High above the Selketal
The meteorologist forcast blue skies and bright sunshine for this weekend. The ideal weather for a nice trip. We want to go to the Selketal that offers three stamps of the Harzer Wandernadel next to a wonderful landscape: the IV. Friedrichshammer, the Schutzhütte am Mettenberg and the Selkesicht.
Romance on tour
I alter the romance tour which we selected for this saturday a little bit. With this bright blue skies and sunshine and the high visibility we definitely have to visit the Selkesicht, an outlook high above the Selketal. From there we do not only enjoy a magnificent view but also onto the castle Falkenstein. Upon reaching Mädgesprung and passing by the Carlswerk I realize that the museum is open today. We decide to take a look at the wonderful building designed by the architect Karl Friedich Schinkel. A staff member provides us with an overview of the former machine hall. Unfortunately the machines cannot be demonstrated anymore due to safety reasons. Still both the old apparatus and the architecture are worth seeing.
Quince beer at the Waldgasthof
We drive a little bit further down the road to our starting point at the IV. Friedrichshammer. Directly at the parking lot I discover a sign with a tempting offer: Partially fermented young wine, quince beer and pastries. Who has the heart to reject? The stop after our hike is for sure.
Blue skies high above the Selketal
At first we walk through the forest to the Selketalmühle. Between the skies it is still chilly, therefore I am happy to wear my winter jacket. From the Selketalmühle we walk right alongside the river Selke through the sun-dappled valley direction of the Schützhütte am Mettenberg. The air is wonderful fresh and pure on this early autumn day. From the Mettenberg we walk a little bit backwards and then turn right. Now we go uphill towards the Hohe Warte. We take a nice break here in the sun. From there the tour was supposed to lead us to the next stamp, called “Schirm”. Because I consider this stamp to be rather boring we decide to walk to the Selkesicht instead. The Selkesicht is a hill high above the Selketal and offers a magnificent view over the valley and to the castle Falkenstein.
Once again we enjoy the autumn sun to the fullest and allow ourselves another break. Well, we would have loved to stay longer but time is short to reach our planned stop at the Waldgasthaus in time. We speed up a little bit hoping to reach the Friedrichshammer again before the restaurant closes. Slowly but surely the sun goes down and plunges the forest around us in a wonderful light. Accompanied by quackish grey goose that fly high above us and seem to fly towards its wintering grounds. A look over the shoulder gives us a view over the hunting lodge Meiseberg which is located high above the Selketal on a forested hill.
That was a close thing
We reach the Waldgasthof five minutes before closing. The waitress gives us a nasty look when we ask shily for some coffee. We cajole her into it and finally she gives in to our request and provides us with coffee and beer. Being happy we take a seat outside and watch a cute little bird that joines us. I guess we could not have used this day better even though the Selketal is not an insider’s tipp anymore.
