Eichsfeld Border Traces
- 5:45 h
- 20.87 km
- 445 m
- 445 m
- 175 m
- 316 m
- 141 m
- Start: Duderstadt city center at the tourist info/ town hall
- Destination: Duderstadt city center at the tourist info/ town hall
At the southern edge of the Harz, near Duderstadt in the Eichsfeld region, the Green Belt, a unique natural area along the former inner-German border, and the history of the German division can be experienced up close. From the Eichsfeld Border Museum, the route leads along the former border strip to Gut Herbigshagen, where the famous wildlife filmmaker Prof. Heinz Sielmann and his wife established Germany’s 1st Heinz Sielmann Nature Experience Center. The hike ends with a walk through the historic alleys of Duderstadt’s old town with its impressive ensemble of richly decorated half-timbered houses and medieval fortifications.
Good to know
Pavements
Best to visit
Directions
From Marktstraße the path leads past the Cyriakus Church, then right through the alley to the city park. Behind the city wall, follow the marking labeled "Eichsfelder Grenzspuren" and the green paw prints of the wildcat. At the ramparts stands the first symbolic border post. Follow the wildcat paw marking to the right along the rampart to Steintorstraße. There turn left first, then right on Schützenring to August-Werner-Allee and to the "Ballhaus zum fidelen Anreischken." Behind it, the path leads right and then follows the Black Bird marking left along the brook on circular route 6, Pferdeberg.
The path then ascends to the Kolping holiday paradise Pferdeberg and to the right to a resting place with a shelter. Through the forest and over the Pferdeberg awaits the forest inn "Beautiful Views." From there, it goes gently downhill and left to the border installations. Here, at original objects, the structure of the security installations of the former inner-German border can be seen.
The former patrol road continues downhill into the Hahle valley. At the federal road, turn right to the Borderland Museum; the route continues along the patrol road on the opposite side of the street. Along the route to the West-East Gate there are several shelters. Emerging from the forest, behind an ascent you can see the connecting artwork on the former border. After crossing L540, the climb goes to the Sielmann Hut. The Sielmann route continues on the patrol road, then turns left to Gut Herbigshagen. You can end the hike here with a visit to the Nature Experience Center or follow the signpost back to Duderstadt to the starting point.
Directions & Parking facilities
Motorway A 38 AS Leinefelde, A7, B247
Parking lot "Westertor" access via Sachsenring
Train station Göttingen or Leinefelde-Worbis, from there by bus to Duderstadt central bus station. Information at www.bahn.de
Additional information
Visitor information Duderstadt Town Hall, Marktstraße 66, 37115 Duderstadt, Tel. 05527 841200, info@duderstadt.dewww.duderstadt.de
Author
Harzer Tourismusverband
Organization
Harz: Magische Gebirgswelt
License (master data)
Map
City and hiking map Duderstadt, leaflet with information and map 1:20,000 available at the visitor information
Nearby
