Neinstedt: Marienhof on the banks of the Bode and nearby circular trail

On the outskirts of Neinstedt lies the historic Marienhof farm on the banks of the Bode. With its café, juice pressing using fruit grown on the farm, and an adventure playground, the farm offers several specific reasons to visit. Neinstedt is also on the Magdeburg–Thale railway line. A circular hike on the Teufelsmauerstieg begins nearby; the wider destination of Thale also offers its own hiking and cultural attractions.

The Marienhof: farm, café and juice from home-grown fruit

The Marienhof is a historic farm. Its café serves breakfast, a light lunch menu, coffee and homemade cake. The café’s offerings and service may change, so it is a good idea to check the latest café information before your visit. Guests can have their own fruit pressed into juice at the Marienhof. This option is available seasonally; it is best to ask the operator directly about current availability. The farm thus combines history with a direct culinary connection to its own fruit.

The Teufelsmauerstieg: a circular hike nearby

The circular hike on the Teufelsmauerstieg starts at the Teufelsmauer car park by the Bode bridge between Weddersleben and Neinstedt. After a short climb, the trail reaches the Teufelsmauer and the Königsstein. A wooden staircase then leads downhill, before the route passes the Mittelsteine. It reaches the paved Thalenser Chaussee; after a few metres, a turn-off leads up a gentle slope to the Papensteine.

Further along, the path runs beside the rock formations and joins a paved farm track. Signposts there point towards Thale and Neinstedt and bear the Kaiserkrone trail marker. The return to the car park follows a hiking trail along the Bode, signposted towards Neinstedt and Weddersleben. The circular route therefore links several clearly defined sections: a short climb to the Königsstein, a descent down steps, another gentle climb to the Papensteine, and the riverside return.

Rail connections and adventure playground

Neinstedt is on the Magdeburg–Thale railway line and is easy to reach for travellers without a car. Check the current timetable for your specific travel dates. The Marienhof has an adventure playground and a small petting zoo. In suitable weather, the playground is open for play during café hours. If you are planning to stop here with children, take both the weather and the café’s opening hours into account.

Thale as a wider travel destination

Thale offers other, independent hiking and cultural attractions. The Thale Myth Trail is a themed walking route from the exit of the Bode Gorge to Thale’s old town. It features thirteen sculptures created by various artists. This is distinct from the Teufelsmauer themed hiking trail, which runs through Thale and passes all the prominent rock formations of the Teufelsmauer.

Thale also offers a different focus on history and culture. Wendhusen Abbey was founded in Wendhusen in 825; the site is now in Thale’s old town. The Thale GDR Museum explores domestic and everyday life in East Germany. The Harz Mountain Theatre is an open-air theatre on the Hexentanzplatz. Its seasonally changing programme includes mystical stories, legendary fairy tales, operettas, musicals, plays and concerts.

Other attractions in Thale include the two lifts operated by Seilbahnen Thale Erlebniswelt: take the chairlift to the Rosstrappe rock massif or the cable car up to the Hexentanzplatz. Timetables vary by season, so check them before travelling. Thale is also a starting point for hikes into the Bode Gorge and for the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg trail.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel plans

The Teufelsmauerstieg is another option nearby; its starting point is at the Bode bridge between Weddersleben and Neinstedt. Compare the location of each accommodation with the places you plan to visit, and check the timetable for your travel dates.

Discover more destinations

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

Return to the main travel overview: Thale.