The monastery, World Heritage and walking routes offer different ways to experience Walkenried. Would you like to learn more about the monastery complex, find out about the World Heritage, or also explore what the municipality has to offer? The sights and routes each have their own focus.
Monastery precinct and Discovery Trail
The Monastery Discovery Trail is a themed circular route with 13 stops in Walkenried and around the monastery. Illustrated information panels provide details about locations within the medieval monastery precinct. Before setting out, it is advisable to check the current trail conditions.
During the main season, a guided walk is also offered along the Monastery Discovery Trail within the medieval monastery precinct. You can discover the Gothic monastery complex, including the church ruins, the fully preserved cloister and important historic buildings from the post-monastic period. Advance registration is required for this seasonal offer. Check the dates and booking information before planning your visit.
World Heritage and monastery history
The World Heritage Information Center in Walkenried has a free exhibition with some interactive displays about the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Mines of Rammelsberg, Historic Town of Goslar and Upper Harz Water Management System.” It is the first of three information centers dedicated to this World Heritage Site. A 3D landscape model and video projection illustrate the transformation of the 3,000-year-old cultural landscape in the western Harz. The focus is therefore not only on the World Heritage Site itself, but also on how the landscape has changed. Check the latest opening information before your visit.
The Cistercian Museum at Walkenried Monastery offers a different perspective, with guided tours of the monastery and exhibition. It explores the everyday life of the White Monks, as well as the origins, rise and crisis of the medieval Walkenried monastic complex. The tours complement the information center’s focus on the landscape with the history of the monastery and its community. Check the latest schedule and booking details in advance.
Routes in the municipality of Walkenried
If you are looking for more hiking options in addition to the monastery trail, you can also explore the route collection for the municipality of Walkenried. It includes circular routes around the districts, as well as sections of the Harz long-distance hiking trails: the Harz Border Trail, Harz Baudensteig and Karst Hiking Trail. This collection covers the municipality, not just the village of Walkenried.
The municipality also has three Nordic walking routes, offering trails for different fitness levels. This makes them different from the themed Monastery Discovery Trail: here, Nordic walking is the focus, while the route collection brings together various circular routes and sections of long-distance trails.
City and scientific history in Göttingen
The broader destination of Göttingen offers a distinct perspective on the history of the city and science. The Old Town Hall was built in 1270 and served as a center for council and court meetings, as well as trade. The Gänseliesel has been Göttingen’s landmark since 1901. The Old Botanical Garden of Göttingen was founded in 1736 as a “hortus medicus,” or medicinal garden. Visitors can explore its historic greenhouses, tropical vegetation in the rainforest house and the Alpine garden.
The Forum Wissen in Göttingen offers insights into ongoing research and teaching. Its permanent exhibition, “Spaces of Knowledge,” covers 1,400 square meters and makes the processes involved in creating knowledge easier to understand. The twelve rooms contain more than 1,400 objects from the University of Göttingen’s collections. So while Walkenried focuses on its monastery, World Heritage and walking routes, Göttingen offers additional city and science-related themes.
Discover more destinations: Zorge, Wieda, Ebergötzen, Gieboldehausen, Gleichen, Fuhrbach, Scheden, Staufenberg.
Return to the main travel overview: Göttingen.
