Fall

Fall Hikes and Wine Experiences

Man with wine glass at the vineyard in Saale-Unstrutt

Autumn in Saxony-Anhalt is at its most beautiful: the forests in the Harz Mountains, in Fläming and along the Elbe River glow in warm shades of red and gold and invite you to go on long hikes. Especially popular are tours through the Harz National Park or along the Saale-Unstrut Wine Route, where nature and enjoyment can be combined. In the wine regions around Freyburg and Naumburg, the grape harvest begins now - a highlight for visitors who want to taste regional wines and experience the traditional winemaking craft up close.

  • Autumn hike on the circular forest trail near Elbingerode in the Harz Mountains: approx. 9 km, not too difficult technically, ideal for enjoying the colorful forests and with lots of information boards along the way.
  • Hiking nests in the Altmark: between Arendsee and Gardelegen. Many circular routes (3-20 km), varying degrees of difficulty - also ideal for day trips.
  • Bird and resting bird excursions, e.g. in Rätzlinger Drömling; the rangers show typical Drömling meadows and provide information on bird species and bird migration.
  • Junior ranger programs for children and young people: searching for tracks, research, puzzles, building, discovering nature. There is a "beaver gang" and monthly meetings for activities such as owls and birds of prey etc.
  • Nature rangers out and about in the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve: the rangers monitor areas such as banks, dykes, alluvial forests, take care of signage, waste disposal, water monitoring, etc. You can accompany them or take part in one of their guided tours.
  • Exploring the riverside trails: There are around 19 riverside trails ("Auenpfade") along the Elbe in the Middle Elbe, which are ideal for hiking and can often be combined with ranger explanations.
  • Wine hikes with views over colorful vines, encounters with winegrowers and cultural highlights where tradition, craftsmanship and wine are combined.
  • Winegrowers' festivals and opportunities to enjoy regional specialties with Saale-Unstrut wines - such as Federweißer, Winzervespern or local dishes.
  • High-quality wine tastings combined with culinary evenings or menus at special locations such as wineries or wine hotels, where wine, food and hospitality take center stage.
  • The Blütengrund near Naumburg: private vineyards open up, you hike through the countryside and vineyards and enjoy small wine and food stops directly at the winegrowers.
  • Culinary delights and wine in combination with music or special atmospheric supporting programs - for example autumnal menus, secco receptions and live music in historic surroundings.
  • State Harvest Festival in Magdeburg (Elbauenpark) - takes place annually in the fall when the harvest is complete. Visitors can expect a traditional festival with a colorful market, regional products, music, handicrafts and culinary specialties from Saxony-Anhalt.
  • Knights' Festival in Thale Spa Park - in October, daily from 10:00 to 19:00. A medieval spectacle with music, acrobatics, jugglers, jousting and market stalls - particularly popular with families and history buffs.
  • Kaiser-Otto-Fest in Magdeburg - at the beginning of October in Magdeburg city center. Historical city festival with market and theater scenes, jugglers, music, fire shows and costumes from the time of Otto the Great - a lively medieval experience in the heart of the city.
  • Reformation Festival in Wittenberg - every October 31, Reformation Day, is celebrated in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, where Martin Luther posted his theses in 1517. Around the market square, the castle church and the Luther sites, visitors can expect festive church services, historical markets, music, guided tours and a large cultural program. A highlight of the fall with spiritual and historical flair.
  • In the fall,LUMAGICA transforms the Elbauenpark into a magical world of light.

Special Hikes in the Fall

Hiking Nests in the Altmark

Hiking on the Stakenberg in Zichtau.

The "Hiking Nests" (Wandernester) of the Altmark are popular between Arendsee and Klietz. Forests adorned with the colors of autumn, fields and naturally romantic river meadows are waiting to be explored. Whether as a family, as a couple or completely relaxed on your own - almost 700 kilometers of hiking trails in the gentle north are worth every excursion.

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Around Magdeburg

It has been at home in the region west of the state capital for 180 years: the sugar beet - the white gold of the Magdeburg Börde! On the trail of the sweet beet, hikers can discover local producers, regional cuisine and exciting museums on the "Sweet Tour" route around Magdeburg.

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Karst Hiking Trail in the Southern Harz

Of course, hikes on the Brocken or around Wernigerode are always an unforgettable experience. But many other hiking surprises await in Saxony-Anhalt's most popular travel region. The Karst Hiking Trail in the southern Harz Mount ains connects Pölsfeld in Saxony-Anhalt with Bad Grund in Lower Saxony over a distance of 265 kilometers. Popular circular routes around Pölsfeld and Questenberg lead to sinkholes and caves. The former copper mines in the gypsum karst landscape are well worth a visit.

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Along the Elbe and to the World Heritage Sites

The Fläming Nature Park, the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve and the floodplain landscape of Lutherstadt in the middle of the World Heritage Region present not only world culture, but also a natural landscape of special quality. Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be selected as destinations for hiking routes here: the Luther sites in Wittenberg, the Bauhaus in Dessau and the Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz, which offers the Wörlitz Park as a walkable painting, especially in the colorful autumn.

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Day Trips along the Romanesque Road

Treasures of the Middle Ages - mysterious and magnificent: the Romanesque Road in Saxony-Anhalt provides a deep insight into history. 88 historic buildings look forward to welcoming their guests. A special autumn tip: between Freyburg (Unstrut) and Naumburg (Saale) there is a 13-kilometre "Tour of Romanesque Art", which leads to the town church of St. Mary in Freyburg and Neuenburg Castle, past vineyards and the house of the artist Max Klinger to Naumburg Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

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