Deidesheimer Hütte

The Deidesheimer Hütte, also known as the Waldschenke im Mühltal, is a Schutzhütte (mountain hut) of the Pfälzerwald-Verein (Palatinate Forest Club) operated by its Deidesheim local branch. It stands at roughly 218–225 metres above sea level on a clearing in the Mühltal valley within the Palatinate Forest Nature Park, about 1.5 km west of the built-up edge of the small Palatinate town of Deidesheim and around 800 metres from the Mühltal hiking car park. The hut houses a restaurant but does not offer overnight accommodation. The site is a classic excursion destination for the region: hikers, riders, mountain bikers, hunters and families with children all use it, and the official website emphasises its rustic, idyllic setting, its several cosily furnished guest rooms, play facilities for children, a stream in front of the hut and a large beer garden. The kitchen is described as hearty Palatinate fare prepared from seasonal and regional ingredients according to traditional recipes, accompanied by wines from Deidesheim and the surrounding area — one of Germany's best-known wine-growing regions. The hut also hosts private celebrations, birthdays and company events, and takes reservations by telephone. Historically, the hut was built in 1907 by Kurt Gießen under the name "Waldschenke" and was run in the warm season. In the 1920s Gießen handed it over to the Deidesheim local branch of the Pfälzerwald-Verein. It was extended in 1958 and again in 1963 and 1964, and a further expansion in 1986 gave it its present form. A memorial stone placed beside the hut in 2006 commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Deidesheim branch of the club. Since 2021 the Deidesheimer Hütte, together with the other houses of the Pfälzerwald-Verein, has been part of the German UNESCO Commission's intangible cultural heritage listing "Pfälzerwaldhütten-Kultur" (Palatinate Forest Hut Culture). Two historic hiking trails pass the hut: the Geißbockweg from Lambrecht to Deidesheim, along which walkers accompany a bridal couple on the Tuesday after Pentecost as part of the traditional Geißbockversteigerung (billy-goat auction), and the Eselsweg, which recalls the historic practice of transporting flour from the Benjental mills to Deidesheim by donkey after the neighbouring Electoral Palatinate set up a customs barrier. Nearby destinations include the Waldberg with its restaurant and gymnasts' memorial, the Eckkopf with its tower, the Stabenberg and the Kirchberg with the Heidenlöcher and Michaelskapelle.

The Deidesheimer Hütte was built in 1907 by Kurt Gießen and originally bore the name "Waldschenke". In its early years it was operated only during the warm season. In the 1920s Gießen transferred the hut to the Deidesheim local branch (Ortsgruppe) of the Pfälzerwald-Verein, the Palatinate Forest Club, which has run it ever since. The building was extended in 1958 and again in 1963 and 1964. A further expansion in 1986 gave the hut its current appearance. In 2006 a memorial stone was erected beside the hut to mark the 100th anniversary of the Deidesheim branch of the club. Since 2021 the Deidesheimer Hütte has been part of the intangible cultural heritage of Germany as recognised by the German UNESCO Commission, under the entry "Pfälzerwaldhütten-Kultur", together with the other huts of the Pfälzerwald-Verein. Today the hut operates as a restaurant and excursion destination in the Mühltal valley, welcoming hikers, riders, mountain bikers, hunters and families, and hosting private and corporate events.

• 2021

  The hut becomes part of the German UNESCO Commission's intangible cultural heritage listing "Pfälzerwaldhütten-Kultur".

• 2006

  A memorial stone is placed beside the hut for the 100th anniversary of the Deidesheim branch of the Pfälzerwald-Verein.

• 1986

  Another expansion gives the hut its present form.

• 1963

  Further extension of the hut.

• 1958

  The hut is extended.

• 1920

  Gießen hands the hut over to the Deidesheim local branch of the Pfälzerwald-Verein (in the 1920s).

• 1907

  Kurt Gießen builds the hut under the name "Waldschenke".

Rustic, idyllic Palatinate Forest excursion restaurant offering seasonal, regional food and wine in a historic club hut.

• Hearty Palatinate cuisine

  Traditional recipes with seasonal and regional ingredients.

• Regional wines

  Wines from Deidesheim and the surrounding Palatinate wine region.

• Beer garden

  Large outdoor seating area with a view of children's play facilities.

• Event hosting

  Private celebrations, birthdays and company events by reservation.

1. 1Deidesheimer Hütte – Pfälzer Lebensart. Pur.deidesheimer-huette.de
2. 2Deidesheimer Hütte – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Deidesheimer Hütte – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org