Hochstadt (Palatinate): Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Locally promoted sights and activities in Hochstadt include the loess ravines, the Hochstadt Tower, also known as the Houschder Winzerturm, a wine trail, and rides on the draisine railway. The Hochstadt Tower was built in 2004 by the Hochstadt land consolidation participants’ association and commemorates the land consolidation carried out in 2002. As a viewpoint near Hochstadt, it overlooks an extensive area of vineyards; visits at sunrise or sunset are described as particularly worthwhile. The Südpfalz Draisine Railway runs from Bornheim via Dreihof, Hochstadt, Zeiskam, and Lustadt to Westheim and back, covering up to 24 kilometers. Those wishing to rent a holiday apartment in Hochstadt (Palatinate) can then continue their accommodation search.

Landscape and Views

In the Hochstadt land consolidation area, the first loess ravine was restored between 1990 and 1992. A second, larger and deeper loess ravine with an adjoining south-facing loess embankment was built in Hochstadt in 2002. The loess ravines provide habitats for heat- and drought-loving plants and animals, including lizards, snails, and wild bees.

Outside Hochstadt, the “Im Rebenmeer” picnic area between the vineyards offers shady natural-wood seating for hikers, cyclists, and day-trippers. The access directions lead from the parking lot at Oberdorf Cemetery 850 meters along the agricultural road, followed by another 300 meters to the left.

Culture and History

Hochstadt is first documented in a deed from Lorsch Abbey dating from 776. The Protestant parish church of St. George on Hauptstraße is a listed Baroque hall church dating from 1749 onward; its Neo-Gothic tower dates from 1864. The Protestant church at Hauptstraße 64 is also listed as a Baroque hall church dating from 1727.

Hochstadt’s Jewish cemetery is listed as a heritage zone with 93 gravestones; the oldest gravestone dates from 1864. At Friedhofstraße 7, there is also a listed Baroque half-timbered house dating from 1751.

Cycling and Regional Routes

The Südpfalz Cycle Route runs through Hochstadt past vineyards toward Klein- and Großfischlingen. The route is described as gently hilly and suitable for families with children.

Wine and Regional Products

Obsthof Wicke’s farm café serves breakfast with products from the farm and the region, as well as coffee, homemade cakes, ice cream, waffles, juices, and small seasonal dishes. Obsthof Wicke produces more than 40 varieties of apples and pears, as well as nashis, plums, mirabelle plums, peaches, and nectarines.

The Schweder family has operated Weingut Schweder in Hochstadt since 1898. The winery manages 19 hectares and focuses on Burgundy varieties and Piwi grape varieties grown on deep loamy loess soils around Hochstadt. Weingut Hörner is located on a resettler farm on the western outskirts of Hochstadt. It manages around 30 hectares of its own vineyards and describes its viticulture as modern and close to nature.

Weingut Rummel manages around 16 hectares around Hochstadt planted with modern and traditional grape varieties. Its vineyards around Hochstadt lie on calcareous, partly sandy loess-clay soils.

Further destinations can be accessed directly: Birkweiler, Gleiszellen-Gleishorbach, Billigheim-Ingenheim, Münchweiler Am Klingbach, Dörrenbach, Venningen, Rinnthal, and Sankt Martin.

For the higher-level travel overview: Southern Wine Route.