Our last hike in 2020 was again in the Palatinate Forest around the village of Böllenborn. By now we had reached some fitness and the route was thus 25 km long and led over numerous hills through forests and meadows over lonely paths through an incipient winter landscape. The elevation gain was supposedly 1200 m. However, I can not really believe this value.
In this video, I go on a hike around the village of Böllenborn, set in the heart of the Palatinate Forest (Pfälzerwald) in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. This hike took place in winter 2020, when the landscape was quiet, bare, and atmospheric, showing a completely different side of one of Germany’s largest forest regions.
The small village of Böllenborn is surrounded by dense woodland, rolling hills, and sandstone formations that are typical of the Pfälzerwald. While most hikers think of this area in spring or autumn, winter brings its own special atmosphere. The trails are still and calm, with empty paths leading into forests that feel timeless. Without leaves on the trees, the structure of the landscape becomes more visible, opening up views and perspectives that are hidden in other seasons.
From the village, the hike leads quickly into the forest slopes. Tall pines and bare oaks create a contrast between evergreen needles and the silhouettes of leafless branches. The light in winter is softer, and when the sun shines through the trees, it creates long shadows across the paths. On cloudy days, the atmosphere turns mysterious, with mist hanging in the valleys and the sandstone cliffs appearing suddenly out of the grey.
One of the highlights of hiking in the Palatinate Forest is discovering the red sandstone formations that rise from the woods. Around Böllenborn, many of these cliffs and outcrops appear along the trails, their warm colours standing out against the cool tones of winter. Some are dramatic walls of stone, while others are smaller shapes eroded into strange forms. These rocks are reminders of the natural forces that shaped the region over millions of years.
The quietness of winter adds something special to the hike. There are fewer hikers, no sounds of busy villages, and little movement beyond the wind in the trees or the occasional call of a bird. This calm makes it easier to notice the details: frozen puddles, patterns of frost on branches, or the texture of moss and lichen on the sandstone. Even without snow, winter hiking in Böllenborn feels refreshing and full of discovery.
The views from the ridges are another reward. With the trees bare, wide panoramas open up across the Pfälzerwald hills. Villages lie quietly in the valleys, smoke rising from chimneys, while the rolling forest landscape stretches far into the distance. On especially clear days, the horizon seems endless, showing how vast this forest region truly is.
Cultural traces also appear along the way. Like much of the Palatinate, the area around Böllenborn is dotted with old ruins, chapels, and signs of past settlement. Some paths pass near remains of medieval structures or wayside crosses, blending human history into the natural scenery. These details remind hikers that the forest has always been a place of life, work, and refuge.
Winter changes the rhythm of the hike. Days are shorter, the air is crisp, and the forest feels more intimate. Every step has a sense of calm and focus, making it easier to enjoy the simple act of walking. For those who love solitude and quiet landscapes, this is one of the best times to visit.
This video captures the impression of hiking around Böllenborn in winter 2020: the forest paths, the sandstone cliffs, the wide views, and the calm atmosphere that make the Palatinate Forest so unique. It is not a detailed hiking guide but a look at the feeling of being here in the cold season, when the landscape slows down and shows its more subtle side.
For travelers and hikers, Böllenborn offers an authentic entry point into the Pfälzerwald, away from crowds and busy routes. Whether with snow on the ground or simply under the muted light of winter skies, it is a place where nature, history, and atmosphere come together in a rewarding hike.