Things to Do in Oberes Selketal
Nature Reserve Guide
Oberes Selketal is a nature reserve in the Harz district of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, characterized by the deep valley carved by the Selke River. This landscape features elevations ranging from approximately 520 meters at its source, dense mixed forests, and peaceful meadow valleys, many under nature conservation. The geological formations and natural spectacles like the Selkefall contribute to a diverse environment suitable for several sports like hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, mountain biking, and more.
Things to Do in Oberes Selketal
…168
Routes
4.6
(3687)
Average rating
12597
People visited
4.8
(1001)
3,059
hikers
11.9km
03:14
170m
170m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.7
(252)
854
hikers
15.8km
04:32
350m
350m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.8
(233)
688
hikers
6.38km
01:45
100m
100m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(157)
509
hikers
17.9km
05:17
440m
440m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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4.9
(9)
213
riders
120km
05:33
1,500m
1,500m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
18
riders
95.7km
04:35
1,130m
1,130m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
5.0
(3)
18
riders
71.6km
03:24
630m
630m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
5.0
(2)
19
riders
62.5km
02:49
630m
630m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.7
(56)
175
riders
47.5km
03:37
750m
750m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
4.8
(10)
28
riders
35.7km
02:51
690m
680m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
4.5
(6)
10
riders
26.1km
02:10
340m
340m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
5.0
(1)
6
riders
45.9km
03:38
740m
730m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.8
(70)
245
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(47)
178
riders
61.1km
04:04
710m
710m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.2
(12)
62
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.3
(7)
25
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(7)
26
hikers
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
5.0
(8)
22
hikers
17.0km
05:28
470m
470m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.9
(10)
31
hikers
13.4km
04:51
620m
620m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.6
(7)
15
hikers
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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5.0
(2)
12
riders
40.4km
02:54
730m
730m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
14
riders
33.4km
02:06
470m
470m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(5)
16
riders
47.7km
02:48
570m
570m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(2)
8
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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10
runners
12.6km
01:21
180m
180m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(1)
7
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(1)
6
runners
8.95km
00:58
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.0
(1)
5
runners
19.1km
02:08
290m
290m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Oberes Selketal nature reserve?
The Oberes Selketal is a nature reserve located in the Harz district of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. It is defined by the deep valley carved by the Selke River, featuring dense mixed forests, peaceful meadow valleys, and notable geological formations. Elevations range from approximately 1,700 feet (520 meters) at the river's source.
What outdoor activities are available in Oberes Selketal?
Oberes Selketal offers a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, road cycling, touring cycling, and mountain biking. The region features more than 100 routes across these sports. Over 10,000 visitors have shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
What are the most popular hiking routes in Oberes Selketal?
Popular hiking routes include the 7.4-mile (11.9 km) Selkefall (South Bank) – Köthener Hut loop from Alexisbad, rated as moderate. Another option is the 9.8-mile (15.8 km) Köthener Hut – Pioneer Tunnel loop from Mägdesprung. For more options, consult the Hiking in Oberes Selketal guide.
Are there easy hiking trails suitable for beginners or families?
Yes, Oberes Selketal offers easy hiking trails. An example is the 4.4-mile (7.0 km) Selkefall Waterfall – Selkefall (South Bank) loop from Alexisbad, which is rated easy. More options can be found in the Easy hikes in Oberes Selketal guide.
What are the best mountain biking trails in Oberes Selketal?
Mountain biking options include the challenging 29.5-mile (47.5 km) Falkenstein Castle – Selke Valley Trail loop from Alexisbad. The 22-mile (35.3 km) Selke Valley Trail – The Schirm loop from Mägdesprung is another popular moderate route. For a comprehensive list, refer to the MTB Trails in Oberes Selketal guide.
What are the main natural and historical attractions in Oberes Selketal?
Key attractions include the picturesque Selkefall (Selke Waterfall) and the 12th-century Burgruine Anhalt (Anhalt Castle ruins). The region also features numerous viewpoints, such as the Köthener Hut and the Engagement Urn on Habichtstein. The historic Selketalbahn narrow-gauge railway offers a unique way to explore the valley.
Are there touring cycling routes in Oberes Selketal?
Yes, touring cyclists can explore routes like the 23.7-mile (38.2 km) Selkefall Waterfall – Falkenstein Castle loop from Alexisbad. Another option is the 19.6-mile (31.6 km) Selke Valley Nature Trail – Upper Selke Valley Nature Reserve loop from Alexisbad. More information is available in the Cycling in Oberes Selketal guide.
What komoot guides are available for Oberes Selketal?
Komoot offers several guides for Oberes Selketal, including Hiking in Oberes Selketal, MTB Trails in Oberes Selketal, and Cycling in Oberes Selketal. There are also guides for Easy hikes and Waterfall hikes.
How can I get information or contact the Oberes Selketal region?
The official website for the broader Selketal region is dasselketal.de. For direct inquiries, contact Selketal-Information Ballenstedt at +49 (0) 39483 5071 - 0. Other information offices are available in Harzgerode and Falkenstein.
Are there any long-distance hiking trails in Oberes Selketal?
The 46.9-mile (75.5 km) Selketal-Stieg long-distance hiking trail traverses the eastern Harz Mountains and the Selke Valley. It leads past forests, meadow valleys, and mountain slopes from Stiege to Quedlinburg. The trail also features 26 stamping points for the "Harzer Wandernadel" hiking badge.
What is the Selketalbahn?
The Selketalbahn is a historic, steam-powered narrow-gauge railway from the 19th century. It connects numerous sights throughout the Selke Valley, offering a unique and nostalgic way to explore the region and its attractions.
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