Circular hiking trail Rotestein - suspension bridge - Harzköhlerei (short) (HWN 54,60 & 9915)
Short facts
- start: Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus
- destination: Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus
- medium
- 9,56 km
- 2 hours 35 minutes
- 117 m
- 492 m
- 424 m
- 80 / 100
- 40 / 100
best season
A scenic and memorable circular hike to the viewpoints at the Rappbode reservoir and Rotestein near Hasselfelde, the suspension bridge and the events of Harzdrenalin, as well as the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus.
The starting point is the parking lot directly at the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus. From there, it goes to the popular Rotestein viewpoint. From here you have a fantastic view over the Rappbode Reservoir and the Brocken panorama. A picnic seating area invites you to rest and linger. Then continue to the Rappbode dam, the highest dam in Germany (106 m), with a view of the impressive suspension bridge with the Gigaswing (pendulum), the Solitär viewing tower, and the largest double zipline in Europe, the Megazipline, as well as over the reservoirs. Those who dare can choose the return route via the suspension bridge – parallel to the dam – before hiking back to the Harzköhlerei via part of the Harz Witch’s Trail.
General information
Directions
The hike starts directly from the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus towards the Rotestein viewpoint. If you like, you can get the first stamp of the Harzer Wandernadel in your hiking booklet at the charcoal burner’s shop or save the stamp for the return trip. The hike begins with crossing the B81. On the opposite side, you go about 200 m steeply downhill. Once at the bottom, hike to the right towards Rotestein. After about 2.2 km you reach a fork, where you follow the left path until you reach the viewpoint directly in about 800 m. An information board and a group of benches invite you to take a break with a beautiful view of romantic reservoir bays and the Präzeptorklippe. Here is also the stamping point No. 54 of the Harzer Wandernadel.
After enjoying the breathtaking view and your picnic, continue to the suspension bridge and the Rappbode dam, as well as all events of Harzdrenalin according to signage. It is about 2.3 km to the Rappbode dam.
Be sure to visit the Harzdrenalin area. Walk over the enormous dam with fantastic views of the Rappbode reservoir or to the right the suspension bridge RT Titan, which stretches parallel to the dam. Experience pure action and unique adventures in the middle of the unique nature of the Harz: Megazipline, Titan RT, Gigaswing, Wallrunning, Ultrashot, viewing tower, 5D cinema, and much more. Definitely visit the “Typisch Harz” shop and find your regional holiday souvenir here. After an entertaining stay, return to the circular hiking trail. You can either hike back on the dam or choose the return route over the suspension bridge with a special stamp.
Return to the Harzköhlerei along the street on a footpath towards B81 (alternative parking Harzdrenalin). At the end of the parking lot, cross the B81 near the bus stop and from there hike on the Harz Witch’s Trail to your starting point – the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus.
TIP: Visit the first German charcoal burning museum on the grounds of the Harzköhlerei. Here you gain insights into the development history of charcoal burning and learn about the difficult conditions under which the charcoal burners lived and worked, for example using charcoal clamps. At the charcoal burner’s shop you can get charcoal specialties, souvenirs, and charcoal.
Safety Guidelines
No safety warnings are known.
On some route sections, there may be short-term impairments, detours, and path closures due to forest changes and storm damage at any time. Please check shortly before your hike.
Equipment
Sturdy footwear, functional clothing, packed backpack food, sun and rain protection are recommended.
Remember to bring a (mobile) camera, your Harzer Wandernadel stamp booklet, and if needed, binoculars.
Tip
On this circular route, you have the opportunity to collect three of the coveted stamps of the Harzer Wandernadel.
No. 54 - Rotestein viewpoint
No. 60 - Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus
No. 9915 - Suspension bridge (special stamp)
Getting there
You can reach the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus by car
- via the B 81 from the direction of Nordhausen
- from Wernigerode via the B244, in Elbingerode turn off onto B27 towards Rübeland, then turn off onto L96 towards Rappbodetalsperre, turn off onto B81 towards Hasselfelde
- from Güntersberge / Stiege via B242 and B81
- from Braunlage / Tanne via B242 and B81.
Parking
There is sufficient parking available in front of the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus.
Public transit
You can reach the starting point of the hike, the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus, by bus from the Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe:
from Wernigerode and Allrode
from Blankenburg
from Benneckenstein
The INSA – your local transport route planner in Saxony-Anhalt >>
TIP:
With the Harzer UrlaubsTicket you can travel free throughout the entire Harz district.
HATIX – free use of the public bus lines of Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe, Q-Bus Nahverkehrsgesellschaft, Halberstädter Verkehrs-GmbH, and Verkehrsgesellschaft Südharz in the Harz district. Now also free use in the Goslar and Göttingen districts.
More information at: www.hatix.info
Literature
We are not aware of any literature.
Maps
Hiking map - City Oberharz am Brocken 1:25000 ; ISBN 978-3-86973-065-3
Additional Information
Tourist Information Hasselfelde/Stiege
Breite Straße 17
38899 Oberharz am Brocken/OT Hasselfelde
Tel.: 039459/71369
Pavings
- Crushed Rock (34%)
- Path (20%)
- Hiking Trail (20%)
- Street (26%)