Circular route Zillierbachtalsperre (HWN 36)
- 2:40 h
- 9.98 km
- 122 m
- 122 m
- 472 m
- 551 m
- 79 m
- Start: Elbingerode: Corner Waldbreite / Unter den Birken
- Destination: Elbingerode: Corner Waldbreite / Unter den Birken
The circular hiking trail, which includes sections of the forestry-themed trail, begins with a "detour" to the premises of the Diakonissen Mutterhaus, where you can discover and visit an architectural special feature – the Diakonissen Mutterhaus building in the Bauhaus style. It continues through deciduous forests and open spaces, always with a view of the Brocken, directly to the inlet of the Zillierbachtalsperre. Following the right side of the reservoir, you walk right to the dam wall and to the Peterstein viewpoint with a stamping point and rest area. From there, it continues on comfortable hiking paths with a slight ascent to Hermannschacht, an old mining shaft which today serves as an entrance and exit corridor for bats. Somewhat hidden, on the right along the meadow edge, one reaches the "Brockenblick" viewpoint with a very old beech tree. After a short picnic, it leads back to Elbingerode, with a small detour to the rest area Hirschbrunnen with fresh spring water.
Good to know
Pavements
Best to visit
Directions
We start the hike at the corner of Waldbreite / Unter den Birken and cross the street to the Bodfeld Pharmacy. On the footpath, walk about 350 m towards the town exit, where you cross the street again and enter the hiking trail.
Follow the trail about 1.8 km to the junction (Russenhay). There, keep left and then immediately right and follow the path downhill towards the Zillierbach inlet. After about 700 m, the trail forks again. Keep right and you will reach the inlet of the Zillierbachtalsperre directly.
Our hike continues on the right side always with a view of the dam wall to the Peterstein viewpoint with a stamping point and seating area. After enjoying the view and collecting the stamp of the Harzer Wandernadel, continue towards Hermannschacht, an old disused mining shaft. Opposite the dam wall, the main hiking trail Wernigerode goes uphill towards the "Alte Forsthäuser". After about 900 m, you reach another fork. Here, keep left and continue following the signposts to "Alte Forsthäuser". Past the forester's houses, there is another fork after about 900 m. Follow the sign to Hermannschacht here. Note: The turnoff to the old shaft is about 50 m on the left side. Signposts inform about the shaft and its current use as a bat shaft. If you cross the meadow on the left side and walk along the edge of the trees on the right-hand side, you will reach the somewhat hidden "Brockenblick" viewpoint after about 100 m, with seating and a fantastic view over the meadow to the Brocken massif. There is a station of the forest educational trail with a very old beech tree. After a scenic rest, we return on the same path to the two old forester's houses. Between the forester's houses, continue to the shelter at Eisenstraße towards Elbingerode. After about 2.4 km, you have the option to take a detour to the Hirschbrunnen, a rest area with a natural spring. Follow the signposts. After an informative stay, return to the main path and follow the street back to our starting point.
TIP: Right at the beginning or at the end of your hike, you have the opportunity to see an architectural special feature. On the grounds of the Diakonie is the Diakonissen Mutterhaus – a building in the Bauhaus style.
Additionally, along the hike, you will repeatedly encounter signposts about forestry and woodland, as parts of the hike are on the forestry educational trail.
Equipment
Sturdy footwear, functional clothing, packed lunch in a backpack, sun and rain protection.
Remember to pack a (mobile phone) camera, the Harzer Wandernadel stamp booklet, and optionally binoculars.
Directions & Parking facilities
You can reach Elbingerode by car
- via the B27 from Braunlage and Blankenburg
- and via the B244 from Wernigerode.
Parking is available around the Mutterhaus Elbingerode.
The Harz town of Elbingerode can be reached by bus of the Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe:
from the direction of WernigerodeÂ
from the direction of Blankenburg
from the direction of HasselfeldeÂ
from the direction of Braunlage
from the direction of Benneckenstein
The INSA – your route planner for local transport in Saxony-Anhalt >>
TIP:Â
With the Harzer UrlaubsTicket, you are mobile free of charge throughout the entire Harz district.
HATIX – free use of public bus lines of Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe, Q-Bus local transport company, Halberstädter Verkehrs-GmbH, as well as Verkehrsgesellschaft Südharz in the Harz district. Now also free use in the counties of Goslar and Göttingen.
More information at: www.hatix.info
Additional information
Tourist Information Elbingerode
Markt 3
38875 Oberharz am Brocken
Tel.: 039454 - 89487
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
On this route, you have the opportunity to collect a stamp of the Harzer Wandernadel.
No. 36 - Peterstein Viewpoint
Tip 2: At the start of the hike, feel free to visit the Diakonissen Mutterhaus, which was built in the Bauhaus style and also has a very special architectural feature.Learn more here >
Safety guidelines
There are no known safety warnings.
On some sections, there can be sudden impairments, detours, and trail closures due to forest change and storm damage. Please inform yourself shortly before your hike.
Current notices can be found here >
Map
Bike and hiking map "City Oberharz am Brocken"
Nearby
Download GPX file