Back in Our Hiking Boots: Exploring the “Halberstadt Switzerland” Region

Following last year’s Plessenburg excursion, months of anticipation finally gave way to swapping office attire for walking boots and heading outdoors together once more

With three routes to choose from, the decision was ultimately made to explore the Klusberge and Spiegelsberge hills near Halberstadt, an area often referred to as the “Halberstadt Switzerland” region. Characterised by striking sandstone formations, rugged cliffs, hidden caves, scenic viewpoints and tranquil woodland paths, the landscape promised a memorable day immersed in nature.

Under perfect hiking conditions, our 2.5-hour route led us through dense, vibrant forest and past several remarkable landmarks, including the Klusberge (Klus Rocks), the Fünf-Finger-Felsen (Five Finger Rock) formation and a First World War aviation memorial. The monument commemorates the crash of a Linke Hofmann R-14 Type, so-called “giant aircraft”, an impressive machine with a wingspan of 36 metres.

As the walk progressed, the natural beauty of the region gradually gave way to a fascinating glimpse into its lesser-known history. Along the route, we passed an old bunker system in the forest, known locally as “Makrele 1”. Originally a rock cellar, the site was expanded into an underground tunnel complex by forced labourers during the Second World War and later converted into a bomb-proof production facility for the German armaments industry.

Between May 1944 and April 1945, the Junkers aircraft works relocated the manufacture of aircraft wings and fuselage sections for various Junkers aircraft models to the “Makrele 1” tunnels. The codename itself reflected the strict camouflage system employed by the Nazi armaments industry, in which existing underground facilities were often assigned the names of fish or amphibians. Following the war, the tunnels served as a field hospital and emergency shelter before being largely demolished and partially blasted by Soviet occupation forces.

Having journeyed through both breathtaking scenery and significant chapters of regional history, our hike concluded in the Spiegelberge Landscape Park. There, eleven colleagues from our Wernigerode and Magdeburg offices rounded off the day together with lunch, a few energetic games of Frisbee and even a chance to operate an excavator.

What began as a simple walk through the woods became a day of discovery, conversation and shared experiences — a welcome reminder that some of the best journeys start the moment we step away from our desks and into our hiking boots.