Weinberg to Steinberg

At the east end (town side) of the Frankenberger Pond, we follow the steeply ascending path along the forest edge (Harzklub hiking path 8D, 1F, Auerhahn). At the top, the "Felsenkeller" is signposted. This artificial gorge is part of the former defensive ditch. The path now leads downward again until it meets a path, which we follow uphill to the right until the next junction on the left. At this cross stands the monument of the chief forester Kühtz. Our route (signposting: Auerhahn, to hiking path 8D) runs slightly downhill in a right curve. At the junction by the treehouse, we keep half left, pass the sign for the bird cherry and a few meters further turn right at the "animal long jump." Here we are in the middle of the forest adventure trail, for which there is a separate route description. This recreational area "Weinbergstieg" was created by the chief forester Reuss to bring the forest closer to the people and the built-up area for recreation and education. For this, he created comfortable promenade paths and enriched the landscape by planting a variety of tree and shrub species. Mainly beeches and oaks grow here, but also maples, pines, and larches.

We keep right, walk slightly uphill until we discover a forest gap at a crossroad ahead. We follow the steeply ascending path to the left uphill. After about 100m, when a railing secures us before the steep slope, an impressive view opens up. The path later meets a road, which we cross, emerging from the forest. Here we have the choice to follow either the steep meadow path we chose or the easier path parallel to the road. Both meet again at the playground "Under the Oaks."

The easier route begins directly on the left behind the road ditch and meets our meadow path at the playground.

However, we follow our meadow path, which runs briefly level, then after a left curve climbs very steeply. Already halfway but at the latest at the next bench, you should take a break and look back. Enjoy the romantic view of Goslar's old town. Beyond the road, we see at Rammelsberg the buildings of the ore mine. At the top, we meet a path which we follow gently downhill to the playground.

The crossing tarmac road leads us right uphill for 50m before we leave it on the left forest path (signposting: Great King's Way, Granestausee dam 4.3 km). While it circles Königsberg, we pass alternating spruce and beech forests. Since the medieval Harz mining, spruce has mainly been planted for economic reasons. Forestry is increasingly departing from this monoculture and planting beeches, native to the Goslar highlands. Several times we can catch a view of the Granestausee from above. After 1.2 km, we reach a fork and choose the left downhill path until it crosses a path coming from the valley. Beyond the path is a former, now water-filled slate pit (slate mining). We follow the path uphill, out of the forest until it meets a parking lot. Here we can decide to take a 600m steep detour up to the Steinberg Tower.

Detour to Steinberg Tower

To reach the Steinberg Tower, we cross the parking lot until we reach a tarmac road which we follow left uphill. After some time, on the right, you see the "Dresden Bank Hut", from which you can view Rammelsberg and its mining buildings. Shortly after, the Steinberg Tower can also be seen between the trees, offering a wide view of the Harz and the Harz foreland from its viewing platform. To continue the hike, we have to return to the parking lot.

Continuation of the hike

We arrived from below at the parking lot. Several paths lead over the meadow on the left. We take the middle, contour parallel path over the meadow, cross a narrow forest tongue, also cross the following meadow to its forest edge and go steeply downhill. At the end of the forest, the meadow path bends right towards the ponds. We circle the ponds to read the information board on the opposite side. This biotope has been extensively renaturalized. Please stay on the designated paths. Opposite the board, on the other side of the path, is another slate mining area. Accordingly, this path is called "Slate Path." We follow it about 300m downhill and leave it to the right. Since the junction is not easily recognizable, pay attention to the signposting: Harz Forester's Trail, Goslar, House at Steinberg, Kaiserpfalz. The "Harz Forester's Trail" connects over 60 km Goslar with Riefensbeek-Kamschlacken near Osterode. Our path, equipped with benches, runs along the forest edge and offers a wide view over Goslar and the Harz foreland from the valley-side meadows. After a small junction and a short steep ascent, the path meets a forest path, which we follow downhill. Along the way, we pass the monument of Mayor Klinge before reaching the "Old Toboggan Run" on the outskirts of town. It ends in sight of our starting point.

Paths: forest, meadow paths and trails

Sturdy footwear is recommended.

• A7 Hamburg / Hannover towards Kassel or Kassel / Göttingen towards Hannover
• Exit Rhüden (Harz) / Goslar and via B82 to Goslar
• A395 from Braunschweig direction
• Exit Goslar via B6 to Goslar

• Frankenberger Pond
• Nonnenberg
• Lower Triftweg
• Old Toboggan Run

• Train: Direct connections to/from Hannover, Halle (Saale), Braunschweig, Göttingen, Kreiensen
• Bus: Direct connections to/from Salzgitter Bad, Bad Harzburg, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Vienenburg, Wolfshagen, Liebenburg, Altenau, Langelsheim

Harzklub Goslar e.V.www.harzklub-goslar.de