Grummbierbroode Hohe List (Wasgau)

Grummbierbroode – an old farmer's ritual

Roasting potatoes in an open fire is one of the oldest ways of preparing the tuber in Germany. Farmers and hikers would throw potatoes into the hot ashes of a campfire, let them simmer there, and enjoy them hot, with crispy skin and a floury, soft interior. This simple, archaic enjoyment has almost been lost today – it is only preserved in its original form in a few places. The Hohe List in Wasgau is one of these places.

Hohe List – Mountain Hut and Natural Area

The Hohe List is a prominent elevation in the southern Pfälzerwald, in the middle of Wasgau. At the top of the hill is a serviced mountain hut, operated in cooperation with the Pfälzerwald-Verein. Its location – high in the forest, with a view over the Felsenland – makes it a popular day destination for hikers and the ideal setting for a traditional festival like the Grummbierbroode.

Potato Festival on an Autumn Day

October is potato harvest time in the Palatinate. The freshly harvested local potatoes are roasted in the open fire on the festival day – a spectacle that offers not only culinary pleasure but also sensory experience: the smell of the fire, the burning beech logs, the crackling sound of the ashes, the slowly maturing tubers, which are finally retrieved from the fire with wooden skewers. Served with salt, butter, a hint of quark or sour cream – that's all you need.

Hut Cuisine and Palatinate Wine

Those who want more than just Grumbiere will find the full hut menu: Saumagen (a traditional Palatinate specialty), Bratwurst, Leberknödel, grilled steaks, sausage salad, accompanied by Palatinate wine, draft beer, and Federweißer (seasonal in October). The combination of simple tradition (Grummbierbroode) and hearty hut cuisine makes the festival attractive to a wide audience.

Hiking as the Program

Like the forest and wine festival in September, the Grummbierbroode is best conceived as a day trip: ascent on foot via marked hiking trails from Busenberg or Dahn (approx. 45 minutes to 1 hour), refreshments at the Hohe List hut, hike back in the late afternoon. This combination of hiking and socializing has been the recipe for success of Palatinate hut festivals for generations.