- 5:10 h
- 19.89 km
- 161 m
- 194 m
- 124 m
- 281 m
- 157 m
- Start: Wendhusen Monastery, Thale
- Destination: Monastery Church of Saint Mary (on Münzenberg), Quedlinburg
This stage features special churches and monastery complexes of partly outstanding international significance, but also beautiful village churches. From Wendhusen Monastery in Thale, the path leads to Neinstedt with a view of the Devil's Wall and along the romantic Bode River. In the middle of Neinstedt lies the village church of St. Catherine, whose garden invites you to linger with a view over the village. In Stecklenberg, be sure to take in the beautiful ensemble with the Protestant village church, the spa park with its water axis, and the model of Lauenburg before continuing via Bad Suderode to Gernrode to the Romanesque collegiate church of St. Cyriakus, considered one of the most important Ottonian architectural monuments in Germany. The destination is Quedlinburg on Münzenberg. Here, among numerous churches and monuments worth seeing, two right on the route are recommended: St. Wiperti Church, with its 10th-century crypt also a World Heritage site, and the St. Mary Museum on Münzenberg.
Good to know
Pavements
Best to visit
Directions
From Wendhusen Monastery in Thale, the monastery hiking trail leads through Wendhusen Street to Tavern Square and further to Neustädter Street. At Am Knieberg, it then goes in the direction of Neinstedt to the Devil's Wall parking lot. The Monastery Hiking Trail marking can be followed here. Then it goes across the Bode Bridge to Marienhof with its farm shop. At the pedestrian traffic light, cross the street and continue over the railway crossing to Alte Quedlinburger Street. At the end of this street, cross the Neinstedt main street and opposite continues the monastery trail into the narrow alley called "Am Brunnen." A steep staircase leads to St. Catherine's Church. Here you are rewarded with a wonderful view of the Devil's Wall and Brocken. The village church is first mentioned in documents in 1236, though its exact age is unknown. In 1564 it was expanded and rebuilt.
The path continues along the graceful Poets' Trail to Stecklenberg, a district of Thale. At the end of Schulgasse, the path goes straight ahead past the church and the model of the now destroyed Lauenburg (marked: 3-Castles-Way)—the ruins of Stecklenburg and Lauenburg lie slightly above Stecklenberg—and then gently uphill into the forest. The path slowly approaches the road. In front of the house "Waldesruh," follow the stage down to the road, then uphill again (Stecklenberg main street; be sure to watch out for traffic here!). At the end of the left curve, the hiking trail turns into the forest and leads to Bad Suderode to the town hall square and spa park. On the Selketalstieg / German Kings and Emperors trail (panorama trail – Menzing pond – Hagental – Im Hagen – at Spittelteich), the Harz Monastery Hiking Trail also leads to the over a thousand-year-old Romanesque collegiate church of St. Cyriakus in Gernrode. Extensively renovated in the second half of the 19th century, the impressive church features architectural highlights inside, including the "Holy Grave," the east crypt, and two choir areas.
From the inn "Bückemühle," follow the marking on the Selketalstieg to Quedlinburg on Münzenberg, a district of Quedlinburg with over 60 half-timbered houses and a wide view over Quedlinburg. Here at the former St. Mary Monastery, the Harz Monastery Hiking Trail ends or begins. Before concluding the discovery tour through Quedlinburg, you can take a rest behind the Schaf Bridge on an Angel Bench.
Directions & Parking facilities
Additional information
Author
Olaf Eiding
Organization
Harz: Magische Gebirgswelt
License (master data)
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
You should definitely take the time for a detour to the Devil's Wall. Great rock formations and views over the Harz foothills, perfect photo opportunities! The Romanesque collegiate church in Gernrode must not be missed. Ask for a guided tour at the Protestant parish office in Gernrode.
Safety guidelines
Please exercise utmost caution when crossing roads and railway tracks.
Nearby
