Weddersleben – Devil’s Wall and the Harz Foothills

Hiking and scenery around Weddersleben

The circular hike starts at the Devil’s Wall car park by the Bode bridge between Weddersleben and Neinstedt. It follows the “Teufelsmauer” (“Devil’s Wall”) signposts and the “Teufel” (“Devil”) trail markers. As trail details can change, check the route before setting out. The named starting point and trail markers provide a clear reference for planning the circular route.

Further afield, the Teufelsmauerstieg trail runs for 35 kilometres. Opened in August 2009, it leads from Ballenstedt to Blankenburg, following all the rocky elevations of the Devil’s Wall. This offers a choice of different hiking options: a circular route starting at the Bode bridge and a longer trail between two towns. The Teufelsmauerstieg’s opening in August 2009 also gives it a distinct historical connection.

The view from Königsstein offers another way to take in the landscape. From the Devil’s Wall at Königsstein, you can see the wooded edge of the Harz, the northern Harz foothills and Weddersleben to the north. Forest, foothills and village together make up this panorama. St Michael’s Church provides a local architectural landmark; it is in Weddersleben.

Trails and culture in the wider destination of Thale

The wider destination of Thale also offers historic sites and themed trails. Wendhusen Monastery was founded in Wendhusen in 825; Wendhusen is now part of Thale’s Old Town. The Thalenser Mythenweg is a themed walking trail from the entrance to the Bode Gorge to the Old Town. It features thirteen sculptures created by different artists. The trail thus combines a route through Thale with artistic works.

The Devil’s Wall themed trail offers a different hiking option: it runs through Thale and passes all the distinctive rock formations of the Devil’s Wall. Thale is also a starting point for hikes into the Bode Gorge and the starting point of the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg trail. These trails have different named destinations and routes, so you can factor them into your holiday plans according to the kind of hike you are looking for.

Thale also offers a range of cultural attractions. The Harzer Bergtheater is an open-air theatre on the Hexentanzplatz. Its programme includes mystical stories, legendary fairy tales, operettas, musicals, plays and concerts, and changes seasonally. Check current performance dates before your visit. The Thale DDR Museum focuses on domestic and everyday life in the GDR, offering a distinct subject matter.

Two other attractions in Thale can be reached by different lifts: the chairlift operated by Seilbahnen Thale Erlebniswelt takes you to the Rosstrappe rock massif, while the cable car takes you up to the Hexentanzplatz. Operating hours vary by season, so check the timetables before your trip.

Choose the right focus for your holiday apartment

Your plans can help you decide which holiday apartment to look for. If you want to focus on the circular hike from the Devil’s Wall car park or the view from Königsstein, plan around Weddersleben. If you are mainly interested in the Mythenweg, the theatre, the museum, the cable cars or the trails in the Bode Gorge, look to Thale as the wider destination.

For a hiking-focused stay, you can choose between the local circular route and the longer and themed trails in the wider destination of Thale. If you would like to add cultural attractions, consider Wendhusen’s founding history, the Mythenweg’s sculptures, and the different focuses of the theatre and museum. Your planned excursions can help guide your search for a holiday apartment.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Altenbrak, Westerhausen, Treseburg, Allrode, Neinstedt, Stecklenberg, Friedrichsbrunn

Go to the wider travel overview: Thale.