Cycling tour in the Harz foothills | Stage 2: Wernigerode - Blankenburg

Short Description

Description

The Garden Dreams are 50 historic parks and gardens in Saxony-Anhalt, which describe the history of garden art and various types of gardens.

During this 7-day cycling tour, you will experience the most beautiful parks in the Harz Foreland. Start your journey in Wernigerode with a visit to the castle and enjoy the unique view of the Harz Mountains from the castle terraces. The journey continues to the monastery gardens in Drübeck and Michaelstein. Just a stones throw away lies Blankenburg (Harz). Here, you will experience 400 years of garden art in one place. From the UNESCO World Heritage town of Quedlinburg with its collegiate gardens, the route leads you on a circular tour to Rieder and Ballenstedt. In Rieder, the theater architect Bernhard Sehring created his very own fairytale castle, the Roseburg, including a romantic park area, starting in 1907. Ballenstedts castle park impresses with a water axis featuring an imposing dragon fountain, designed by Peter Joseph Lenné.

Services:

- 6 nights in good mid-range hotels with breakfast

- Luggage transfer

- HarzCard (Guest All-Inclusive Card for 4 days)

- Entrance to the Castle Museum and Collegiate Church of St. Servatius with the Quedlinburg Cathedral Treasury

- Tour package per room

- 7-day service hotline

Notes: The HarzCard can be used on four freely selectable days within its validity. You can experience attractions from around 120 partners.

In all the cities listed above, a tourist tax must be paid (approx. €2.50 per person per day). This amount is to be paid in cash at each accommodation and is not included in the tour price. In return, you will receive the Harz Vacation Ticket Hatix, which allows you free travel on all public bus and tram lines in the Harz district.

Optional Additional Services: Bike rental (touring bike/e-bike)

Note:

Booking exclusively through Elbe Rad Touristik GmbH. The Garden Dreams e. V. is neither the organizer nor the mediator of this offer.

Booking:

Elbe Rad Touristik GmbH | Gerhart-Hauptmann-Str. 2 | 39108 Magdeburg

Phone: 0391 /7330 334

Fax: 0391 / 7330 335

[email protected] | www.elbe-rad-touristik.de

Prices:

Price per person in a double room: €573.00

Single room supplement: €196.00

5% discount for group bookings (7-12 participants)

Directions

Wernigerode – Kloster Michaelstein (approx. 12 km) - Blankenburg (approx. 5 km)

On route R1, you cycle to Kloster Michaelstein, which is also located on the Romanesque Road. The monastery was founded in the 12th century and dedicated to the Archangel Michael. The square of the monks buildings around the cloister forms the center of the abbey. Thanks to extensive construction measures, the premises from the late Romanesque and Gothic periods are well preserved.

Special emphasis is also placed on preserving the monastery gardens. In the herb garden, about 260 different herbs grow on almost 800 m² and emit various scents. The vegetable garden accommodates both vegetable varieties from the Middle Ages and modern times. Today, time allows you to visit the music exhibition SoundSpaceTime in the monastery. You can immerse yourself in past times with a time machine or enjoy the unique sound and light staging of Bachs famous Christmas Oratorio. Various experimentation and puzzle stations also invite you to explore.

A restaurant visit is worthwhile before continuing by bike to Blankenburg. The second part of the day can be used for a visit to Blankenburg Castle with its castle gardens or for a hike to Burg Regenstein.

HarzCard service (examples)

- Burg and Fortress Regenstein: free entry (except for special events)

- Kloster Michaelstein / Museum: free entry

Additional Information

More Garden Dreams tours in Saxony-Anhalt

Garden Dreams in the Elbe Lowlands (7 days)

Garden Dreams in the World Heritage Region (6 days)

Safety Information

This trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility. As a traveler, you are generally responsible for ensuring that you are physically capable of meeting the demands of an active trip (e.g., physical activity for several hours).

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Wernigerode

Today, you will travel to Wernigerode on your own. Here, you can discover the lively history between the castle ensemble, medieval town hall, and the Miniature Park Kleiner Harz.

Day 2: Wernigerode – Kloster Drübeck and back (approx. 6 km each way)

In the morning, the bike tour takes you to Kloster Drübeck. In the afternoon, we invite you to visit Wernigerode Castle and its castle gardens.

Day 3: Wernigerode – Kloster Michaelstein (approx. 12 km) - Blankenburg (approx. 5 km)

On route R1, you cycle to Kloster Michaelstein, which is also located on the Romanesque Road. The second part of the day can be used for a visit to Blankenburg Castle with its castle gardens or for a hike to Burg Regenstein.

Day 4: Blankenburg – Thale (approx. 10 km)

The goal of todays short stage is the town of Thale. The HarzCard offers you some free highlights here.

Day 5: Thale – Quedlinburg (approx. 13 km)

Now you leave the European Cycle Route R1 and cycle along the Bode River to the World Heritage town of Quedlinburg. In addition to the old town with its narrow alleys and the remarkable half-timbered houses, a visit to the castle (including entry) is recommended.

Day 6: Quedlinburg – Schloss Roseburg – Ballenstedt (approx. 15 km each way)

Todays tour starts in Quedlinburg with a ride to the fairytale castle Roseburg. Then its just a few kilometers to Ballenstedt. There, the castle awaits you with its 29-hectare castle park. Return to Quedlinburg.

Day 7: Departure or Extension

Today marks the end of your cycling tour, and you begin your individual journey home. We are also happy to arrange an extension for you in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Quedlinburg.