Emperors Path

Short Description

Experience nature along the paths of German emperors and kings.

Description

In Bad Harzburg, the hosting location of the 114th German Hiking Day in 2014, the Kaiserweg begins. Before starting the hike, a visit to the castle ruins on Burgberg is worthwhile. According to legend, in 1073, Heinrich IV fled through a secret passage in the castle well to escape the Saxons along the Kaiserweg.

To reach the starting point of the hike, you can take the Burgberg cable car or the Herzogweg. From Antoniusplatz, where the Saxons camped nearly 1000 years ago to conquer the Harzburg, the path leads over Säperstelle and Reuschenteich to Molkenhaus. At the Hopfensäcke, two typical Harz granite cliffs, we reach the highest point of the Kaiserweg. You then reach the former inn Oderbrück, and the Kaiserweg leads from there through the source area of the Oder, partially over medieval cobblestone paths. You reach the inn Königskrug and cross the B4, hiking on the Old Harzburger Street past Braunlage and Lausebuche to reach Kapellenfleck. Here you will find the remains of a chapel from the early Middle Ages, a combination of hostel and chapel. Via the Wayside Cross Helenenruh, you will soon reach the town of Walkenried and its Cistercian monastery. From there, the path continues eastward and merges with the Karst Trail. You cross the border to Thuringia and pass through Juliushütte, Ellrich, and the Mittelbau Dora concentration camp memorial to reach the northern Thuringian city of Nordhausen. In the Middle Ages, there was a royal court in Nordhausen that was frequently visited by German kings up to the late Staufer period. The path then leads from Nordhausen through Heringen and Hamma to the Badra Switzerland, from whose mountains there is a beautiful view of the Harz. Then the path leads over the Kyffhäuser and finally to Tilleda in Saxony-Anhalt, where it ends at the local royal palace.

Route Description

Bad Harzburg Antoniusplatz - Säperstelle - Reuscheteich - Echoplatz - Molkenhaus - Shelter Luisenbank - Hopfensäcke - Oderbrück - Königskrug - Old Harzburger Street - Lausebuche - Kapellenfleck - Helenenruh - Walkenried Cistercian Monastery - Juliushütte - Ellrich - Wolffleben - Mittelbau Dora Concentration Camp Memorial - Nordhausen - Heringen - Hamma - Auleben - Badra - Kyffhäuser Monument - Royal Palace Tilleda

Further Information

Regional Association Harz e.V.

Hohe Straße 6
06484 Quedlinburg
Tel: 03946 96410
[email protected]
www.harzregion.de

Parking Information

Paid parking facilities are available at the valley station of the Burgberg cable car and in the large parking lot on B4.