distance 77 km, 1163 m visibility chance 14 percent) in good visibility on the horizon about 80 to 90 km from the mountain range of the northern Black Forest, where for example the Mehliskopf ( 1007.8 m) and the Hornisgrinde appears, the highest mountain in the northern part of the Black Forest, stand out clearly. In extremely good visibility can even the highest mountains of the Black Forest are identified at a distance of about 150 km by Feldberg ( 1493 m), the Schauinsland ( 1,284.4 m ) and the Ballon (1414 m).

In the southwest, the viewer is present the peripheral forest areas of the southern Palatinate Forest, which continue beyond the German - French border in the northern Vosges to the horizon. In the foreground the distinctive mountain forms of Bollen towers, the width Boll ( 528 m), the top Boll ( 540.1 m) and the Great Boll ( 532.8 m), behind which spreads the Dahn land in the middle ground. At a distance of about 20 to 25 km in the border area Pfalz / Alsace overtop Wegelnburg ( 570.9 m; Distance 21 km, view chance 80 percent), the highest castle ruin the Palatinate, also - even in Alsace - the poppy mountain ( 547 m) and Dürr mountain ( 521 m) the crests of Wasgau. View chance 8 percent; For particularly clear air are at a distance of about 80 to 100 km beyond the Saverne even further to the southwest located higher peaks of the Northern Vosges with snow mountain ( 961 m), Ungerberg (901 m) and Donon (1008 m ) identify.

To the west it overlooks the foreground first the headwaters of the Wieslauter (see Section waters), to the join the mountains in the area of Merzalben with castle Gräfenstein (437 m). On a cleared Verebnungsfläche is located 5 km away glues ( 475 m; view chance almost 100 percent), the highest village in the Palatinate. Going further to the west the great forests of the mountains into the more agricultural plateaus of Westricher plateau and the northeastern Lorraine. Are clearly visible parts of the city of Pirmasens (eg, water tower, 435 m, Distance 16 km; view chance 89 percent) and between 10 to 30 km from the height villages like Heltersberg (435 m), Hermersberg (430 m ) and Martin Height ( 420 m ), the latter conspicuous by wind turbines in particular. On the horizon, extending a distance of 40 to 50 km, the mountain and hills of Bliesgau and Saarkohlenwald forest in the Saarland, for example, the Great boots at St. Ingbert ( 397.2 m), the community Schiffweiler (354 m) the power plant at Bexbach (290 m; view chance 40 percent) and about the Höcherberg (518 m).

To the northwest the country level the Sickinger height limits the West Palatine plateau, behind which is about 40 km from the North Palatine Uplands with Potzberg ( 560.7 m) and Königsberg; spreads ( 569 m visibility chance 45 percent). ( Distance 60 km 568.2 m ) in the middle of Saarland and the hills of the Black Forest High Forest in the Hunsrück with the legacy head ( 816 m; distance 75 km), the highest mountain in Rhineland -Palatinate Even further north-west are on clear days the Schaumberg to see. Its continuation find this ridge in Soonwaldsteig and in the southwestern Taunus, which can also be perceived weather permitting.

To the north and north-east is seen in the foreground at a distance of two to 11 kilometers from the elongated ridge of the Franks pasture with Hort head ( 606.2 m; with transmitter), Mosisberg ( 608.7 m) and Eschkopf ( 608.3 m). Behind prolong Schindhübel ( 571 m) and Bloskülb ( 570.2 m) at Elmstein the central ridge to the northeast, the good visibility of 42 km distant mountain massif of Mount Thunder ( 686.5 m; view chance 42 percent), the highest mountain of the Palatinate is dominated. Further to the northeast, a distance of about 25 km, close Drachenfels ( 570.8 m; view chance 72 percent) and Rear stubble head ( 566.2 m), the highest mountains of the northern Palatinate Forest, the panoramic views from.

Attractions and Tourism

Accessibility

From the south, leave about 1 km west of Wilgartswiesen the federal highway 10 and travel on the K 56 Hermersbergerhof direction, which is reached after about 7 km. From here one uses a narrow, shared for public transport forest road which touches a small, situated at the Luitpold stone trail parking lot after about 1 km. From this parking lot ( " Blue Cross " and ways Logo of the Palatinate forest path PWV mark) are walking on a forest trail marked yet back down about 400 meters, and up to the summit area about 50 meters in altitude to deal with.

From the north it also uses the said forest road, about 4 km to the east glues branches off from the main road 496 and after 3.6 km at the Dutch Klotz reached another trail parking lot. From there, a narrow forest path ( marks " Blue Cross ' and paths Logo of the Palatinate forest path ) after about 700 meters and the overcoming of 60 meters above sea level to the summit.

