To the Kyffhäuser

The starting point is the main train station in Nordhausen. From here, we follow the long-distance route uphill from the very beginning via Bahnhofstraße and Stolberger Straße out of Nordhausen towards Petersdorf. We continue via Buchholz, Iberg, and Stempeda to Rottleberode. Here we keep right and follow the main road until we turn left at the Pulvermühle/Schwenda junction. Until Schwenda, it goes steadily uphill for about 10 km.

From Schwenda, we continue to Hayn. Upon entering the town, we immediately turn right to reach Schwiederschwende via Karlsrode and Froher Busch. Here we keep right and face a long descent past Agnesdorf, over the A38, through Rossla to Kelbra.

From the center of Kelbra begins the famous northern ascent to the Kyffhäuser via Frankenhäuser Straße (B85). Over 5.3 km, countless switchbacks and about 300 meters of elevation gain must be overcome. Then it continues right at Rathsfeld towards Steinthaleben on a downhill stretch of approximately 7 km. In the town center, we keep right and finally return to Kelbra.

In the center of Kelbra, we turn left and follow the signs back to Berga, Uftrungen, and Rottleberode. Following the main road, we climb slightly uphill to Stollberg. Leaving the beautiful old town of Stollberg behind us, we continue uphill over Breitenstein to Friedrichshöhe. Arriving in the eastern Upper Harz, we keep left, turn onto the B242, and continue via Stiege to Hasselfelde. At the town exit, we leave the B242 and follow the B81 over Rotacker to the Sophienhof junction. Now follows the last tough ascent of the tour.

From Sophienhof, we reach Rotheshütte. From here, it goes steadily downhill on the B4 via Netzkater to Ilfeld. In Ilfeld, we leave the B4 and continue right over Appenrode and Werna to Ellrich. In the center of Ellrich, we keep left and return to Nordhausen via Guderleben, Mauderode, Hörningen, Herreden, and Salza.

Further information and road bike tour tips are available at www.rennrad-harz.de.