Large circular hike NSG Hainholz-Beierstein

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 Düna, and landscape management including the Harz Red Highland Cattle that can be found again around Düna. The route follows the Rötzel hiking path and explores the karst phenomena at Beierstein, whose waters flow to Förste.

All further information about the area can be found on the explanatory panels on site. We recommend doing the circular route clockwise, starting first into the Hainholz. There is a small nature trail with ten panels that is especially signposted.

Nature conservation in Hainholz: “The gypsum karst landscape in the South Harz is of unique natural value, great scenic beauty, and offers habitat for a 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 it... Nature and landscape conservation should also develop from the region and be supported by local citizens, municipalities, and associations...”

This extract from the declaration by the three environmental ministers of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia from 1999 exemplifies the work done over more than 40 years around Hainholz, Beierstein, and the gypsum karst landscape between Schwiegershausen, Hörden, and Düna by many people; citizens, farmers, municipalities, the Osterode district, the state of Lower Saxony, the federal administration, universities and scientists, associations, and initiatives. This broad and varied commitment is why today, for example on the much-loved Sunday hikes on the Karst hiking trail, many Schwiegershausen, Düna, Hörden residents and other South Harz locals and their guests can experience an intact cultural and natural landscape here.