Geo-Trail

Short Description

The Geo-Trail is dedicated to nature-oriented, terrain-based cycling. It represents a consensus solution between landowners, users, and nature conservation. Rarely is such openness encountered in Germany regarding this matter. The goal is to establish cycling on an equal footing with traditional hiking and water hiking.

Description

The route connects the Nebra Ark with Querfurt Castle. While there are similar paths along the Himmelswege, those who truly want to get to know the region are recommended to try the Geo-Trail. Covering approximately 45km, it climbs 1000 meters in altitude, with half of it distributed among many ascents and descents (up to 10%). Paths and trails are used without any development. The route goes through fields and meadows in a natural way. As a result, sections may be rugged or overgrown: Take it sportingly, its about naturalness and experiencing. From the Nebra Ark to Querfurt Castle, you travel from the older to the younger (Bronze Age to Middle Ages). The same applies to the rocks in the subsoil on which the diverse landscape is based. Here, too, the basic rule of old to young (stratigraphy) applies. Thus, geology is the namesake and guide for the Geo-Trail. It leads from the sandstone of the Ziegelroda Forest to the Muschelkalk plateau of the Querfurt Plateau, interrupted by the Schmoner valley cut into soft clays (Röt). The relief of the landscape is based on this alternation of hard-soft-hard (morphology), resulting in an enormous variety of habitats and biotopes (acidic, basic, moist, dry) from the different substrates. Before the geological eye unfolds the birth of a sea, a time travel that begins 245 million years ago and leads from the edge to the core of the Querfurt Basin. Through 5 million years of Earths history, it goes from the desert (sandstone) to the arts (Röt) to the sea (Muschelkalk).

11 stages divide the Geo-Trail, starting with a themed panel. This allows for 2-day tours to be planned. In group rides, a maximum of 10 riders is acceptable! A total of 14 geological information panels are located along the route. Each panel includes a map of the route, a profile of the following stages, and the locations of the panels (T) and milestones (x).

Route Description

Start - Stage 1 (Wangener Grund - Bock

- is rather short (3km) and leads north into the Wangener Grund, a former Unstrut course. Upon reaching the forest on both sides, the Geo-Trail sharply turns to the right and ascends to the Bock, a sandstone plateau (120m steep ascent).

Querfurt Basin - Stage 2 - Layered landscape

Stage 2 takes a more balanced route back down to todays level of the Unstrut river (110m over 3.5km), to then steeply ascend to Vitzenburg in Zingst (25m caution, road use in the town). In the northeast, you can see a dissected valley (Schmoner Talung, Vitzenburg) and behind it a plateau (Querfurt Plateau). The Geo-Trail leads from the sandstone of the Ziegelroda Forest to the Muschelkalk plateau of the Querfurt Plateau, with the Schmoner Talung cut into soft Röt clays and gypsum in between.

Triassic Gate - Stage 3 - Sandstone Vitzenburg

The third stage begins with a view of the Triassic Gate, the Unstrut breakthrough at Nebra. The Geo-Trail ascends the western side of the Vitzenburg ridge and passes by the castle of the same name, through the village, heading north. It then descends steeply (caution!) into the valley to Pretitz, then ascends to another plateau at the opposite end of the village.

Saline - Stage 4 - Röt: Limestone: Gypsum: Salt

The fourth stage (2.5km) starts on a plateau north of Pretitz, offering a panoramic view of the steep slopes rising to the Querfurt Plateau. The red colors of the Röt in the steep slopes are visible in good visibility. Due to the substrate (claystone) and the slope, even specialized plants struggle to create a closed vegetation area there. Northward, the Geo-Trail turns into a sunken lane (west), heading to Siedebach, then to Weißenschirmbach. Heading west, you pass through the village and leave it through the Stachelrodaer Grund (Gobitz) towards the Birkenschäferei and the Ziegelrodaer Forest. The flat profile of the stage has been sculpted by the Siedebach from the basal Röt sediments. From the Ziegelrodaer Forest, the fields gradually slope eastward, marking the boundary of the Middle Buntsandstein. By the time you reach Weißenschirmbach, the soft Röt rocks have already been eroded. The village itself still stands on the hard sandstone benches of the Middle Buntsandstein.

Groundwater - Stage 5 - Stachelrodaer Grund

The 5th stage is short but consistently uphill over 1.5 km, with 60 meters of altitude gain. Starting at the well site in the Stachelrodaer Grund, the Geo-Trail veers west into a narrow valley, ascending towards the Birkenschäferei plateau. The abundance of water in these valleys is evident from the outset, with groundwater naturally appearing practically year-round. After a few hundred meters, the slopes diverge. In the valley bottom, a distinct area is formed due to the accumulated water. In contrast, the valley flanks are extremely dry, covered with a lean, siliceous substrate. Centuries of use as orchards, pasturelands, and grazing areas have created a rich contrast of habitats, exceptionally abundant in fauna and flora due to the juxtaposition of water scarcity and excess. Its a privilege to pass through these valleys!