For non-motorized visitors to the White Mountain, it is advisable to use public transport Queichtalstrecke Deutsche Bahn in direction Vorderpfalz to Wilgartswiesen or Hauenstein. From Wilgartswiesen you reach the white mountain on a marked trail (marked " Blue Cross " ) is 8 km away, this is a gradient of almost 400 meters above sea level to overcome. The same applies to Hauenstein, from where you can " red - white line " and the way the logo Palatinate Forest path uses a hiking trail with the mark, reaching the White Mountain Peak is 9 km away and also almost 400 meters above sea level. For visitors from the west (West Palatinate, Saarland ) it is possible to go by train to Munchweiler or Rodalben and from there take the bus to Merzalben. From here also a marked trail runs (marked " blue - white line " or logo of the Palatinate forest path ) in about 9 km to the summit of White Mountain; In this variant have to be managed about 350 meters.

Hiking

The vast, semi-natural deciduous and mixed forests of the White Mountain area are completely deserted, are uncut and therefore equipped with a diverse flora and fauna. This is for the visitor the experience of these peculiarities in the center, they form the actual sights of this natural sanctuary.

To the Summit

As already described in section accessibility lead from the parking lots at the Luitpold stone or Dutch Klotz short walks in 10 to 20 minutes walk to the summit of White Mountain. A slightly longer walk starts at Hermersbergerhof and uses the already mentioned several times trail marked with " blue cross ". He requires for round-trip one hours walking time, with a total climb of about 80 meters above sea level is mastered. Larger target walks are for example from the nearest forest communities Wilgartswiesen, Hauenstein, Hinterweidenthal, Merzalben, glues possible, with markings of the Palatinate Forest Association as blue cross, red and white, blue red and blue white line, or the directional Logo of the Palatinate forest path can provide guidance (see also section accessibility ). Because of their length ( round trip about 15 to 25 km) and significant slopes ( 300 to 500 meters Total elevation ) these walks are to be designed as day hikes. They run exclusively through dense forests, where neither villages nor for standing forest restaurants and, with the exception of Merz Albener hut, no huts in the Palatinate Forest Association to be touched.

In the White Mountain area

The trail parking spaces at the Luitpold stone, block or Dutch Hermersbergerhof are the starting point of a number of smaller and larger circular walks. An unmarked trail minor of about 5 km in length begins at the Luitpold stone and into the core zone of the biosphere reserve to otter cliffs that provide a comprehensive view to the southwest of the headwaters of the Wieslauter. In the same way you return to the Luitpold stone and then circled the White Mountains on its western and north-western side. It reached the Dutch log and uses from there marked with blue cross trail that leads back over the summit of White Mountain to the starting point at the Luitpold stone.

On a larger circular walk of about 19 km in length is also traversed parts of the core zone " headwaters of the Wieslauter " with its characteristic forest and rock art. From Luitpold stone is first uses the " Forstmeisterweg " ( PWV - marking blue - white line ) to reach across the Narrow neck and Wartenbachtal about 7 km Gräfenstein the castle or the Merz Albener castle. Subsequently, the circular walk leads either to a marked with a green cross trail or the Palatinate Forest Path to Winschertberg and Muhlenberg, the Palatinate Forest path nor a lookout on the Winschertkopf touched. Stay on this trail, which now meanders along the western slope of the Hort head and comes back to the Dutchman block; from there hiked it as already described the white mountain and finally reached again the Luitpold stone. Another day hike with a length of about 17 km and a total climb of about 530 meters above sea level runs from Hermersbergerhof or Luitpold stone with the mark blue cross, first to the summit of White Mountain, and then down to the Dutchman block. From there forward the marking blue - red line in the belonging to Wilgartswiesen secluded hamlet Hofstätten where a hiking trail with the PWV - mark " blue - yellow line " branches and after crossing the Eider river valley to the currently closed Ausflugsgaststätte " Annweilerer forest house" leads; From here a trip to Cherry rocks with panoramic views including on Trifels and Rehberg is possible. It now follows the blue- yellow marking down into Kaltenbachtal and change there for the trail marked with " blue - white line " that leads to a steady rise back to Hermersbergerhof or Luitpold stone.

The White Mountain area is crossed by several long-distance paths. For example, leads to the already mentioned several times Palatinate Forest path on his sixth stage ( Merzalben -Hauenstein ), among others, to the summit of White Mountain ( see above). Also the main trail marked with the mark " Blue Cross " from the Palatinate Forest Club crosses the White Mountains. It runs - Kaiserslautern coming - through the vast forests of the northwest Palatinate Forest and reaches Johanniskreuz the Palatinate main watershed. From there, it crosses the Franks pasture, a core area of the Palatinate forest (see also Section natural spatial association ), while also exceeds the white mountain. He finally leaves at Wilgartswiesen the Middle Palatinate Forest and passes through a portion of the Wasgau until finally the Saint Germanshof near the French town of Wissembourg ( Wissembourg French ) of the end point of the hiking trail is reached.