Harzer BaudenSteig 6: From Wieda to Walkenried

Short Description

From Wieda to Walkenried. One last time over the ridges of the South Harz, then down to the meadows and to the Walkenried Monastery.

Description

In 1972, the towns of Walkenried, Wieda, and Zorge merged to form a joint municipality. The 6th and final stage of the BaudenSteig trail passes through their area and repeatedly reveals the locations of the towns along the former border to the GDR. A journey through time on foot. The starting point is in the Wieda river valley. The path leads from Helenenruh to Zorge. Mining of red iron ore and iron smelting were the dominant economic factors for the residents until the end of the 19th century. The first two locomotives built in Germany were constructed in Zorge in 1842 for the Braunschweig State Railway. Today, more distilling than construction takes place here. The Hercynian Distilling Co. / Hammerschmiede in Zorge is the smallest distillery - not only in the Harz, but also in Central and Northern Germany. Since 2002, the distillery has been producing Single Malt Whisky. The final destination is the famous Walkenried Monastery. In 1127, Adelheid von Walkenried founded the third Cistercian monastery in present-day Germany. The museum at the Walkenried Monastery is considered the most innovative monastery museum in Europe. Visitors embark on a fascinating journey through time with the monks. However, after nearly 100 kilometers, the time on the BaudenSteig trail has come to an end.

Directions

At the town hall (S), turn left into Borntal and continue straight uphill on a wide forest path. Turn right at the next T-junction and go through the beech forest uphill to Bremer Klippe (1). Follow the Kaiserweg to the intersection at Helenenruh (2). Turn right towards the shelter and slightly downhill. At the next intersection, turn left onto Wilhelm-Grote-Weg. Leave the wide forest path at a radio mast and go downhill to the right. The path becomes narrower, sometimes steep downhill. (Be cautious in wet conditions, possibly use sticks). Head right towards the observation pavilion Pferdchen (3), located directly above Mittelzorge (Zorge is nearly 7 km long!). At the end of the path, you will reach Wiedaer Hüttenweg, immediately turn left onto Grubenweg down to the village. Follow along the stream on the left in the valley to the spa park. At the lower park exit stands the Zacharias-Koch-Haus (1681), now a tourist office. Cross the street, then take the stairs to the bell tower (4). Turn right onto a path, then continue on the Langer Weg, a wide forest path, ignoring all turn-offs. At a major intersection with an information pavilion, turn sharply right and follow the path into Elsbachtal and further into the village. Turn left at the parking lot towards Hammerschmiede (5). Follow along the Zorge on the promenade (formerly a railway embankment), past the childrens farm with a large playground. Continue straight through the residential area until you turn right over a bridge in Unterzorge. Cross the street, follow along the road towards Wieda for a few meters. (6) Turn left onto Eseltreiberweg into the forest. Final ascent to Hubertusplatz. Continue straight on Kaiserweg until you reach the main road. This was the inner-German border. Now in the meadow (7) with small ponds, follow the earth path along the edge of the forest. Soon, the first houses of Walkenried come into view. Cross Ellricher Staße and follow the sidewalk to the right. At the next junction, turn left onto Unter den Schießeisen. At house No. 7, take the footpath directly along the Wieda through a wooded area. Cross the bridge and continue to the monastery parking lot and monastery (8). Here ends the Baudensteig trail. The town center and train station are not far away.

More Information

For more information about the tour click here.

Or at the following addresses:

Tourist Information of the municipality Walkenried in Zorge, Am Kurpark 4, 37449 Zorge, Tel. 05586 96 2991, touristinfo@walkenried-tourismus.de, www.walkenried-tourismus.de

Harzer Sonnenseite, GästeServiceZentrum, Ritscherstr. 4, 37431 Bad Lauterberg im Harz, Tel. 05524 853190, info@harzer-sonnenseite.de

Travel Information

A7, exit Seesen: B243 towards Bad Sachsa, then L601 towards Wieda.

Parking Information

Wieda in the village

Safety Instructions

Possibly use sticks for the descent to Pferdchen

Equipment

Hiking boots, possibly sticks for the descent to Pferdchen: Drinks and packed lunch for the journey.