Harzer Monastery Trail - Stage 2 - Vienenburg to Ilsenburg

This 20 km long stage of the monastery hiking trail is particularly scenic and historically captivating, as it crosses the former inner-German border. From Kloster Wöltingerode, the monastery hiking trail now leads in a half-slope position along the Hercyniaweg on the Harly ridge. Place names remind of the potash mine that was in operation here until 1930. Afterwards, a romantic path leads along the Oker to Wiedelah, a district of Vienenburg. From there, the monastery hiking trail follows the Green Belt, the former inner-German border. On this stage, the route continues through the fields to Abbenrode, then through the Schimmerwald to Stapelburg.
This is followed by a particularly idyllic stretch along the Ecker 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 reach the market square through the spa park and past the lake. From there, the path leads uphill to Kloster Ilsenburg. The Romanesque monastery complex is now located in the midst of a romantic castle park.