Alexisbad – Hiking and History

Alexisbad combines hiking and architectural history. When planning, it helps to distinguish the Cliff Trail, a circular hiking trail, from the route of the Selke Valley Trail, and to consider historic buildings in terms of both when they were built and their original purpose.

Hiking and Landscape

The 9 km Cliff Trail is a circular hiking trail and part of the Selke Valley Trail. There are three viewpoints along the route. The Selke Valley Trail runs between Alexisbad and Mägdesprung. This distinction is useful for planning: the Cliff Trail is a specific circular route within the trail, while the Selke Valley Trail refers to the route between the two places.

A hike to the Selke Falls starts at Alexisbad station. Just before Mägdesprung are the Selke Falls, the Selke River and the Selke Valley Railway line. The Luisentempel stands on a plateau high above the Selke Valley. Before setting out, it is advisable to check the current condition of the Cliff Trail locally.

Historic Buildings

Alexisbad was officially opened on 12 June 1811. The St. Peter’s Chapel in Alexisbad was built in 1812/15 to a design by Karl Friedrich Schinkel as a tea pavilion. The dates refer to two different events: the opening of Alexisbad in 1811 and the construction of the tea pavilion in 1812/15.

The Köthen Hut was built in 1897 by the Köthen branch of the Harz Club as a shelter on Kapellenfelsen. The Engagement Urn was erected on Habichtstein in 1845/1846. Nobles from Württemberg donated it in memory of a stay at the Alexisbad spa. Thus, the focus is not only on buildings, but also on the place and occasion of a historic commemoration.

Traveling from the North

One way to travel from the north is via Quedlinburg. By train, first travel to Quedlinburg and then continue to Alexisbad on the Selke Valley Railway. Alternatively, you can take a long-distance bus to Quedlinburg and then bus route 242 to Alexisbad. As bus and train services may change, check current connections before your trip.

More to Explore in the Larger Harzgerode Destination

The larger Harzgerode destination is home to a natural toboggan run that descends 1,100 meters from the Harzgerode plateau, winding down to the Selke Valley and the promenade to Alexisbad. It covers around 75 meters in elevation. Whether tobogganing is possible depends on snow conditions; if there is too little snow, the route is also suitable for a winter hike.

Harzgerode Castle is a Renaissance building with a stair tower and a round tower. It was rebuilt between 1549 and 1552 and served as the residence of the Harzgerode line of the House of Anhalt from 1635 to 1709. At the HARZKUGELEUM in the castle, a wooden beech ball takes visitors through different themed worlds. Its shape and weight convey information about the Lower Harz, mining, nature, and local and regional history through the ages. Harzgerode is also home to St. Mary’s Church, a Baroque building dating from 1697 to 1699.

Discover more destinations: Neudorf, Dankerode, Siptenfelde, Güntersberge, Schielo

View the overview of the wider destination: Harzgerode.