エッツェルスローデの天然記念物・トップ20

Beautiful panorama of Ellrich, always beautiful here in every season.

a nice and clean shelter at the crane ponds, it's not far from here to the "HIstorical gypsum kiln".

The crane ponds offer some great photo opportunities, a circular route leads around them, and it's not far from here to the "Historic Gypsum Kiln" stamping point

The two ponds are located near Bad Sachsa, west of the Neuhof district, and were created by the monks of the Cistercian monastery of Walkenried starting in the 12th century. A nature trail – a hiking trail – leads from the parking lot at the Crane Ponds in Neuhof around the Upper and Lower Crane Ponds, as well as the remains of other ponds. Because of their proximity to nature, the ponds are now part of the "Gypsum Karst Area near Bad Sachsa" nature reserve, which extends in several areas from Tettenborn to the Thuringian border; the area is also part of the European Natura 2000 protected area network. Crystal algae thrive in the clean, calcareous water of the ponds. The still waters also provide good conditions as a partial habitat for great crested newts. The marsh harrier also lives in the water-rich landscape near Neuhof and can occasionally be observed. Short detours from the trail lead to special features of the area: the Kranichstein quarry, where raw gypsum has been mined since the early 20th century, a historic gypsum kiln, and the Priestersteinhöhle natural monument, a shallow cave in the gypsum of the Kranichstein. The Lower Kranichteich is approximately 300 m long and 130 m wide, while the Upper Kranichteich is approximately 150 m long and 200 m wide. Both ponds are a true fishing paradise: In addition to the main species, trout, anglers can look forward to eel, pike, carp, and tench.

An overview of all (regular) 222 stamping points for the "Harz Hiking Pin" popular with many can be found on the following website: www.harzer-wandernadel.de/stempelstellen/uebersichtstabelle

After the slight ascent to the refuge (HWN 166), you can sit down for a short rest and enjoy the first view of the valley. From then on the wonderful Karst hiking trail begins. Unfortunately not suitable for visitors with prams or walking aids.

If you come from below, you cannot see the stamping point, but you can see a very nice view from the Sachsenstein

Wonderful view, directly with a bench and refuge to linger.