Harzer Monastery Trail - Stage 2 - Vienenburg to Ilsenburg

Short description

2nd stage from Wöltingerode Monastery to Ilsenburg Monastery.

Description

This 20 km long stage of the monastery trail is particularly scenic and historically interesting, as it crosses the former inner-German border. Starting from Wöltingerode Monastery, the trail now leads in a semi-slope position along the Hercynia Trail on the Harly ridge. Place names remind of the potash mine that was in operation here until 1930. A romantic path then follows along the Oker River to Wiedelah, a district of Vienenburg. From there, the monastery trail runs along the Green Belt, the former inner-German border. The stage then continues through the fields to Abbenrode, then through the Schimmerwald to Stapelburg.
This is followed by a particularly idyllic stretch along the Ecker River to the meadow area of the former Jungborn spa facility. The route continues towards Ilsenburg via the Ilsenburg Stieg. There, you follow the chestnut avenue and pass through the spa park and by the lake to the marketplace. From there, the path leads uphill to Ilsenburg Monastery. The Romanesque monastery complex is now surrounded by a romantic castle park.

Additional information

Special highlights:
Wöltingerode Monastery
River landscapes along the Oker and Ecker rivers
St. Andrews Church in Abbenrode, church windows depicting the opening of the border (key at Café Grünspan)
Local history and border museum in Abbenrode
Border monument in Stapelburg
Jungborn, a 19th-century spa facility, lovingly restored
Ilsenburg Monastery with the 1000-year-old church, refectory, chapter house

www.kloster-ilsenburg.de

www.harzinfo.de/natur-pur/gruenes-band.html

Travel information

Goslar, Vienenburg, Ilsenburg train stations.

Parking information

Parking available at both monasteries.

Safety instructions

No particular difficulties.