On singletrails high above Ilfeld
Whoever is looking for a combination of a sporty challenge and spectacular views this is the right place. We walk on singletrails high above Ilfeld. And casually three stamps of the Harzer Wandernadel can be collected on this trail. Guideline for this round trip is the description “Singletrails at Ilfeld”. We modified the tour a little bit. Three years ago I walked high above Ilfeld for the last time and like the South of the Harz right away.
A challenging starting stage
From the sports ground at Ilfeld we aim high. We walk on the Südharzer Dampflok Stieg that is really challenging us. Even though the ascent is quite steep it is also beautiful. The trail leads us to the Bielsteine. With this sunny and warm autumn weather the view from the Bielsteine is magnificent. It is not easy to part ourselves from this wonderful sight and the corresponding picnic place, but we are still up to some other sights.
Just some steps away we reach the Kupfertalsklippe. An informationboard on this cliff would have been helpful. Our next goal is the 211 metre high Poppenbergturm. Upon reaching it the place is already packed. No wonder with this weather. The ascent via 177 steps onto the free-standing building with a view to the Kyffhäuser is a point of honour.
The big challenge
Underneath the Poppenbergturm we enjoy a lunch break in the warm autumn sun. Via the Brockenblick we walk towards the Dreitälerblick. And suddenly we are facing a big challenge. Whereas we are talking quite relaxed about tit and tat I suddenly start to slide. Uh, what is that? In front of us lies a really steep descent with a lot of small stones and quite loose underground. Well, I did not expect that. That is why we chose the secure alternative at the roadside and use the dropped down leaves as a kind of brake. We arrive safely at the bottom. But that is not all. The trail becomes more narrow and steeper. On time I slide towards the abyss with my right foot. Uh, concentration is the name of the game here. Congrats! I think this trail is not for greenhorns.
motorcylce noise at the Dreitälerblick
We arrive at the Dreitälerblick. At this place three valleys meet: the Brandesbachtal, the Beretal and the Schuppenbachtal. Plus from this outlook you can see the Netzkater. Unfortunately the idyll is disturbed by nerve-racking motorcyle noise. Not a good place for a picnic.
Adventurous ways up to the Herzberg
Thinking that the hardest part lies behind us we find out that another challenging distance is yet to come. After having left a mud hole behind us another difficult ascent is waiting for us on the left hand side: the adventurous ascent onto the Herzberg. Oh well, that is so good for our calves and thighs. We mobilize our last energy. At the bench on top of the Herzberg we breath deeply before we reach the last highlight, the Ilfelder Wetterfahne. This is good for another wonderful view onto Ilfeld.
Sitting on a bench we enjoy the eve atmosphere, the last sunshine and the pride to have mastered this last effort. A real challenging but also beautiful hiking trip. The way back to Ilfed passes by the Burschenklippe. This cliff provides us with another magnificent view. Our last piece until we reach the starting point again runs again a steep descend – but by now we are used to it.
