Köthener Hut – Pioneer Tunnel (Pioniertunnel) loop from Harzgerode

Hiking trails & Routes

Köthener Hut – Pioneer Tunnel (Pioniertunnel) loop from Harzgerode

Moderate

4.8

(673)

1,833

hikers

Köthener Hut – Pioneer Tunnel (Pioniertunnel) loop from Harzgerode

03:26

12.2km

210m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 20, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Oberes Selketal

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

1.69 km

Oberes Selketal Nature Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

cute and very educational 👍🏼

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3.07 km

Köthener Hut

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Definitely the most beautiful hut in the Harz! Looks like a church and after the steep ascent invites you to take a contemplative break with the best view. ;)

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3.88 km

Friendship Cliff – View into the Selke Valley

Highlight • Viewpoint

This small bench is about 50 meters off the path, but the short detour to the Friendship Cliff is definitely worth it. During a break you can enjoy the wonderful …

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4.12 km

Alexius Cross Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Alexius Cross was erected near Mägdesprung in memory of Duke Alexius Friedrich Christian von Anhalt-Bernburg. During the Second World War, the cross was shot through and fell down into …

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4.14 km

Mägdetrappe Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

The legendary Mädgetrappe is a depression in the rock above the Harz village of Mägdesprung. According to legend, a giantess left her footprint in the stone when she jumped over …

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.49 km

View of the Selke Valley and its winding road

Highlight • Viewpoint

If you look for a small trail before (or after) the Pioneer Tunnel, you will end up right on the steep cliff, which offers an unobstructed, incredible view of the "small" road below.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.50 km

Pioneer Tunnel (Pioniertunnel)

Highlight • Structure

An approximately ten meter long rock breakthrough on the pioneer path. There's no way around it. In the truest sense of the word "We have to get through this". :-)

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.57 km

Pioneer Cliff

Highlight • Viewpoint

A small bench offers the opportunity to rest and the views are beautiful.
The most interesting section of the Selketal Victory.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

12.2 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.29 km

2.58 km

2.19 km

1.99 km

550 m

427 m

184 m

Surfaces

4.91 km

3.34 km

2.45 km

937 m

591 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (410 m)

Lowest point (290 m)

Weather

Today

Wednesday 7 October

14°C

6°C

94 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

February 17, 2025,Selketalstieg bei Mägdesprung und Alexisbad

Since we found this tour in autumn to be our favorite time of year, we always wanted to compare the experience with winter. Although autumn is still ahead, winter is just as beautiful when the weather is ideal.

Showing Translation

December 22, 2021,Kleine Rundtour Alexisbad

The first half of this relaxed tour led high above the Selke between Alexisbad and Mägdesprung, first to the HWN 177 engagement urn and then on the Pionierweg and tunnel of the same name to the HWN 195 Köthener Hütte. A nice place for a 2nd breakfast in the sun.
Via the Mägdetrappe it went down to Mägdesprung and from …

Showing Translation

October 24, 2024,Harz - Alexisbad - Verlobungsurne - Pioniertunnel - Selketal

Since I was struck down with a really bad cold 🤧 last weekend for the first time in ages, I was happy to finally be able to breathe fresh forest air into my lungs 🫁 again today.
The Selketal with its many little highlights has been on my to-do list for ages and since I'm still panting like an old …

Showing Translation

June 1, 2024,Harz: Das Selketal, wohl das idyllischste Flusstal des Harzes mit Selkefall & Pionierweg

As sad as we were last night when we looked at the weather app, we are just as happy in the morning. The sun is shining and only a shower is forecast for midday.

We park just behind Mägdesprung and immediately head up to the Selke-Stieg. On a beautiful, slightly rooty and stony forest path we reach the Mägdetrappe and …

Showing Translation

August 26, 2021,MÄGDESPRUNG- SELKEFALL-WASSERFALL 🙋🏼‍♀️🐶🌧⛈☔️

While we're here, I really wanted to go to the Harz Mountains
So we started today with the great Selketal😍
There is so much to see there that you can't get it all wrapped up in one round
We'll be here until Sunday and maybe we'll make it to the Harz Mountains again. Unfortunately, the weather leaves a lot …

Showing Translation

March 1, 2026,Alexisbad HWN 177, 195, 2024/05 👩🏼👧🏼

🅿️ 3/34
51°39′12.27″N
11°07′02.34″E

177 Engagement Urn
195 Köthen Hut
2024/05 Selke Falls

Showing Translation

September 4, 2021,Köthener Hütte – Verlobungsurne (HWN 177) Runde von Mägdesprung

We did this round with the “Cologne Group”. The Selke Valley Railway with the steam locomotive even just passed the café. The café is currently only open on weekends.

Showing Translation

December 26, 2024,Kleine Runde um Alexisbad 😎🌲

Short hike around Alexisbad in beautiful sunshine 🌞. At home everything was still grey but from Quedlinburg the sun came out and so we had the best hiking weather 😎🌞🎄

Showing Translation