Kelbra (Kyffhäuser): Hiking with a View over the Reservoir

Kelbra (Kyffhäuser) can be explored on short local trails and longer hikes. One trail leads from the town down to the reservoir and offers panoramic views over the water. Those who enjoy getting around on foot will also find routes with different destinations and distances.

From a local trail to longer hikes

The short trail from Kelbra to the reservoir is about 5 km long. It leads through Kirchtal and Volpertäler and over Thaleber Berg before descending to the water. The panoramic view over the reservoir is one of the highlights of this route. This trail offers a way to experience the landscape on a route that starts in Kelbra and includes a descent to the reservoir.

For a longer hike, the Kyffhäuser-Nordrand-Wanderweg leads from Kelbra via Kulpenberg and the ruins of Rothenburg Castle to Kyffhausen Castle. Possible return routes include paths towards Tilleda or Sittendorf; a view of the Brocken is also suggested as a vantage point. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Other trails from Kelbra head towards the Kyffhäuser, Barbarossa Cave, Tilleda Royal Palace and the Numburg Karst Area. Their respective lengths are approximately 19, 10, 7 and 4 km. This range helps you gauge the length of hike you have in mind: at about 4 km, the trail to the Numburg Karst Area is considerably shorter than the approximately 19 km route towards the Kyffhäuser. These are individual routes to different destinations; the distances do not describe a single continuous hike.

When looking for accommodation, you can first consider which of these trails you want to include in your stay. Whether you choose mainly the short local trail or plan a longer hike to a specific destination makes a difference to your day’s itinerary. The distances provide a guide; check local trail conditions before a longer hike.

Getting here by regional bus

Kelbra is served by regional bus connections. VGS services include routes linking Kelbra with Sangerhausen, Stolberg, Roßla, Berga, Bad Frankenhausen and Sondershausen. The town also provides information about booking on-call buses. If you are planning your hike around bus travel, check routes and timetables before your trip.

Mansfeld-Südharz as a wider travel destination

Beyond the trails around Kelbra, the wider travel destination of Mansfeld-Südharz offers a variety of themes to consider when planning your trip. In Eisleben, the houses where Martin Luther was born and died are among the Luther memorial sites. In the Mansfeld-Südharz region, the Luther Trails run for more than 81 kilometres past important Reformation sites, offering a distinct focus for hiking.

Klostermansfeld is home to St. Mary’s Monastery Church. It was probably built around 1140 as a three-aisled Romanesque basilica for a Benedictine monastery; 1170 is considered its official founding year. The church is part of the Romanesque Road cultural route. In Mansfeld, the Luther Fountain offers a different highlight: Paul Juckhoff created the Luther monument in 1913 in the Art Nouveau style. The plinth on Lutherplatz also serves as a fountain and bears bronze reliefs depicting Luther’s parents and Martin Luther as a 13-year-old boy.

The area around Questenberg brings together natural landscapes and festive traditions. It is part of the South Harz Karst Landscape Biosphere Reserve and was designated a nature reserve as early as 1927. In Questenberg, the Questenfest is celebrated every year at Whitsun according to an old tradition, continuing what is believed to be a millennia-old Germanic solstice cult. If you plan to attend the festival, check the programme for the relevant year.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Berga, Südharz, Lutherstadt Eisleben, Gerbstedt, Klostermansfeld, Mansfeld, Wallhausen, Stangerode.

Back to the wider travel overview: Mansfeld-Südharz.