Runde der Sandsteinhöhlen

The medium-difficulty hike along the large sandstone cave and the Regensteinmühle mill near Blankenburg stretches over a total of almost 7 kilometres and takes around 2 hours to complete. The "Sandstone Cave Circuit" is suitable for all fitness levels.

The hiking trail starts at the car park on the old army road just north of Blankenburg. The first hiking highlight is the old army road on the Regenstein itself. This route, which was very important in the Middle Ages, has been largely preserved unchanged at this point. The "Emperors and Kings" hiking trail finally leads to the other sights of the hike, such as the large sandstone caves.

As a geological feature and a real insider tip in the Harz Mountains , they alone are definitely worth the long walk. The white spot in the middle of the pine forest is about the size of a football pitch and therefore offers space for children to run around, climb and play while the adults can relax in the Baltic flair. The huge sandstone rocks, in some of which caves have formed, illustrate the unspoilt nature and power of nature. Sand was extracted here until the end of the 19th century.

A few minutes further on, the next sandstone cave below the fortress is waiting to be discovered. The dark caves also invite children to play, while a wooden bench with a table is ideal for a rest. The next highlight on the hiking trail is definitely a unique experience for young and old:Regenstein Fortress. Its location on the rocks allows visitors to enjoy a wonderful and wide panoramic view.

To the north you can see the Heers with its pine forest and further south are the Harz foothills and the town of Blankenburg. The fortress is largely carved out of sandstone, which sets it apart from many other castles. The grounds of the Regenstein castle ruins are also still very well preserved, which is why they are always worth a climb.

Another absolute highlight of the hike is the historic Regenstein Mill. The replica mill wheels stand impressively in the rock, while the many documentation boards provide in-depth information about their background. The Regenstein Mill is definitely one of the most important stops on the Blankenburg Mill Hiking Trail. Not far after the Regensteinmühle, at the end of the mill race, water tunnels were painstakingly driven into the rock by hand, through which you can walk today. The hiking trail finally leads back to the starting point along the Mühlgrabenweg.