The best cycling routes around Rotenberg

Perhaps in summer, after a long dry spell, you can get through the ford well. In any case, it wasn't possible at the end of February.

The route was not destined for a long life: 100 years ago, on November 1, 1911, the Herzberg - Bischofferode section was put into operation. The continuation of the line to Bleicherode Ost had already been opened between 1908 and 1910. After the Second World War, the zonal border divided the route at Zwinge station. On the west side of the route, passenger traffic ended as early as 1961, and freight traffic was discontinued in 1982. On the east side of the route, the part maintained by Deutsche Reichsbahn, passenger traffic between Zwinge and Bischofferode ended in 1972 and, after the closure of the local potash mines in 1993, freight transport also ceased. The year 1998 meant the definitive end of the route with the discontinuation of the section to Bleicherode Ost. Source: https://www.karstwanderweg.de/publika/harz_kur/201011/index.htm

The Bleicherode–Herzberg railway line was a 41 km long, single-track, non-electrified branch line that served the eastern Eichsfeld and the Ohm Mountains. It connected the Halle–Hann. Münden railway line near Bleicherode with the South Harz line in Herzberg am Harz. It was mainly used for freight transport from several former potash mines, most recently in Bischofferode, and to a former lignite power plant in Rhumspringe. On the Lower Saxony side, the line has been almost completely converted into a cycle path. However, a section is missing in Rhumspringe, as two bridges were demolished beforehand, and the section between the Hilkerode halt and Zwinge station was also not converted due to a parallel field path. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahnstrecke_Bleicherode%E2%80%93Herzberg

In the first half of the 16th century, the Reformation was introduced in the Principality of Grubenhagen, to which Herzberg then belonged, by Philip I. As a result, the population of Herzberg became Evangelical Lutheran. In the 19th century, a Catholic parish was formed again in Herzberg. In 1857 a house property was purchased, and since 1858 Catholic church records have been kept in Herzberg. From 1893 to 1895, the church was built on the house property. On August 4 or 15, 1895, its consecration took place. On June 2, 1898, the parish of Herzberg am Harz was established. Source: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Josef_(Herzberg_am_Harz)

From Pöhlde, past the Pöhlde Mill, below the Rotenberg hill, through the meadows to the Oderklause weir. Continue past the oak trees, to the ford (leading to the glider airfield) and on to Hattorf. I cycle this route almost daily; it's a beautiful one.

The new level crossing can be crossed without having to go around the barrier.

The bridge was part of the Leinefelde–Wulften railway line, also known as the Lower Eichsfeld Railway. The Wulften–Duderstadt section was opened on November 1, 1889.

Nickname "Bimmelbrücke": The bridge got its popular name because the train constantly rang its bell ("bimmelte") when crossing the iron Oder bridge to warn of the many unguarded level crossings.