Katzweiler: Open-Air Theatre, Mill and Walking Routes
Accommodation in Katzweiler
In Katzweiler, open-air theatre, village history and various routes through the countryside come together. There is also a landscape pond with a playground and Kneipp pool, as well as horse-riding activities. This variety offers different reasons to choose it as a holiday destination: you can plan your stay around theatre, the history of the mill, outdoor activities or time by the pond.
Open-Air Theatre and Village Mill
The natural stage of the Katzweiler Open-Air Theatre is on the edge of the village in the Eselsdelle, a small valley. The stage lies between two wooded slopes. The programme includes children's theatre, musicals, drama and boulevard comedies. The theatre programme therefore ranges from productions for young audiences to drama and comedy. Which performance is right for your stay depends on which production you would like to see.
The village mill offers a different perspective on local history. It dates back to 1756 and has an overshot waterwheel measuring 8.40 metres. The village mill wheel is considered the largest mill wheel in southwestern Germany; the mill is no longer in operation. If you are interested in the mill, you can explore its history via the Mill Walking Trail: the trail starts at the village square and leads to the village mill after about 100 metres. The old weigh house also stands at the village square on Waagstraße. It is now used by the tourism association and the open-air theatre; advance ticket sales for the open-air theatre also take place there.
Walking Routes and Landscape
For a walk with a choice of route length, the accessible Erlebnisweg (Experience Trail), opened in 2012, is a good option. It passes sights and places to stop for refreshments and can be walked as a 3-kilometre or 6.7-kilometre loop. These two stated distances give you a clear guide when choosing your route. You can also take a detour to the landscape pond from the Mill Walking Trail.
A longer circular route is the Himmelstour, established in mid-2019. It is around 9 kilometres long and leads from Katzweiler via Himmelsblick, Engelsberg and Himmelreich back to the starting point. If you are interested in Nordic walking, Katzweiler has three marked routes. The Nordic walking trail network comprises over 20 kilometres of signposted paths through woodland and fields. The routes therefore differ both in their stated lengths and in the landscapes they pass through.
The landscape pond lies between the Lauter and the railway line and covers about 4,000 square metres. A path with benches runs around the pond. There is also a Kneipp pool and a 2,000-square-metre playground right beside it. The Kneipp pool is used especially by hikers and cyclists during the summer months. Families with children will find a dedicated playground at the pond; if you would like to combine your outing with a walk, you can plan a detour to the pond from the Mill Walking Trail.
Horse Riding and Places to Eat
Bonanza Ranch offers wagon rides, riding lessons for beginners and advanced riders, rides through the countryside and pony rides. The options vary depending on whether you are looking for a ride in a wagon, a riding lesson, a trail ride or a pony ride. The ranch is also home to the Bonanza Ranch Reiterstube, a restaurant with a beer garden.
Other places to explore include Trippstadt, Rodenbach, Heiligenmoschel, Otterberg, Frankenstein, Niederkirchen, Eulenbis and Fischbach.
For the broader travel guide: Kaiserslautern.
