Path to the Stone Age

This passage offers both history and active geology! At the roadside lies the Steinrinne, where mining of a high-quality travertine layer in the last century opened a time window to an episode of significant human history 400,000 years ago! The remains of the "homo erectus bilzingslebensis" rank among the oldest human finds in Europe.

Teichholz near Bilzingsleben is a geologically active zone, which gave birth to its youngest pond overnight in 2013. Not far from there, in Kindelbrück, lies the Gründelsloch, a mighty karst fissure spring that delivers around 15,000 liters per minute of water with a fantastic play of colors. The bottomless hole is Thuringia's most powerful spring! Going upstream leads to the Wipper gorge near Günserode. Here, millions of years ago, the Wipper forcefully forced its way through the mighty Muschelkalk ridge of the Hainleite. The steep slopes form the realm of an impressive orchid landscape.

Please note that the passage between Bilzingsleben and Günserode is locally diverted due to a landslide in March 2024 until further notice! The detour is signposted! There is danger to life and limb!