Schallodenbach: Sundial, Trails and Church History

Schallodenbach can be discovered through two distinctive features: a walk-in sundial made of local sandstone on the Reiserberg and the Catholic parish church of St. Laurentius, with its unusual foundations. Named hiking and cycling routes add to the character of the area. The sundial combines an accessible design with civic symbolism.

The sundial on the Reiserberg

Twelve large stones stand in a circle on a hill, forming the walk-in sundial. Its obelisks are made of local sandstone. Since 2020, each of the twelve stone obelisks has borne the coat of arms of a municipality and the numeral for the corresponding hour. The modern stone circle symbolizes the coming together of twelve local municipalities in a new collective municipality. In this way, the sundial can be experienced not only as a timepiece but also as a symbol of this municipal union. At the same time, it offers a vivid way to experience the development and tradition of sundials.

Hiking and cycling routes with different local connections

The Schallodenbach Panorama Trail starts in Schallodenbach. The sundial on the Reiserberg is also on the Planet Circular Hiking Trail and the North Palatinate Heights Cycle Route. A 2022 annual report by the collective municipality lists the 5.2-kilometer “Sonnenuhrweg” (Sundial Trail) as newly designated; check the current signage on site if you plan to include it in your itinerary. The Odenbach Valley Cycle Route runs along the main street through Schallodenbach and continues from the edge of the village on a cycle path alongside the road towards Niederkirchen. This lets you distinguish between a hiking trail that starts in the village, the routes connected to the sundial, and a more precisely described cycling route.

St. Laurentius and the history of the site

The Catholic parish church of St. Laurentius adds a building-history theme to the sundial. It was built on a site where a church had already stood in the early 18th century. The church is founded partly on rock and partly on a pile structure. For travelers interested in culture, the history of the church site and a distinctive architectural feature come together here.

Another highlight within the broader Kaiserslautern destination

The Mehlinger Heide is considered the largest heathland in southern Germany. Its approximately 1.5-kilometer-long heathland discovery trail features information boards and activity stations; the heath is also connected to the Palatinate Forest hiking trail network. Guided tours are available at any time. Check trail details on site before setting out. These heathland experiences are part of the broader Kaiserslautern destination and form a distinct regional highlight.

Choose accommodation based on your preferred focus

If you are looking for accommodation in Schallodenbach, the sundial, local trail connections and St. Laurentius can help you choose the kind of experience you want. If you are also planning to visit destinations within the broader Kaiserslautern area, take their locations into account as well when choosing where to stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Landstuhl, Queidersbach, Lambsborn, Enkenbach-Alsenborn, Frankenstein, Erlenbach, Heiligenmoschel, Krickenbach.

Back to the overview of the broader destination: Kaiserslautern.