Discover Erfenbach: Bachbahn, Mining and Forest

Erfenbach combines vivid local history with forest experiences and special collections.

Culture between the Bachbahn and Craftsmanship

The BachbahnMuseum presents the economic and social history of the former Bachbahn railway. Models of the railway stations, depictions of the transport infrastructure and a model railway with around 180 metres of track vividly illustrate technological change. In addition, the museum’s “Haltepunkt Kunst” exhibition displays sculptures and paintings by Erfenbach artist Rudolf Blanz. This allows the museum visit to be viewed from both a historical and an artistic perspective.

The Erfenbach Farmhouse is a listed architectural gem and was restored from 1993 to 1996. A small museum room contains the original workshop of a shoemaker.

Another independent collection is dedicated to stones and mining. Dieter’s Stone and Miner Collection covers an exhibition area of more than 35 m² and displays mining equipment, minerals, fossils and selected stones from around 130 sites around Kaiserslautern. Also on display are mine lamps ranging from pine-splinter torches to modern rechargeable lamps. Life-size figures wear traditional miners’ parade uniforms from Saarland, the Ore Mountains, Austria-Hungary, Upper Bavaria and Upper Silesia.

Church and Historical Details

The Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception of St. Mary was built in 1927 in the neo-Baroque style. After being completely destroyed by fire during the Second World War, it was rebuilt in a similar form and reopened in 1950. Its appearance is characterised by white plaster, a gable roof covered with red tiles over the nave, and red sandstone surrounds on the windows and doors. The historic part of the cemetery also features a typical sandstone wall and valuable old lime trees.

Forest and Trails for Different Holiday Activities

Those wishing to include some exercise after their cultural experiences can consider the “Forest Bathing between Erzhütten and Erfenbach” walk. The route takes about one hour, is 3 km long and is suitable for children and those seeking a leisurely outing. Another destination in the forest can be reached from the car park on the power-line road between Erzhütten and Erfenbach: Follow the signs to the “forest pool”, about 15 minutes on foot.

The Lautrer Children’s Forest was created on an approximately 10,000 m² forest area between Erzhütten and Erfenbach that had been devastated by Cyclone Kyrill in January 2007. Together with the walk, this landscape setting provides an opportunity not to limit your stay to museum visits. In early 2018, a brewery was also established in the former pigsty of the Schermer farm, where a dark, naturally cloudy beer was brewed from three preferred malt varieties.

Erfenbach as a Starting Point for Your Planning

When choosing your holiday apartment in Erfenbach, you can use your personal daily rhythm and the cultural or nature experiences you desire as a guide for planning your trip.

For further orientation, you can also view Rodenbach, Mehlingen, Krickenbach, Hauptstuhl, Fischbach, Schallodenbach, Schopp and Katzweiler.

To the overarching travel overview: Kaiserslautern.