Abandoned and forgotten — mysterious lost places around Leipzig
Hiking Collection by MDV - Mitteldeutscher Verkehrsverbund
7
Tours
20:01 h
48.5 mi
1,075 ft
Sleepy and long since abandoned to nature and decay, the old, red brick factory stands in the middle of the bustling city. A tree grows out of one of the smashed windows. Inside, the paint is peeling, the plaster is flaking. Cobwebs and dust dominate the scene where once mighty machines hammered loudly to complete their work. Countless buildings in and around Leipzig and Halle share a similar history and fate. On our Tours, we take you to these mysterious lost places, on a journey back in time to the era when the now-dilapidated walls were still filled with work and life.
On one Tour, discover the bittersweet story of a former chocolate factory in Leipzig. You can also visit one of the once largest breweries in Central Germany and a former machine factory – both still exude a particular charm today. The old slaughterhouse you visit in Halle is almost 100 years old. Not far away, the abandoned flour mill sits enthroned on the Saale river. On your walks through this city, you’ll get to know its past and present.
Things get spooky around Dessau. The disused crematorium near the cemetery is sure to send a shiver or two down your spine. In contrast, you can well imagine how children and teenagers once rejoiced in the old water slide – now overgrown with green algae – at the pool near Bad Schmiedeberg. While birch trees and shrubs are visibly taking possession of the former malt factory in Köthen.
While exercising your spirit of discovery, please always be aware that old, abandoned buildings pose a certain danger. Some of the walls are in danger of collapsing, there are often shards of glass from broken windows on the ground and noxious fumes can escape from the infrastructure. Therefore, limit your explorations of these ephemeral beauties to the exterior, keeping a respectful distance.
As always, all Tours are easy to reach by public transport, and the start and end points of the hiking routes are connected to the MDV rail network. The MDV tariff has been in effect on the train routes in the far north since the end of 2019, so your ticket is also valid here.
On The Map
Tours & Highlights
- 03:007.31 mi2.4 mph125 ft175 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Sweet and soapy - you have to manage this balancing act first. With this tour we will take you to where the ocean meets chocolate bars. Or better: met. But in addition to a good portion of history, nature is not neglected on your way from the Wahren district to the former post station. Look forward to…
- 02:024.96 mi2.4 mph75 ft75 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
The sugar-sweet Halloren balls are probably Halle's best-known product for every sweet tooth. But did you know that the chocolate factory, in which sweets are still lovingly produced today, is the oldest in Germany? Unfortunately, not all locations that you will visit on this tour share this happy fate…
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- 04:5511.7 mi2.4 mph425 ft425 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Green algae cover the tunnel-like water slide, through which a lot of children cheered. Bushes and trees conquer the former sunbathing lawns and deep cracks run through the sun-drenched light dome. Before you arrive at this unique Lost Place, an absolutely natural hike from Bad Düben through the Dübener…
- 02:245.88 mi2.4 mph75 ft75 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Can you take a little bit of horror? Then this tour out to Dessau-Roßlau to the old crematorium is just right for you. And in order not to make the excursion too gloomy, there is an old theater waiting to be discovered by you at the end. Curtain up!
In Dessau-Roßlau it starts right at the train station…
- 03:137.78 mi2.4 mph175 ft200 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Beer and letterpress are the theme of the tour. But not only that: In addition to the impressive abandoned production facilities in the western part, you will also get to know the green side of Leipzig. An excursion to experience and discover!
With the S-Bahn line S3 it goes out to Leipzig-Lützschena…
- 02:346.20 mi2.4 mph150 ft150 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Flour and meat, beer and sugar - at the end of the 19th century, almost everything the city dwellers needed was being produced in Halle. And in a big way! Some of the impressive industrial buildings such as the old flour mill and the former brewery are still standing today and are waiting for your visit…
- 01:524.59 mi2.5 mph50 ft50 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
Halle and Leipzig were undoubtedly the centers in Central Germany where industry experienced its boom at the end of the 19th century. But production and infrastructure were also created outside of the big cities. This tour gives you an insight into the abandoned and forgotten places of Köthen.
The RE…
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Collection Stats
- Tours7
- Distance48.5 mi
- Duration20:01 h
- Elevation1,075 ft
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