Eschkopf

Dogs Unknown

This path is part of the Rodalben tour in the Naturpark Pfälzerwald. This portion of the trail takes you between the outskirts of Johanneskreuz and Leimen. True to its name, the trail passes through the dense forest of the Pfälzerwald. (Wald is German for forest).

Much of this segment is along dirt roads or singletracks. From Johanneskreuz, you start with a short climb and then enjoy 4 km (2.5 mi) hiking at the 500 m (1,600 ft) contour. Then you begin a steep 100-m (300-ft) singletrack climb to the summit of the Eschkopf (608 m; 1995 ft). You'll cross the B48 highway in the middle of this climb. There is an observation tower on the summit that offers a great view.

From the Eschkopf, it's mostly downhill again along dirt roads and singletracks down to Leimen. There are a couple of historical markers (Kapitainshütte) and (Preußenstein) near the 8-km (5-mi) mark. These mark the spots of a Prussian captain's hut and observation point dating from the time of the French Revolution.