Sülzhayn: Hiking Trails, Village Church and Culture

If you’re looking for a hotel in Sülzhayn, you can plan your stay around nature trails, the village’s character or culture. The village’s half-timbered houses and striking church blend harmoniously with nature; there are also circular trails and an annual festival held in May. The wider destination of Ellrich offers other distinct cultural and hiking attractions. This means your travel plans can include activities in Sülzhayn as well as historical attractions in Ellrich.

Hiking in Sülzhayn

The Thuringian section of the Harz Circular Trail runs through the Sülzhayn district. One precisely measured loop is the “Around the Sackberg” trail: it is 2.9 kilometres long and climbs 70 metres, with an elevation range of 290 to 360 metres above sea level. Its distance and elevation gain give you clear reference points for planning your hike.

The circular trail runs from the spa park along shaded forest paths and sunny granite paving. Benches are placed at regular intervals along the route. This means that, in addition to distance and elevation gain, the trail surface and places to rest can also help you plan your hike.

In addition to the Sackberg circular trail, Sülzhayn has wheelchair-accessible hiking trails. These allow wheelchair users to enjoy outings with views of the Harz Mountains or the nearby karst area. This is a separate factor to consider when choosing a hiking focus: the specific circular trail is described by its distance and elevation gain, while the accessible trails are highlighted for the outings and views they offer.

Village Church and Rhododendron Festival

The village’s character is shaped by numerous half-timbered houses and its striking church, which blend harmoniously with nature. If you’re interested in the built environment as well as the trails, these houses and the church offer a distinct focus for your stay.

The Rhododendron Festival in the Rhododendron Park is a date-specific event. The Sülzhayn Heritage and Cultural Association (Heimat- und Kulturverein Sülzhayn e. V.) has held it annually on a Sunday in May since 1996. If you’d like to plan your trip around the festival, check local information about that year’s event before making your plans.

Culture and Trails in Ellrich

In Ellrich, the Hospital Church is part of the St. Spiritus hospital complex. The church houses a late Gothic Marian altar from the 15th century. The Church of Our Lady on Ellrich’s Marienberg was first mentioned in 876. These two details highlight different aspects of history: the altar is a specific furnishing in the church, while the date refers to the first mention of the Church of Our Lady.

The historic complex in Ellrich includes Ravensturm, the fire station and the Brauhof; the Brauhof was renovated in autumn 2000. Ellrich Fire Brigade Museum was officially opened on 9 September 2001, on Open Monument Day. These dates refer to different events: the renovation of part of the complex and the museum’s opening. The Fire Brigade Museum is in the centre of Ellrich. From the market square, follow Ravenstraße to the Brauhof.

The Ellrich City Museum has a printing workshop. On request, the printing press can be started up so visitors can print a small personal souvenir. If you’d like to include this activity in your plans, ask in advance whether an appointment is possible.

The Karst Hiking Trail also runs through Ellrich, from the railway station to Juliushütte. This is the site of former gypsum factories and a former satellite camp of a concentration camp, and is now a memorial. Circular Route 12 follows the signposted Karst Hiking Trail almost all the way between Ellrich and Walkenried, through the gypsum karst landscape in the Himmelreich Nature Reserve. Ellrich therefore offers both historic sites and trails through the karst landscape as distinct travel interests.

Discover more destinations: Harzungen, Neustadt/Harz, Rodishain, Ilfeld, Ellrich, Hohenstein, Hesserode, Niedersachswerfen.

Back to the wider travel overview: Nordhausen.