Kelbra (Kyffhäuser): Hiking by the Reservoir

Kelbra (Kyffhäuser) is the starting point for a hike of about five kilometres to the reservoir; other trails from here lead to destinations in the surrounding area. The different trail lengths give you a concrete guide when planning how much hiking you would like to do during your stay. Regional bus connections are also useful when planning your trip.

Walk from Kelbra to the Reservoir

The trail from Kelbra to the reservoir is about 5 km long. It passes through Kirchtal and Volpertäler and over Thaleber Berg before descending to the reservoir. Along the way, it offers panoramic views across the lake. These sections describe the route to the water; the view over the reservoir is a highlight in its own right.

More Hiking Destinations and Trail Lengths

Hiking trails from Kelbra lead towards Kyffhäuser (about 19 km), to Barbarossa Cave (about 10 km), to Königspfalz Tilleda (about 7 km), and to the Numburg Karst Area (about 4 km). The shortest of these routes leads to the Numburg Karst Area, while the longest heads towards Kyffhäuser. The trails to Königspfalz Tilleda and Barbarossa Cave fall between them in length. This means you can consider both the destination and the approximate distance when choosing a route.

Another option is the Kyffhäuser Northern Edge Hiking Trail. It runs from Kelbra via Kulpenberg and the Rothenburg castle ruins to Kyffhausen Castle. Possible return routes are listed in the directions of Tilleda or Sittendorf; Brockenblick is suggested as a viewpoint. Check trail conditions locally before setting out on this hike.

Plan Your Bus Journey

Kelbra is served by regional bus connections. VGS routes connect the town with, among other places, Sangerhausen, Stolberg, Roßla, Berga, Bad Frankenhausen and Sondershausen. The town also provides information on booking the on-demand bus. Check current connections and timetables before travelling, as availability and times may change.

More Topics in the Wider Mansfeld-Südharz Destination

The wider Mansfeld-Südharz destination also offers hiking and cultural attractions. The long-distance Luther Trails network runs for more than 81 kilometres through the area, passing important sites of the Reformation. In Eisleben, the houses where Martin Luther was born and died are among the Luther sites.

Questenberg offers a distinctive nature and festival experience: the area around the town is part of the South Harz Karst Biosphere Reserve and was designated a nature reserve as early as 1927. A hike near Questenberg begins at the festival grounds in the centre of the town. Every year at Pentecost, the Questen Festival is celebrated there according to an old tradition, as a continuation of what is believed to be a millennia-old Germanic solstice cult. Check the current programme before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Klostermansfeld, Arnstein, Berga, Allstedt, Südharz, Hergisdorf, Wimmelburg, Mansfeld

Back to the wider travel overview: Mansfeld-Südharz.