Hidden Gems

Natural monument “Dicke Eiche” near Hauenstein

The „Dicke Eiche“ (Thick Oak) was an imposing, approximately 300-year-old sessile oak. It is a registered natural monument and a landmark of the region. In 1994, the natural monument was deliberately damaged with a chainsaw, preventing the tree from transporting nutrients and ultimately leading to its death. In 2011, the oak had to be felled for safety reasons. However, a new, young oak was planted in the same spot later that same year. The oak also lends its name to the neighboring „Thick Oak“ hiking lodge and can only be reached on foot or by mountain bike.

Palatine World Axis on the Kleine Roßrücken near Waldleiningen

The so-called „(Palatine) World Axis,“ since 1964, is a landmark originally used for surveying purposes on the 459-meter-high Kleiner Roßrück, west of

the village of Waldleiningen in the municipality association of Enkenbach-Alsenborn (Kaiserslautern district).

The legend of the world axis is also fascinating and can be read in the chapter

„Legends and Stories„.

Sundial on the Reiserberg

The project idea for the construction of a sundial on the highest mountain of the municipality association of Otterbach-Otterberg, the Reiserberg in Schallodenbach, originated in 2017. In 2020, the sundial, consisting of twelve sandstone obelisks with the coats of arms of the twelve local municipalities of the association community and a shadow cast, could finally be inaugurated. Additionally, there are reclining benches and an information board at the sundial. Various hiking trails, including the Planet Trail, lead to the sundial today.

Former Tivoli Park in Höheischweiler

The Tivoli Park in Höheischweiler opened in 1979 and quickly became a major tourist attraction. With its unique offerings – a Western village, circus, summer toboggan run, animal enclosures, and other attractions – the Tivoli Park was a true landmark in the Southwest Palatinate region. However, repeated disputes with the district administration over missing building permits forced the park to close in 1986. Today, only remnants of the former Western village remain.