Harzer BaudenSteig 6: From Wieda to Walkenried

The places Walkenried, Wieda, and Zorge merged in 1972 to form a joint municipality. The 6th and final stage of the BaudenSteig trail passes through their area and repeatedly reveals the locations' position on the former border with the GDR. A journey through time on foot. The starting point is in the valley of the Wieda river. 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 produced in Zorge in 1842 for the Braunschweig State Railway. Today, more distilling than building takes place here. The Hercynian Distilling Co. / Hammerschmiede in Zorge is the smallest distillery for spirits - not only in the Harz region, but in all of 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 Walkenried Monastery is considered the most innovative monastery museum in Europe. Visitors embark on a fascinating journey through time with the monks. However, the time on the BaudenSteig trail is now over after almost 100 kilometers.