Circular hiking trail Hasselfelde -> Charcoal burning site, viewpoint Rotestein and suspension bridge and back (HWN 54, 60 & 9915)

Follow the hiking trail signs with the trail markers "green triangle" and "green witch" to the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus.

Stage 1: (7.1 km)

From the Tourist Information Hasselfelde (hiking info point), we walk through the town center to the marketplace - along the left side of the church – we cross the street intersection and continue into the spa park.

From here, we hike to the charcoal burning site on the historic charcoal burner’s path with 14 stations about the life and work of the old charcoal burners (charcoal burner’s hut, earth kiln and more).

On the parallel “Harz Witches’ Trail” we reach an experience island at the "Hohen Berg" (High Mountain).

Here you learn interesting facts about the life of cattle herders and the robust Harz upland cattle.

We continue to follow the hiking trail signs to the charcoal burning site. Having arrived here, we’ve earned a big rest. The charcoal burners invite you to traditional food and drinks (e.g. liquid charcoal or Schiebensuppe soup).

After strengthening ourselves, we can visit the first German charcoal museum: here we get insights into the development history of charcoal burning and learn under what difficult conditions the charcoal burners lived and worked, for example by means of demonstration kilns. At the charcoal burner’s shop you can get charcoal specialties, souvenirs, and charcoal. Furthermore, there is a stamp station here (HWN no. 60) of the “Harz Hiking Pin”.

If you want to end your hiking trip at the charcoal burning site, you have the option to take the bus back to Hasselfelde.

Stage 2: (1.6 km)

If you want to continue hiking to the viewpoint “Rotestein”, please follow the trail marker "green square" to the “Rotestein”.

We cross the B 81 and hike steeply downhill for 220 m. At the bottom, turn right and steadily climb uphill to the “Rotestein”. An information board and a bench group invite you to take a break with a beautiful view of romantic reservoir bays and the Präzeptorklippe rock formation.

There is also a stamp station here (HWN no. 54) of the “Harz Hiking Pin”.

Stage 3:

After enjoying the breathtaking view, continue to the suspension bridge and the Rappbode dam as well as all events from Harzdrenalin according to the signs.

Stage 4:

Back to the charcoal burning site along the road on a footpath towards the B81 (Harzdrenalin park & ride). At the end of the parking lot, cross the B81 near the bus stop.

Here is another option to take the bus back to Hasselfelde or to hike on the Harz Witches’ Trail back to the charcoal burning site. You can also catch public transport here to Hasselfelde.

Stage 5:

From the charcoal burning site, we hike back over the historic charcoal burner’s path to Hasselfelde, the starting point of your route, as in stage 1.

Sturdy footwear and rain gear are recommended. Don’t forget your Harz Hiking Pin stamp booklet and your camera.

You can reach Hasselfelde by car

- via the B 81 from the direction of Nordhausen - from the direction of Wernigerode via the B244, in Elbingerode turnoff B27 towards Rübeland, then turnoff L96 towards Rappbode reservoir, turnoff B81 to Hasselfelde

- from the direction of Güntersberge / Stiege via the B242

- from the direction of Braunlage / Tanne via the B242

You can reach the Harz town of Hasselfelde by bus of theHarzer Verkehrsbetriebe:

from the direction of Wernigerode and Allrode

from the direction of Halberstadt / Blankenburg

from the direction of Benneckenstein

or

by theHarzer Schmalspurbahn.

The INSA - your local public transport route planner for Saxony-Anhalt >>

TIP : 

With the Harz Holiday Ticket, you are mobile free of charge in the entire Harz district.

HATIX - free use of the public bus lines of the Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe, the Q-Bus local transport company, the Halberstädt Transport Company, and the South Harz Transport Company in the Harz district.

More information is available at: www.hatix.info

Tourist Information Hasselfelde/Stiege

Breite Straße 17

38899 Oberharz am Brocken/OT Hasselfelde

Phone: 039459/71369

www.oberharzinfo.de

hasselfelde@oberharzinfo.de

On this route, you have the opportunity to collect three sought-after stamps of the Harz Hiking Pin.

No. 54 - Rotestein

No. 60 - Charcoal burning site

Special stamp 9915 - Suspension bridge

At the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus you should definitely visit the charcoal museum and the charcoal burner’s shop.

Note:

At the Rappbode reservoir and the charcoal burning site you have the possibility to take the bus back to Hasselfelde.

No safety instructions are known.