Plateau - Stage 6 - Tertiary land surface, Ice Age

The long 6th stage (12km) starts on the plateau, showcasing the flat and leveled landscape. There are no peaks, only flat highlands at approximately the same level. The significant profile with around 160 meters of ascents and descents has been shaped in recent times by the streams into a continuous plane. The Geo-Trail initially heads west into the Ziegelrodaer Forest before turning approximately north into the next, west-east oriented parallel valley towards Schmon (Pumpenhaus). On the southern slope of the valley, passing below Herrmannseck, the route goes through the holiday settlement to a small reservoir. Continuing downstream towards the Querfurt Plateau through Ober- and Niederschmon (Bundesstraße), the ascent begins through the Schmoner slopes, a particularly protected area that should be traversed swiftly and appropriately. The entire route spans from the Middle Buntsandstein to the Lower Muschelkalk in chronological order.

Querfurt Plateau - Stage 7 - Muschelkalk, Fossils

The seventh stage starts on the high plateau of the Schmoner slopes and follows the edge of the Querfurt Plateau northward to B 250. After crossing it, the route returns to the escarpment above the Leimbacher Talung, one of the parallel West-East oriented valleys. Heading southwest, the trail descends into it and follows the old path coming from Querfurt. Passing through Leimbach, the route enters a traffic-calmed zone on L 172. This road must be used for 500m - caution! At the old forest, the trail turns north into the Ziegelrodaer Forest.

Ziegelrodaer Forest - Stage 8 - Relief, Utility

The eighth stage continues northward, passing by the well site. Descending steeply in a tight loop towards Lautersburg, the trail meets the Querne, whose course it follows. Near the ponds, the route heads northeast towards Lodersleben. At the bottleneck where the forest road crosses the stream, the trail turns right onto a small path, staying on the southern side of the valley. Just before the edge of the forest, the stage stops at the source of the Roter Born.

Querne Valley - Stage 9 - Querne, Water

The ninth stage is very short at 2km and mostly follows the Querne at its level. Along the streambed, you reach a small alder forest, another spring area that extends to the bridge. Continuing straight along the stream, you enter the former castle park with a summer stage and pond. Heading up to the western end of the park behind the club house, the trail leads under the castle. Back at the Querne, the park here is enclosed by a massive sandstone wall. Along this wall, the Geo-Trail moves away from the stream, ascending steeply to the former Trümpelberg quarry site to the south (25 meters in altitude).

Lodersleben - Stage 10 - Sandstone, Quarrying, Craftsmanship

The tenth stage is also short (2km) and descends 50 meters into the Quernes meadow, directly beneath the steep face of the Querfurt Plateau. Passing by the former quarries of Lodersleben around Trümpelberg towards the west (Kacheltor). A short stretch within the town of Leimbach must be followed downhill to the north. (Caution!) The Geo-Trail sharply turns west into the Apfelweg, leading to Sudel up to L219 (Allstedt-Querfurt). Before reaching the main road, the route follows below the steep northern slopes to the former railway crossing. The abundance of quarry stones can be seen throughout Lodersleben. The Querne divides the village into two halves, with sandstone outcrops on both sides of the valley, upon which several buildings are founded (castle, foresters house).

Sinkholes - Stage 11 - Subrosion, Sinkholes

The final, eleventh stage leads out of the wide valley eastward into the narrow limestone passage of the Querne towards Querfurt Castle. At a length of 3.5 km, there are short ascents totaling 50 meters of ups and downs.

Following the former railway track to the Städtischer Weinberg, the Geo-Trail veers over the ruined monastery complex (Mareinzell) and across the Querne to the other side. Beyond the tracks, below the spruces, the route sharply turns eastward, following the valley. After passing the barrier, the accompanying coniferous forest recedes on the north slope. The path forks, and the Geo-Trail takes the ascending trail up to the transformer tower. Continuing straight into Aug.-Bebel-Str., you reach the western castle tower. Passing through to the outer bailey, the route descends to the left towards the entrance gate to the Geo-Nature Park - the northeastern bastion.

 

Additional Information

 

 

Travel Information

Coming from Naumburg or Querfurt, take B180 to Steigra. Then turn onto L177 towards Karsdorf. Before Karsdorf, turn onto L213 towards Reinsdorf. After Reinsdorf, turn onto B250 towards Nebra. From Nebra, continue on Nebraer Str. (K2646) towards Großwangen.

Parking Information

Public parking at Arche Nebra in Kleinwangen.

Parking at the Unstrut river in Großwangen.

Safety Instructions

For experienced riders, it is a day trip, with the possibility to easily return to the starting point via the Himmelswege. A guided tour makes sense to understand the underlying content. Local and regional providers are available for guided tours, as well as equipment rental (bikes, e-bikes). Those interested can learn the proper handling from professionals on this route. Licensed instructors are available to assist. With average fitness and endurance, anyone can complete the route. Its not shameful to walk difficult sections. Even professionals do that. 

Equipment

A mountain bike is advantageous.