Elmkreisel

Stage 1

The start for the first stage is at Burgplatz in Schöningen. Following the signposting of the Elmkreisel, you leave Schöningen. Passing the St. Lorenz Church and the golf course, you reach Luxwinkel at the edge of the Elm. After passing the hiking map set up there, you will reach one after another the Golden Deer (22), the Elmsburg (23), and the burial mounds (24). The route continues past the Haukhütte to the five-sided stone. Here, the Heiliggrundweg leads to the southern edge of the Elm. With good visibility, you have an impressive view of Heeseberg, Huy, Asse, and on the horizon the Harz with the 1142 m high Brocken. Shortly afterwards, you arrive at the shelter by the Bödner Pond. Passing the pond, a natural path leads back westwards, where you continue via the Köthenweg to the Watzumer Hut. Once you have reached the Watzumer Hut, it is the ideal time for a cozy break (observe opening hours!). Refreshed, continue first on gravel, then on a narrow path, further to the Küblinger Trift. Here begins the "descent" to Schöppenstedt. Upon arrival, you can round off this first stage with a visit to the Eulenspiegel Museum (25).

Stage 2

The second stage starts at Elm-Asse-Platz in Schöppenstedt with the destination Bornum. You leave Schöppenstedt heading northwest to reach Kneitlingen, the birthplace of Till Eulenspiegel. The Eulenspiegel Monument (26) in front of the church commemorates the famous son of the town. On the cemetery, information boards describe further stations from Till's life. After a long ascent, you reach the highest elevation in the Elm, the Eilumer Horn (323 m). Arriving at the summit cross (27), don't forget to enter the summit book. The route then returns part of the same way to reach the Amplebener Kuhlen (28). From here, the descent into the Reitlingtal follows. There, a break in the homonymous excursion restaurant is recommended (observe opening hours!). Next, you climb up to the Drachenberg. From here, an idyllic hiking trail leads past the Kreuzquelle to the western Elm edge. At Diana Ruh, a spectacular view awaits you – to the north you can see Wolfsburg, to the west the silhouette of Braunschweig. Following the road further downhill, after a short distance you reach the stage destination Bornum.

Stage 3

For the third stage, you leave Bornum heading north, walk a short stretch uphill, and arrive in Königslutter to the east. Far ahead of the city gates, you can see the mighty Kaiserdom (16), one of the most significant Romanesque buildings in Germany. The medieval old town with numerous half-timbered houses and inviting squares invites a detour. Discover the Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments (17), the Geopark Information Center (18), or the approximately 900-year-old Kaiser-Lothar Linden Tree (29). Along the Lutter, which also gave the city its name, you return to the Elm. At Lutterspring (30), you reach the source house of the Lutter. Afterwards, the ascent to the Tetzelstein (31) follows. Eastwards, the hike continues to the Schunterquelle (32). Here you can inform yourself on the information board about the source of the Schunter and its course. The namesake excursion restaurant invites you for a break (observe opening hours), and those still with enough energy should make the detour to the Liesebach Mill (19) in Räbke. Afterwards, heading east along the Elm edge, you reach the Bornteich, then the Alte Warburg (33). After this exploration, you hike back to Güldenspring and along the Hopfengraben to Warberg Castle (34).

Stage 4

The start of the fourth and final stage is Warberg Castle. After passing through the town, the route leads you uphill again to the Elm. On narrow, natural paths, you reach the eastern edge of the Elm at Singplatz. Enjoy from the clearing the impressive view over the former inner-German border to the west of Saxony-Anhalt. From here, you return to Schöningen. Through the Volkspark, one of three parks and gardens in Schöningen, you reach the castle (35). Besides Schöningen’s town center with its charming half-timbered buildings, you make an interesting detour to three culturally valuable sights. Only 2.5 km east lies the Schöningen Research Museum (paläon) (14). There, you experience the history of early humans in a unique way. On the 24-hectare outdoor area, you can not only solve Stone Age tasks but also observe four specimens of the world's last wild horse breed. Directly adjacent to the outdoor area, you find the open-pit mine information point (21). Following the path further east, you reach the third place on this short route, where past and present unite. Right on the state border to Saxony-Anhalt, you find the last 350 meters of the originally preserved border installation – the Hötensleben Border Monument (20). The Elmkreisel closes with the return to Burgplatz Schöningen.