Circular Route Zillierbach Dam (HWN 36)
Short facts
- start: Elbingerode: Corner of Waldbreite / Unter den Birken
- destination: Elbingerode: Corner of Waldbreite / Unter den Birken
- medium
- 9,98 km
- 2 hours 40 minutes
- 122 m
- 551 m
- 472 m
- 60 / 100
- 40 / 100
best season
A varied hike around the Zillierbach Dam via the Peterstein observation point with stamping point and rest area, to the Hermannschacht, to the Hirschbrunnen rest area and back to the Harz town of Elbingerode.
The circular hiking trail, which includes sections of the forest-themed hiking trail, begins with a "detour" to the grounds of the Diakonissen Mutterhaus, where you can discover and visit an architectural feature - the building of the Diakonissen Mutterhaus in the Bauhaus style. It continues through deciduous forests and open spaces, always with a view of the Brocken mountain, directly to the inlet of the Zillierbach Dam. To the right along the reservoir, you hike directly to the dam wall and the Peterstein observation point with a stamping station and rest area. From there you continue on comfortable hiking trails with a slight ascent to the Hermannschacht, an old mine shaft, which today serves as an entry and exit path for bats. Somewhat hidden, along the edge of the meadow to the right, you reach the "Brockenblick" observation point with an ancient beech tree. After a short picnic, it's back to Elbingerode, with a short detour to the Hirschbrunnen rest area with fresh spring water.
General information
Directions
We begin the hike at the corner of Waldbreite and Unter den Birken and cross the street to the Bodfeld pharmacy. On the footpath, walk approx. 350 m in the direction of the town exit, where you cross the street again and join the hiking trail.
Follow the path for about 1.8 km to the crossroads (Russenhay). There you keep left and immediately right again and follow the path downhill in the direction of the Zillierbach inlet. After approx. 700 m the path forks again. Keep to the right and you will come directly to the inlet of the Zillierbach Dam.
Our hike continues on the right-hand side, always with a view of the dam wall, to the Peterstein viewpoint with a stamp and seating area. After you have enjoyed the view and have collected the stamp of the Harzer Wandernadel, you continue towards Hermannschacht, an old disused mine shaft. In the opposite direction to the dam wall, it goes uphill on the main Wernigerode hiking trail in the direction of "Alte Forsthäuser". After approx. 900 m you will reach another fork in the road. At this point keep left and continue to follow the signs to "Alte Forsthäuser". After about 900 m, past the forester's lodge, there is another fork in the road. Follow the signs to Hermannschacht. Note: The junction to the old pit is about 50 m on the left. Displays provide information about the shaft and its current use as a bat shaft. If you cross the meadow on the left-hand side and walk along the edge of the tree, after approx. 100 m you will reach the somewhat hidden observation point "Brockenblick" with a seating area and a fantastic view over the meadow to the Brocken massif. There is a station of the forest trail with an ancient beech. After a promising break we go back the same way to the two old forest houses. Between the forest houses, continue to the refuge on the Eisenstraße in the direction of Elbingerode. After approx. 2.4 km you have the opportunity to make a detour to the Hirschbrunnen, a rest area with a natural spring. Follow the signs. After an informative resting time, we return to the main trail and follow the road to our starting point.
TIP: Right at the beginning or at the end of your hike you have the opportunity to look at an architectural feature. The Diakonissen Mutterhaus is located on the premises of the Diakonie - a building in the Bauhaus style.
Furthermore, you will always come across displays on the subject of forest and forest, since sections of the forest nature trail are on the hike.
Safety Guidelines
There are no known safety instructions.
On some sections of the route, short-term impairments, detours and road closures can occur at any time due to forest changes and storm damage. Inform yourself shortly before your hike.
Current information can be found here >
Equipment
Sturdy shoes, functional clothing, backpack provisions, sun and rain protection.
Don't forget to pack your (mobile phone) camera, the Harzer Wandernadel hiking nobility stamp booklet and, if necessary, binoculars.
Tip
On this tour you have the opportunity to collect a stamp of the Harzer Wandernadel.
No. 36 - Aussichtspunkt Peterstein
Tip 2: Already at the beginning of the hike you are welcome to visit the Diakonissen Mutterhaus, which was built in the Bauhaus style and also has a very special architectural feature. Find out more here >
Getting there
You can reach Elbingerode by car
- via the B27 from the direction of Braunlage and Blankenburg - as well as via the B244 from the direction of Wernigerode.
Parking
Parking is available around the mother house in Elbingerode.
Public transit
You can reach the Harz town of Elbingerode by taking the bus of the Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe:
from Wernigerode
from Blankenburg
from Hasselfelde
from Braunlage
from Benneckenstein
INSA – your local transport route planner in Saxony-Anhalt >>
TIP :
With the Harz Holiday Ticket, you can travel throughout the Harz region free of charge.
HATIX - free use of the public bus lines of the Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe, the Q-Bus Nahverkehrsgesellschaft, the Halberstädter Verkehrs-GmbH, and the Verkehrsgesellschaft Südharz in the Harz district. Now also free use in the districts of Goslar and Göttingen.
More information is available at: www.hatix.info
Maps
Rad- und Wanderkarte"Stadt Oberharz am Brocken"
Additional Information
Tourist information office Elbingerode
Markt 3
38875 Oberharz am Brocken
phone: 039454 - 89487
Pavings
- Asphalt Coating (8%)
- Path (5%)
- Hiking Trail (31%)
- Crushed Rock (56%)