Kletterführer Pfalz

Overview

Kletterführer Pfalz is a comprehensive, modern guide to the sandstone towers and walls of the Palatinate (Pfalz) between Landau, Pirmasens, and the French border—Germany’s second great sandstone playground after Saxon Switzerland. It captures the region’s character well: medieval castles on forested ridges, hearty village gastronomy, and climbing that ranges from fierce cracks to honeycombed walls and delicate slabs.

Coverage and structure

The book is organized into 12 sub-areas with clear overview maps and crag-by-crag chapters, then capped by an A–Z gazetteer and a mobile cam conversion table. Expect the major venues: Annweiler, Rinnthal & Wilgartswiesen, Lug, Hauenstein, Vorderweidenthal, Busenberg, Bärenbrunner Tal, Erfweiler, Dahn, Bruchweiler/Bundenthal, Schönau/Eppenbrunn, and Hinterweidenthal/Clausen. Front matter adds real value: concise geology, conservation guidance and seasonal bird closures, local ethics (“what not to do”), a short climbing history of the Südpfalz, and a curated “Top 100.”

Field usability and content quality

For route-finding, the color topos are crisp, with route names/grades, bolt counts where relevant, and seriousness hints (E-grades). Each crag entry typically includes:

• GPS coordinates, aspect/sun, approach and parking notes, and child-friendliness of the base
• Route totals and grade spread, highlighting whether easier lines exist
• Access alerts (e.g., bird bans) and practical remarks (noise near the B10, public transport to Rinnthal/Wilgartswiesen)

The selection balances classic trad and modern testpieces: from the Große Ostverschneidung (Kuhfels, 6−) and Bogenverschneidung (Drei Felsen, 7−) to Petrapfeiler (Dingentalturm, 8−), Ostwandriss (Haubenthaler Fels, 9−), and power lines like B10 (Buchholzfelsen, 9+) or “Schwabbel, die Qualle” (Mühlfels, 10+/11−). Shorter venues such as Strackfelsen offer well-bolted mid-grades for after-work sessions.

Who it’s for

This is foremost a trad-minded area: fixed gear is sparse compared with Frankenjura, and competent use of nuts and cams is essential. Leaders comfortable from 6 to 8+ will find huge variety, while beginners still have enjoyable “Normalwege” at select towers. A bundled three-year app code (iOS/Android via Vertical-Life) is a welcome digital companion. The only real drawback is portability—the single volume is hefty.

Bottom line

Detailed, thoughtfully structured, and true to the Pfalz ethic, this guide is an authoritative companion for anyone serious about climbing in the Palatinate sandstone. Strongly recommended as the definitive resource for planning, navigating, and savoring routes across the region.

Details

Weight

2400g

Pages

616

Publisher

Panico Alpinverlag