Karstwanderweg - Circular route 21 around Hainholz

The cultural and natural history is touched upon during the hike, as well as karst water, caves, sinkholes, disappearing streams, and karst springs, the settlement of Düna, and landscape management with the Harz Red Cattle again found around Düna. The route leads along the Rötzel hiking trail and explores the karst phenomena at Beierstein, whose waters flow underground as far as Förste. All other information about the area can be found on the information boards on site.

We recommend doing the circular route clockwise, starting first into Hainholz. There is a small nature trail with ten specially marked panels there. Nature conservation in Hainholz: “The gypsum karst landscape in the southern Harz is of unique natural value, great scenic beauty, and provides a habitat for diverse flora and fauna. The states of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia bear special responsibility regarding the gypsum karst landscape and have ... protected valuable parts of the gypsum karst landscape... Nature and landscape protection should also develop from the region and be supported by the local citizens, municipalities, and associations. ...” This declaration from the environmental ministers of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia from 1999 exemplifies the work done over more than 50 years around Hainholz, Beierstein, and the gypsum karst landscape between Schwiegershausen, Hörden, and Düna by many; citizens, farmers, municipalities, the Osterode district, the state of Lower Saxony, the federal administration, universities and scientists, associations, and initiatives.

This broad, diverse commitment is what makes it possible today, also during the popular Sunday hikes on the Karstwanderweg, for many Schwiegershausen, Düna, Hörden residents and other southern Harz inhabitants and their guests to experience an intact cultural and natural landscape here.