Altenau: Take me to the water!
If it is really hot in town it is a good idea to visit the Harz Mountains. However that does not always work! We tried our luck in the mining town Altenau. Even though we are walking alongside the Okerstausee (barrier lake) and hike in the Kellwassertal the scorching heat is almost killing us. The climb up to the Ochsenberghütte is tiring, only a panaché can bring relief.
Wine barrels that touch the heart
We start in the centre of the town and turn right at the Goethehaus – the poet is supposed to have stayed here overnight upon his climb onto the Brocken. We ascent steep stairs. We pass by the St. Nikolai church followed by another steep stairs. The green and hilly meadows around us remind us on the Allgäu. Well, that’s the way I like it. We walk above the village until we descend onto the healthy climate way. It runs parallel to the Oberharzer water economy. It is a beautiful path. Suddenly we pass by some wine barrels. Acutally this is not about the grape but the heart.
We continue towards the city limits, we aim at the Okerstausee. At first we circle the Okerstausee basin – a wonderful trail. Then we reach the barrier lake itself. There are a couple of families scrimmaging on the camping site and in the water – it is summer holiday of course.
We go past the Kellwasserhütte enjoying the view onto the Windbeutelkönig and the boats of the sailor’s club on the other side of the lake. After that it is getting serious. Nearly at the end of the barrier lake we turn right. We cross a bridge and see the ascend ahead of us.
One upon a time in the West
Apart from the ascend we walk in the noonday sun! We are lucky though that from time to time clouds are sliding in front of the sun. I can’t say why but it makes me think of an episode from a Bond film, when the agent and his combatant have to cross the Atacama desert without water. Well, we do have water, but still … Having reached the top we walk over to the Ochsenberghütte – our rescue. Protected by the hut, sitting in the shadow we refill our energy.
After this break we descend onto the Kellwassertal. And that is really nice. I am so happy about the numerous wonderful plants which are blooming, the joyful butterflies and bumblebees flying enthusiastically from flower to flower. Next to us the creek is cheerfully swooshing. I dunk my hands into the icecold water – it is so nice. The water is very clear here. All the stones can be identified and are shining in the sunlight. It is a magical place.
Five Groschen fountain
We are moving towards the Torfhaus but turn right before. There is another ascend. When we reach the Wellner-Weg we know that we are almost done. On the right hand side I see a sign saying: Five Groschen fountain. I have no idea what that is supposed to be. I am taking a dirt track which leads to a little creek. I cannot see a fountain far and wide. I don’t know what’s the meaning of it. Well I learn later that the alledged „fountain“ is a source.
The rest of the hike is easy. We pass by some beautiful flowers at the roadside. We enjoy once more the magnificent view onto the meadows before we descend to the village. Back at the car we put our rucksack in the trunk and head for the next beer garden. It is well deserved!
