The best cycling routes around Sösetalsperre

Wooden church with a wonderful organ. The unusual height is due to the fact that apartments for pastors and village teachers were previously housed in the basement.

The Upper Nassenwieser Pond – also known as the "Upper Nassewieser Pond" – is a historic reservoir in the Upper Harz Mountains. It belongs to a complex pre-industrial water management system and is located on the northwest slope of the Kehrzug massif, about two kilometers northeast of Buntenbock. The artificial body of water owes its name to its location in what was originally a marshy and inaccessible area on the upper reaches of the Innerste River. Source: https://www.harzlife.de/teiche/oberer-nassenwieser-teich.html

The Entensumpf (Duck Pond) is a small, former mining pond in the Upper Harz Mountains. It lies in a wooded area southeast of Clausthal-Zellerfeld, about 200 meters south of Federal Highway 242. Just a few dozen meters downstream from its source, the Innerste River is dammed here for the first time. The pond was created in the 17th century as the Upper Innerste or New Benedict Pond. It served as the water supply for the Neue Benedicte ore mine, the easternmost mine in the Burgstätter mining district, which operated until 1855. A system of ditches also allowed water to be channeled into the Hirschler Pond. After mining operations ceased, the pond, now known as the Rathsteich (Council Pond), was repurposed to supply Clausthal-Zellerfeld with drinking water via a wooden aqueduct. The approximately eight-meter-high dam was constructed using traditional Upper Harz building techniques and was later modified. The Entensumpf's elongated shape is striking: while reaching a length of up to 190 meters, its maximum width is only about 45 meters. The water surface covers only 0.35 hectares. For a long time, the pond was surrounded by dense forest, but forest regeneration has transformed its appearance into a brighter, more open space. The duck pond now appears largely natural, as the dam has blended harmoniously into the landscape over the centuries. The water level fluctuates considerably with the seasons; at full capacity, the water level is approximately 603.70 meters above sea level.

The numerous reservoirs of the Upper Harz water system served to continuously supply working water to the mines in the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, the ponds provide a magnificent natural backdrop to the region and bear witness to the ideas and ingenuity of the Harz miners who made continuous use of the hydroelectric power plant in their mines.

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The artificial lake lost its former purpose long ago. Today, Haderbach Pond is a popular fishing spot for all those who meet the requirements. Furthermore, the lake is a popular swimming spot during the warmer months, not least thanks to its easy accessibility. You'll find several suitable spots on the east and west banks. Swimming here is always at your own risk; it's not officially permitted anyway. Just a few hundred meters below the pond dam is the "Obere Innerste" campsite. From there, Haderbach Pond is a possible first destination for a short walk. Source: https://www.harzlife.de/teiche/haderbacher-teich.html

Ponds upon Ponds, Harz Water Regal

The building was built around 1645. It was primarily used to supply the Rosenhof mine and, after its closure, the power plant in the Ottiliaeschacht until 1981. Source: Wikipedia