Discover Sülzhayn: hiking trails, half-timbered houses and the village church

Half-timbered houses, a distinctive village church and hiking trails give Sülzhayn a character of its own. The Rhododendron Festival in May adds to its appeal. With the village’s appearance, a measured circular route and scenic excursions, you can tailor your stay to suit different interests.

Hiking trails and views

The Thuringian section of the Harz Circular Trail runs through the district of Sülzhayn. One precisely measured route is the “Around Sackberg” circular trail: it is 2.9 kilometres long and climbs 70 metres, with an elevation ranging from 290 to 360 metres above sea level. The Harz Circular Trail’s route through the district and the specific distance figures for the Sackberg loop therefore offer two different points of reference.

The “Around Sackberg” circular trail starts at the spa park and follows shaded forest paths and sunlit granite paving. Benches are regularly spaced along the route. The distance and elevation gain provide a framework for planning; the changing sections of trail and the benches add details about the surface and places to rest.

Accessible hiking trails in Sülzhayn allow wheelchair users to enjoy excursions with views of the Harz Mountains or the nearby karst area. These add two different landscapes to the list of possible views. When choosing an excursion, you can consider both a loop described by its distance and elevation gain and trails that offer these views.

Village architecture and festival traditions

Sülzhayn’s many half-timbered houses and distinctive village church blend harmoniously into the natural surroundings. The combination of timber framing, the church and the landscape shapes the village’s character and adds a cultural dimension alongside its hiking trails.

Since 1996, the Sülzhayn Local History and Cultural Association (Heimat- und Kulturverein Sülzhayn e. V.) has held the Rhododendron Festival every year on a Sunday in May in the rhododendron park. The festival is a recurring reason to visit, with its timing tied to May. If you would like to plan your trip around a particular edition, check the latest local information in advance.

When planning your stay, the main difference between these attractions is their timing: hiking trails and the village’s appearance are available alongside the Rhododendron Festival, which takes place on a Sunday in May.

A closer look at Ellrich

Ellrich is the wider destination, with additional cultural and landscape attractions. The Ellrich Town Museum has a printing workshop. On request, the printing press can be set in motion so visitors can print a small personal keepsake.

The St. Spiritus hospital complex in Ellrich includes the hospital church, which houses a late Gothic Marian altar dating from the 15th century. Ellrich’s Frauenkirche on Marienberg was first mentioned in 876. The town’s architectural history is also on display: Ravensturm, Spritzenhaus and Brauhof form a historic ensemble in Ellrich, and Brauhof was redesigned in autumn 2000. The Ellrich Fire Brigade Museum was officially opened on 9 September 2001, on the Day of the Open Monument.

The hiking trails also provide points of reference in Ellrich. Circular Route 12 follows the signposted Karst Hiking Trail almost all the way between Ellrich and Walkenried, passing through the gypsum karst landscape in the Himmelreich nature reserve. The Karst Hiking Trail runs from Ellrich railway station to Juliushütte. The site of former gypsum factories and a former satellite camp of a concentration camp is now a memorial.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Hesserode, Neustadt/Harz, Hainrode/Hainleite, Harztor, Ellrich, Wolkramshausen, Hainleite, Harzungen

Back to the main travel overview: Nordhausen.