Hinterweidenthal Fishing Festival and Duck Race

Angling Club as Host

The Hinterweidenthal Angling Club maintains the fish stocks of the Wieslauter and hosts the annual fishing festival as its most important social event. The ASV is part of a dense network of clubs in the Dahner Felsenland, which together support the year-round festival life of the region. The combination of club identity (angling) and festival concept (fish as a culinary focus) makes the fishing festival a unique form of event.

Freshly Prepared Fish

The culinary aspect of the festival is the program: trout from the streams of the Wasgau, zander, pollock, and occasionally carp or eel are freshly prepared on-site. The smoking oven, grill, and deep fryer work in parallel; the aroma of grilled fish wafts through the village square, attracting visitors. Side dishes such as potato salad, farmer's bread, and salads complement the offerings. Those who don't like fish can find classic Palatinate festival dishes like bratwurst or steak as alternatives.

The Duck Race – Highlight for Children

The duck race on Sunday is the attraction for families. Hundreds of numbered yellow plastic ducks are released simultaneously into the Wieslauter, which flows through the center of the village. The current carries them a short distance downstream; the top places are determined at a marked finish line. The entry fee for a duck is low, and the proceeds go to the club's activities. The winners – usually awarded with non-cash prizes – are announced afterward.

Hinterweidenthal on the Wieslauter

Hinterweidenthal is located in the southern Dahner Felsenland on the Wieslauter, a low mountain river that flows through the Palatinate Forest towards Lauter. The Wieslauter shapes the valley scenically and provides the natural venue for the fishing festival. Hinterweidenthal is primarily famous for the Teufelstisch (Devil's Table) – a spectacular sandstone formation that is one of the landmarks of the Wasgau. A visit to the fishing festival can be ideally combined with a hike to the Teufelstisch.