Falkenstein Castle - Selke valley
- 3:10 h
- 11.51 km
- 205 m
- 205 m
- 193 m
- 379 m
- 186 m
- Start: Gartenhaus car park on L 230 between Meisdorf and Pansfelde
- Destination: Gartenhaus car park on L 230 between Meisdorf and Pansfelde
The only preserved castle in the Harz, Falkenstein Castle, lies directly on the path. It is especially known for Eike von Repgow, who translated the Sachsenspiegel into German here. The castle's museum presents a permanent exhibition on Eike von Repgow and the Asse castles. Above and below the castle are the two outer baileys still recognizable by their embankments. The subsequent hike in the Selke valley provides an impression of the Selke nature reserve and FFH area. Info boards provide information about this. Shortly before the end of the route, the former Asseburg court site is passed, which is also explained on an info board.
Good to know
Pavements
Best to visit
Directions
The starting point of our route is the car park at Gartenhaus (subject to charge), which is located directly on the Meisdorf-Pansfelde road. From here we walk west along Friederikenstraße, the old trade route between Harzgerode and Aschersleben, following the signs to Falkenstein Castle. 400 m from the car park we leave Friederikenstraße and turn right onto the driveway to the castle. Here we follow the E 11 trail, marked with a white cross on a black background. On the left side of the path, a sign points to the upper outer bailey of Falkenstein. Behind the outer bailey, the footpath to Falkenstein Castle branches off to the left, which we follow. After 1 km we reach the castle. On a rock outcrop in front of the castle stands the monument to Eike von Repgow, who translated the Sachsenspiegel into German here at the beginning of the 13th century. Falkenstein Castle houses a very worthwhile museum. After visiting the castle, we return to the entrance gate and descend to the left along the Eselsstieg into the Selke valley. Shortly before reaching Selketalstraße, the Selketal trail running here, we find another info board on the left side of the path informing us about the lower outer bailey of Falkenstein. After reaching Selketalstraße, we follow the Selketalstraße Selke upstream and shortly afterwards arrive at Thalmühle, which is now a family hotel and was a sawmill until the 1960s. We now cross the Thalmühlen bridge and follow the Selke, which here makes a bend northwards around Bartenberg. After walking 3.3 km from Thalmühle, we come to a rest area with a shelter under Mettenberg. From here we cross the Selke on the small footbridge to the opposite bank and follow Hirschsteinweg, which goes uphill in the Hirschsteingrund. After 2.2 km we reach a wide forest road, on which we walk another 200 m to the left and reach Köhlerhütte with a surrounding resting area. From Köhlerhütte we return the same way over the junction of Hirschsteinweg and after 600 m we reach Friederikenstraße, where there is also a shelter. We turn left onto Friederikenstraße and after 2.1 km arrive back at our starting point.
Equipment
Sturdy ankle-high footwear and weatherproof clothing
Directions & Parking facilities
From Quedlinburg via Ballenstedt, Meisdorf; from Aschersleben via Ermsleben, Meisdorf; from Sangerhausen via Wippra, Abberode, Pansfelde
Gartenhaus car park (subject to charge)
Bus Ermsleben-Meisdorf-Pansfelde
Additional information
Tourist Information Ermsleben
Markt 1
06463 Falkenstein/Harz OT Ermsleben
Phone: 034743 96101
postfach@stadt-falkenstein-harz.de
Author
Udo Münnich
Organization
Harz: Magische Gebirgswelt
License (master data)
Safety guidelines
Sturdy footwear and sure-footedness are required on the so-called 'Eselsstieg' path.
Map
Falkenstein/Harz region, 1:25,000, available at the Ermsleben town hall
Nearby
