Family-friendly circular route around the Königshütte reservoir (HWN 41 & 42)
Short facts
- start: Southern exit of the village Königshütte (Landstraße 98 towards Tanne),
- destination: Ends at starting point
- easy
- 7,24 km
- 2 hours
- 47 m
- 465 m
- 418 m
- 80 / 100
- 20 / 100
best season
The hike around the Trogfurther Brücke is an easy and scenic route suitable for the whole family. You walk directly by the water around the transfer dam.
Whether on foot, with a stroller, balance bike or bicycle, this route can be easily managed. Also ideal for your four-legged friend.
Along the trail you will find plenty of seating areas for picnics or relaxing. Directly at the dam is the Harzer Wandernadel stamp point. From here you have a magical view across the water to the Wurmberg and the Brocken.
The right path (outbound) is a wide and comfortable forest road and the left side (return) is paved. Did you know that just before the reservoir inlet the Warm and Cold Bode rivers converge?
We recommend a small detour at the beginning of the hike to the Königsburg ruins - another Harzer Wandernadel stamp point.
From here you have a fantastic panoramic view over Königshütte, the Harz National Park with the Brocken.
General information
Directions
The hike starts at the southern exit of the village Königshütte (Landstraße 98 towards Tanne) at the intersection of Tanner Straße and the bridge up to the Königsburg ruins. Crossing the bridge, you cross the Warme Bode on the left and follow the signs uphill to the Königsburg ruins. Here is stamp point No. 41 of the Harzer Wandernadel.
After overcoming 144 meters of elevation, the castle ruins sit at about 460 m height on a spur of the mountain. The hiker is offered an impressive and magnificent view of the Brocken and the Wurmberg. First mentioned in documents in 1312, today only remains of the bergfried and several ditches and ramparts can be seen. To the east, the trail now descends the slope into the Bodetal. Here you join the main hiking trail (part of the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg) and keep right, always along the river, which later flows into the reservoir.
Now follow the path along the lake to a shelter, pass the transfer tunnel, and a few hundred meters further come to the dam. It is known as the transfer dam "Trogfurther Brücke". A picturesque view opens up to the hiker: the lake to the left and the Bode to the right. At the Trogfurther Brücke there is another stamp point.
After walking over the dam, keep left at the fork and continue the hike to return to Königshütte. You stay on the main path, passing three small tributaries. You enter the village via Bodetalstraße, which you follow up to Katzenberg (bridge).
Once there, you have the option to cross the street and follow the Ackerklippe for about 150 m to visit the playground with your child(ren), or cross the Bode bridge on the left and immediately turn left again to return to the starting point of the hike at the Tanner Straße parking lot.
Safety Guidelines
No safety instructions are known.
On some sections, there may be sudden restrictions, detours, and path closures at any time due to forest change and storm damage. Please check shortly before your hike.
Equipment
Sturdy footwear, functional clothing, packed lunch, sun and rain protection are recommended.
Remember to pack (mobile) camera, Harzer Wandernadel stamp booklet, and possibly binoculars.
Tip
On this circular route you have the opportunity to collect two coveted stamps of the Harzer Wandernadel.
No. 41 - Königsburg ruins
No. 42 - Trogfurther Brücke (dam of the transfer dam)
TIP for families with children:
At the end of the hike, a playground awaits your children in Königshütte at the Ackerklippe!
Getting there
You can reach the Harz village Königshütte via the B27. In the village, turn onto L98 (Friedensstraße) towards Tanne. Shortly before leaving the village, on the left side, you will have reached your destination.
Parking
Free parking spaces at L98 (Tanner Straße).
Public transit
You can reach the Harz village Königshütte by bus operated by the Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe:
from Wernigerode
and towards Braunlage
from Blankenburg
INSA - your local transport route planner in Saxony-Anhalt >>
TIP:
With the Harz Vacation Ticket you can travel free of charge throughout the entire Harz district.
HATIX - free use of public bus lines of the Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe, Q-Bus local transport company, Halberstädter Verkehrs-GmbH, and the Verkehrsgesellschaft Südharz in Harz district.
More information available at: www.hatix.info
Literature
Unfortunately, no literature is known.
Maps
Hiking map - City of Oberharz am Brocken 1:25000; ISBN 978-3-86973-065-3
Additional Information
Further information about the hike is available at the
Tourist Information Elbingerode
Markt 3
38875 Oberharz am Brocken OT Elbingerode
Phone: 039454 - 89487
Pavings
- Street (6%)
- Crushed Rock (76%)
- Path (4%)
- Hiking Trail (5%)
- Asphalt Coating (9%)