It is the Saale valley – Saaleck Castle loop from Rudelsburg

Hiking trails & Routes

Burgenlandkreis

Naumburg (Saale)

It is the Saale valley – Saaleck Castle loop from Rudelsburg

Moderate

4.6

(53)

151

hikers

It is the Saale valley – Saaleck Castle loop from Rudelsburg

04:36

16.5km

310m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily walkable paths. The route includes a crossing by ferry. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 1, 2026

This route includes a ferry crossing

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 13.6 km for 64 m

Open: • Tuesday-Friday: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM • Saturday-Sunday: 10:00 AM-6:00 PM (otherwise closed)

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

623 m

It is the Saale valley

Highlight • Viewpoint

on the lower sky path you have this beautiful view of the Saale

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Tip by

1.10 km

View of the Saale Valley and the castle ruins from Himmelreich

Highlight • Viewpoint

There is a bench to rest on and those who dare and have a head for heights can look at the edge. The path below is worth walking.

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Tip by

1.38 km

Himmelreich rock outcrop on the Saale River

Highlight (Segment) • Natural Monument

Amazing how big it was and the layers of shell limestone are just impressive.
Also, the ways to fall in love.

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3.42 km

Viewpoint

9.64 km

Saaleck Castle

Highlight • Castle

Saaleck Castle is the older of the two castles. It was built around 1050 as a border castle to protect a trade route. It has been uninhabited and derelict since 1585.

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Tip by

10.6 km

View of Rudelsburg and Saaleck castles

Highlight • Viewpoint

Here, near the Rudelsburg, you can linger and enjoy the view of the Saale valley.

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10.7 km

Lion Monument near the Rudelsburg

Highlight • Monument

A unique lion statue that is embedded in the backdrop of a quarry and commemorates the fallen of the First World War.

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Tip by

10.8 km

View of Rudelsburg and Saaleck Castles

Highlight • Viewpoint

here you will find a bench to take a break.

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13.8 km

Fountain sculptures in the Kurpark, Bad Kösen

Highlight • Monument

Great terrain for hiking 🥾 with many highlights.

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16.5 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.47 km

3.57 km

2.05 km

1.38 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

5.21 km

3.64 km

2.97 km

2.35 km

2.23 km

131 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (210 m)

Lowest point (110 m)

Weather

Monday 2 November

7°C

3°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

December 7, 2022,Runde von Großheringen über’s Himmelreich, den Finneweg und die Rudelsburg

Due to a missing pedestrian bridge over the Saale in Bad Kösen, our tour was 3km longer. But otherwise a nice round with a great break on the Rudelsburg - not least because the little dog was allowed in too.

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December 7, 2022,Bad Kösen – Rudelsburg - Runde von Großheringen

This Wednesday we hiked a round from Großheringen. First we went to the kingdom of heaven, then to Bad Kösen. To our surprise, the pedestrian bridge over the Saale no longer exists, which extended the tour by 3 km. Stop at the Rudelsburg restaurant and return to Großheringen. From there you can travel to and from Erfurt with the VMT …

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May 8, 2022,Wander Heroes #3: Zwei Burgen und ein Himmelsreich

A beautiful and easy hike, with numerous beautiful views and cozy places to stop. A classic in the Saale-Unstrut area, which, apart from the two castles, is not overcrowded even in May.

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February 18, 2024,Burg Saaleck – Aussichtspunkt "Himmelreich" Runde von Bad Kösen

Highly recommended, wonderful tour with start and finish point in Bad Kösen. Lots of history and great viewpoints along the way. Total about 20km because the battery was empty. This area will definitely remain in the portfolio.

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May 13, 2023,Packrafttour auf der Saale

The starting point of our hike this time was Bad Kösen. From there we hiked over the Rudelsburg to Kaatschen and finally paddled back to the starting point.

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October 15, 2023,Himmelreichweg

Started in Bad Kösen and did a nice Sunday lap on the Himmelreichweg.
After the major construction site, the path was really wild through the forest, but was worth it for the picturesque view of the Saale Valley.

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