Family-friendly hike through the romantic Elendstal
- 1:50 h
- 6.56 km
- 173 m
- 173 m
- 492 m
- 627 m
- 135 m
- Start: Parking lot Ortsmitte Elend
- Destination: Parking lot Ortsmitte Elend
Hike on a well-maintained and gently ascending trail from Elend to Schierke through the Elendstal. As a one-way trail to Schierke (approx. 3 km) - ideal for families with small or big children (also with a stroller). Along the babbling "Kalte Bode," kids can discover many things at the wayside: large stones with moss cushions, mushrooms, animals, fallen trees for climbing, and much more. After about 1.5 km, there are seating options for a break. In Schierke, you have various dining options. Here, the one-way hike would end, and you can take the bus back to Elend, the starting point.
Those who want to explore more can complete the hike as a circular route back to the starting point Elend. From Schierke, you descend Kirchberg, stay on Alte Dorfstraße for a few meters, then turn into Alte Wernigeröder Straße and follow the signs to Helenenruh and further to Elend. This section contains several ascents and descents (not recommended with a stroller).
Good to know
Pavements
Best to visit
Directions
From the parking lot at Ortsmitte Elend, the path leads us towards Braunlage along Braunlager Straße. Our view stretches across the large meadow with the smallest wooden church in Germany, a worthwhile excursion destination in the Harz (open from May to October - Tuesdays and Fridays in the afternoon). After about 200 m, we turn right into the "Elendstal" and walk through the Harzquerbahn viaduct at the end of the street. A few meters further, we can see the "Talwächter" on the banks of the Bode, a very large spruce. Here other hiking trails also start and run along, such as the circular route around Elend or the Teufelsstieg, which leads up to the Brocken.
We keep to the right side of the Bode and follow the forest road to the stone bridge. Continuing to keep right before the bridge, we walk along the Mühlenweg until we reach Alte Dorfstraße in Schierke. Once there, we go in the direction of the town center up the somewhat steeper "Kirchberg" street until we meet Brockenstraße, which runs through the entire town. At the end of Brockenstraße, there is also a popular starting point for the conquest of the Brocken summit.
In Schierke, we can take the bus line back or begin the return journey to Alte Schmiede via Alte Dorfstraße towards Helenenruh. At this spot, there is also a stamp station of the Harzer Wandernadel with a view into the 150 m deep gorge of the Kalte Bode. In very good weather, we can enjoy the view of the Brocken here before hiking back down to Elend.
Equipment
Directions & Parking facilities
You can reach Elend by car
- via the B27 from Braunlage and Blankenburg
- as well as via the B244 from Wernigerode via Elbingerode
- or via the L100 and L99 from Wernigerode via Drei-Annen-Hohne.
You can reach the Harz town of Elend by bus from the Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe:
from Wernigerode and Braunlage with line 264
or
with the Harzer Schmalspurbahn from Wernigerode or Nordhausen.
TIP:
With the Harzer UrlaubsTicket, you are mobile free of charge throughout the entire Harz district.
HATIX - free use of public bus lines of the Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe, the Q-Bus local transport company, Halberstädter Verkehrs-GmbH, as well as the Verkehrsgesellschaft Südharz in the Harz district.
More information is available at: www.hatix.info
Additional information
Tourist Information Elend/Tanne/Sorge
Hauptstraße 19
38875 Oberharz am Brocken
OT Elend
Tel.: 039455/375
Author
Sandra Marquardt
Organization
Tourismusbetrieb der Stadt Oberharz am Brocken
License (master data)
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
On this circular route, you have the opportunity to collect a coveted stamp of the Harzer Wandernadel.
No. 21 - Helenenruh
For the "daring climbers," we recommend the short detour to the "Ruins of Elendsburg". You can reach it about 700m upstream from Elend on the left bank of the Kalte Bode on a free-standing clay shale rock.
TIP for families with children:
In Schierke, you will find shady picnic spots in the lovely spa park. A detour is also worthwhile to the summer toboggan run.
In Elend, a playground awaits your children opposite the "Ortsmitte" parking lot.
Summer tip:
You can find a refreshing cool-off in the summer months at the Waldbad Elend.
Map
Bike & hiking map "City of Oberharz am Brocken"
Scale 1 : 25,000
ISBN: 978-3-86973-167-4
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