Castle Falkenstein - Selketal

Short description

During the tour, Burg Falkenstein with its two outer baileys is visited, followed by a longer hike in the Selketal nature reserve.

Description

The only preserved castle in the Harz Mountains, Burg Falkenstein, is located directly on the route. It is mainly known for Eike von Repgow, who translated the Saxon Law into German here. The castles museum features a permanent exhibition on Eike von Repgow and the Asse castles. Above and below the castle, the two outer baileys are still visible in the form of ramparts. The subsequent hike in the Selketal valley provides an impression of the Selketal nature reserve and FFH area. Information boards provide details. Just before the end of the tour, the former judicial site of the Asseburgers is passed, with an information board also providing details about it.

Route description

The starting point of our tour is the parking lot at the garden house (subject to charges), located directly on the Meisdorf-Pansfelde road. From here, we walk westward on Friederikenstraße, the old trade route between Harzgerode and Aschersleben, following the signs to Burg Falkenstein. 400 m from the parking lot, we leave Friederikenstraße and turn right onto the road leading to the castle. Here, we follow the E 11 trail marked with a white cross on a black background. A sign on the left side of the path points us towards the upper outer bailey of Falkenstein. Behind the outer bailey, a footpath to Burg Falkenstein veers left, which we follow. After 1 km, we reach the castle. On a rocky hill in front of the castle stands the monument to Eike von Repgow, who translated the Saxon Law into German here at the beginning of the 13th century. Burg Falkenstein houses a very impressive museum. After visiting the castle, we return to the entrance gate and descend to the Selketal valley on the left via Eselsstieg. Just before reaching Selketalstraße, where the Selketalstieg trail runs, we find another information board on the left side of the path, providing information about the lower outer bailey of Falkenstein. Upon reaching Selketalstraße, we follow Selketalstraße Selke upwards and shortly after, we reach Thalmühle, which is now a family hotel but used to be a sawmill until the 1960s. We now cross Thalmühlenbrücke and follow the Selke river, which bends north around Bartenberg. After walking 3.3 km from Thalmühle, we reach a rest area with a shelter under Mettenberg. From here, we cross Selke on a small pedestrian bridge to the opposite bank and follow Hirschsteinweg, which leads uphill in Hirschsteingrund. After 2.2 km, we reach a wide forest path, where we walk 200 m to the left and reach Köhlerhütte with a surrounding rest area. From Köhlerhütte, we return the same way past the junction of Hirschsteinweg and after 600 m, we reach Friederikenstraße, where a shelter is also located. We turn left onto Friederikenstraße and after 2.1 km, we reach our starting point.

Additional information

Tourist Information Ermsleben
Markt 1
06463 Falkenstein/Harz OT Ermsleben

Phone: 034743 96101
[email protected]

www.stadt-falkenstein-harz.de

Travel information

From Quedlinburg via Ballenstedt, Meisdorf: from Aschersleben via Ermsleben, Meisdorf: from Sangerhausen via Wippra, Abberode, Pansfelde

Parking information

Parking lot at the garden house (subject to charges)

Safety instructions

Sturdy footwear and surefootedness are required on the so-called Eselsstieg path.

Equipment

Sturdy, ankle-high footwear and weatherproof clothing