European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 3, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                July 2007 stars and stripes Page 19 Uick trips photos by Steve and stripes each year about people visit Burg about an hour South of the Kaiserslautern military stunning views of the ver Dant Forest and German villages alone Are Worth the trip to the most popular Castle in Castle in the Clouds get exercise on hike to Germany Burg trifles by Steve Mraz stars and stripes perched on a Hilltop in an hour South of the Kaiserslautern military Burg trifles offers visitors a tour through time with stunning views of the surrounding the Small Castle dates to the Lith Century but work was done to it As recently As the red Stone Castle sits atop a Rocky outcropping that is Only reached after a roughly 20minute Uphill walk from a parking lot be sure to Wear a decent pair of walking a Bench is located along the Trail if you need to take a if you think that the walk might not be Worth youre about people visit this most popular Castle in Rhineland Pfalz each the views of the verdant Forest and Ger Man villages alone Are Worth the on a Clear Day you can see for including the nearby City of the main Tower was heightened in but some remains on site Date to the Lith despite the the Well maintained Castle keeps an old world feel and is True to its Middle age after paying your entry youll head up some More Steps and be atop the main Castle you also can Purchase a Short Guidebook on the Castle for a few euros when you pay your entry take time to soak in the views at each end of the narrow which have incredible panoramic if you need to use the there Are separate and clean mens and women facilities near the Northern end of the Castle after youve had your fill of the head for the castles Interior youll see a sign in Burg the dark Interior is a Welcome reprieve on a sunny summer inside youll see models of what the Castle looked like hundreds of years stones with pinkish hues were used to build the Castle Steps and spiral Stair the work attests to the craftsmanship that went into its a Large Ball room with Marble flooring and a wooden beam ceiling awaits visitors inside the Cas Stone chairs near the windows make a Nice spot to take a photo of a loved from the you can follow placards that Are set explaining the life and times of King Richard known As Richard the the famous English King was held captive at Burg trifles for about 20 Days in the Spring of the history exhibit can be read on 16 panels in Ger Man and heading youll see Stone columns used to support the Small Arches that sur round the upper Balcony of the on the Walls Are excerpts from books about castles in the you can see replicas of Royal jewels once kept at the if youre up to hike up a couple flights of Steps to the top of the castles main from the Tower 104 feet above the Castle youll have an 360degree View of the outlying also with the Castle parking lot visible Well below a View from Burg Trafeli main Tower shows just How narrow the Rocky ledge is that the Castle rests youll be Able to see just How far you came to get where you Are drink in your you definitely earned when youre Back head to the parking lot where you can finish your trip with a Beer and a pretzel at a snack stand near the Trail email Steve Mraz at mra2s@estrlpes.osd.mil. Peter and stripes on the it directions from take l503 to stay on b48 through a heavily forested area for about 20 when b48 take Bio toward just after the second Tunnel on get off in Annweiler and follow signs toward Burg the signs Are Brown with White letter the drive from Kaiserslautern takes about an times entry times Are As follows from 1 to March 31 9 to 5 from april 1 to 30 9 to 6 from 1 to 30 9 to s last entry is always 30 minutes before closing Burg trifles is closed in de costs Entrance is euros for or euros per person in groups of 20 or seniors pay children get in for 1 and family admission is parking costs 1 euro for motorcycles and euros for tour books in English Are available at the Castle for 2 to 3 food a snack stand with ice Cream bars and souvenirs is at the Trail near the parking lot that leads to the outdoor tables with umbrellas Are near a sit Down restaurant with a larger menu is across the main parking information Call the Trifel land tourism Bureau at 063462200 or visit dogs Are not allowed at the Steve Mraz