Selketal-Stieg 1: From Stiege (station) to Güntersberge (station)
- 2:45 h
- 10.82 km
- 67 m
- 155 m
- 399 m
- 518 m
- 119 m
- Start: Stiege station
- Destination: Güntersberge station
Good to know
Pavements
Best to visit
Directions
The Selketal-Stieg starts at the station in Stiege. This starting point is very well accessible by bus, Selketalbahn, or car. There are enough free parking spaces. Already at the station, there is a special feature to admire: the smallest turning loop in Europe. At 400 meters long, it serves the Harz narrow gauge railway for turning the trains. Before you begin your hike, a visit to the Stabkirche Stiege is also worthwhile. It is the only sacral building in Norwegian dragon style in Germany and was relocated to its current location in 2020.
The first stage of the Selketal-Stieg is characterized by wide meadows and runs almost exclusively parallel to the Selketalbahn. Near the junction Wüstung Selkenfelde/Kanonenplatz, the Selke rises at its source. The river winds very inconspicuously through the landscape.
Excavations show that people already settled in the Middle Ages in the Wüstung Selkenfelde. At this location is stamp box 55 of the Harzer Wandernadel and thus the first of a total of 17 stamps directly by the wayside of the Selketal-Stieg.
At Albrechtshaus station, you enter the principality of Anhalt. It is hardly noticeable, but it is a climatic, linguistic, and political border that you cross. The long-distance hiking trail leads you further through the nature reserve “Upper Selketal” to Güntersberge. The Ellerteich invites you to take a short break. Then you cross the railway tracks and now hike on the left side of the tracks along a narrow path towards Güntersberge.
Above the mountain lake, you cross the Selketalbahn route again. Until Güntersberge, the path runs on the right side of the track. You pass the Katzsohlteich, where stamp station 172 of the Harzer Wandernadel is located. The Selketal-Stieg offers beautiful panoramic views of Güntersberge on the last section of the stage. At the Sängerblick, you can revive old traditions and delight people with a sung song. In the town, you will find accommodation and gastronomy. The Harzhotel Güntersberge also offers tourist information about the surroundings. The mountain lake invites swimming and boating in summer. In winter, there are attractive ski hiking trails in the nearby area. In the town, there is even a mousetrap and curiosities museum. Please note that the facility is only open irregularly.
If you only want to hike this stage of the Selketal-Stieg, you have the option to return from Güntersberge station to Stiege with the Harz narrow gauge railway or by bus.
Equipment
Sturdy hiking boots, drinks, and provisions for the way. Possibly poles.
Directions & Parking facilities
There are sufficient parking spaces at Stiege station.
Bus (www.insa.de)
Selketalbahn (www.hsb-wr.de/Fahrplan-Tarife/Fahrplaene/)
Additional information
Selketal-Information Harzgerode, Schlossberg 3, 06493 Harzgerode, Tel. 039484 74 76 123, stadtinfo@harzgerode.de, www.harzgerode-tourismus.de or www.oberharzinfo.de
Selketal-Information Ballenstedt, Anhaltiner Platz 7, 06493 Ballenstedt, Tel. 039483 263, kontakt@ballenstedt-information.de
Selketal-Information Gartenhaus, OT Pansfelde, 06543 Falkenstein/Harz, Tel. 034743 5 35 65, postfach@stadt-falkenstein-harz.de
Author
Harzer Tourismusverband
Organization
Harz: Magische Gebirgswelt
License (master data)
Safety guidelines
Stage 1 is also well suited for Nordic walking. There are no steep ascents to manage. The wide path is occasionally interrupted by a narrow trail. Therefore, the route is only conditionally suitable for cyclists.
Map
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