Selketal-Stieg 3: From Alexisbad (train station) to Selkemühle

You start your hike at Alexisbad train station. First, use the footpath leading towards Silberhütte. At the information board for the Selketal-Stieg, cross the road and then a small bridge. A narrow path, the Klippenweg, leads you uphill to the Engagement Urn. Enjoy the fantastic view for a moment and add stamp 177 to your Harz hiking badge booklet.

The Klippenweg gently guides you through the rocky valley slope and connects the Habichtstein rock with the rocks of Schalkenburg and Mägdetrappe. Various viewpoints make this section both educational and spectacular. As the name suggests, Alexisbad has a long tradition as a spa town. In 1765, the personal physician to Prince Friedrich Albrecht of Anhalt-Bernburg discovered the iron spring. Under Duke Alexius, the development progressed and the spring was channeled into a bathhouse. It’s no surprise that many famous names visited here. Later, you pass through the rock formation in the Pioneer Tunnel. Afterwards, you reach the Köthener Hut and the Mägdetrappe. In May and June, you can admire meadows of lily of the valley. In the summer months, the path is lined with blueberries.

Before starting the steep descent into the valley, let your gaze drift over the Selketal from the Mägdetrappe. This place gives its name to Mägdesprung. A small indentation in the rock has the shape of a human footprint – the Mägdetrappe. Legend says a giant woman once jumped over the Selketal and left her footprint behind.

In 1646, the ironworks under Mägdesprung was founded. The ironworks significantly shaped the settlement. Even today, the industrial culture shapes the town’s appearance. The Carlswerk is open to visitors during the summer months. The Mägdesprung Obelisk was cast in 1812 by order of Duke Alexius Christian Friedrich of Anhalt-Bernburg at the ducal ironworks Mägdesprung, erected by him, and dedicated on August 15, 1812, by the duke in memory of his father, Prince Albrecht Friedrich.

In Mägdesprung, the Selketalbahn railway and the Selketal-Stieg trail separate. Behind the industrial museum, the Selketal-Stieg leads downstream along the Selke riverbank. At the so-called "Lampe," you pass the narrowest point of the Selketal at 15 meters. Afterwards, the deep forests open the view onto lush meadows and the gentle side of the Selketal. You walk through the nature reserve, which boasts a unique flora and fauna.

At the Fourth Hammer, you find stamp station 179 of the Harz hiking badge. From there, it’s only a few kilometers to Selkemühle. There, the Selketal-Stieg crosses the Albrechtsweg, which leads to the Anhalt castle ruins. This castle was rebuilt by Albrecht the Bear as a mighty stronghold with brick walls and used as a "show castle." The name of the federal state Saxony-Anhalt is derived from it. Another stamp station is located here.

On the third stage, you must overcome some elevation gain. The Selketal-Stieg runs sometimes above the village, then again directly parallel to the Selke river in the valley. Since there are currently no overnight accommodations at the destination Selkemühle, it is advisable to use the holiday apartments in Mägdesprung at the 3rd or 4th Hammer. The last opportunity for public transport connection is also in Mägdesprung.

Sturdy hiking boots, drinks, and provisions for the way. Possibly poles. There are few places to stop for refreshments, some of which are only open on weekends.

Parking lots are available both at the starting point Alexisbad train station and at the destination Selkemühle.

You have connections to public transport (bus and Selketalbahn) only in Alexisbad and Mägdesprung. The destination "Selkemühle" cannot be reached by public transport. Accommodation can be found at the 3rd and 4th Hammer in Mägdesprung.

Bus (www.insa.de)

Selketalbahn (www.hsb-wr.de/Fahrplan-Tarife/Fahrplaene/)

​Selketal-Information Harzgerode, Schlossberg 3, 06493 Harzgerode, Tel. 039484 74 76 123, stadtinfo@harzgerode.de,www.harzgerode-tourismus.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

www.dasselketal.de

The Klippenweg offers unique views over the Selketal. Also take a look inside the Carlswerk Mägdesprung and learn more about the industrial history in the Selketal (May - September).

Not far from the Selketal-Stieg near Mägdesprung is the Selkewasserfall – a wonderful place of power. Use the small hiking trail from Drahtzug to the waterfall.

The Klippenweg is partly narrow and steep.

www.harzinfo-shop.de/onlineshop/kartenmaterial