The outlying centre of Hertlingshausen lies in the northern Palatinate Forest and is crossed by the river Eckbach, which rises in the part of the municipal area known as Kleinfrankreich (“Little France”).

Count Georg II of Leiningen had a new settlement laid out in a clearing in the early 18th century for Huguenots who had fled persecution, and in 1726 he named it after his son Georg Karl I August Ludwig of Leiningen-Westerburg-Neuleiningen.

The municipal election held on 7 June 2009 yielded the following results:[3] The municipality's highest office is held by Dr. Werner Majunke (CDU) who has two deputies, Michael Schumacher (CDU) and Valentin Hoffmann (SPD).

In the TuS Hertlingshausen 1904, the municipality has a local sport club offering above all football and gymnastics.

The Naturfreundehaus Rahnenhof (“Nature Lovers’ House”), lying in the woods somewhat west of Hertlingshausen, is known well beyond the region.