A forested ridge walk above the Rappbodetalsperre, Germany's tallest dam, with views down onto the reservoir and the Titan RT suspension bridge that spans the gorge below.
This ridge trail winds through forest above the Rappbodetalsperre, a reservoir formed by damming the Rappbode and Hassel rivers, whose 106-metre-high dam wall is the tallest in Germany. The path follows the wooded slopes on either side of the gorge, offering a series of viewpoints down onto the turquoise reservoir and, from several angles, the Titan RT, a long pedestrian suspension bridge that spans the valley near the dam and ranks among the longest of its kind in the world. The main loop covers about 7 km with 150 m of elevation gain, rated Easy to Moderate, and can be extended or shortened using connecting paths toward Wendefurth or Elbingerode. Walking the ridge trail itself is free, while crossing the Titan RT bridge, a separate paid attraction with a small ticket booth at its access point, is optional but popular for the exposed views straight down to the water. The dam and reservoir supply drinking water to a large area of central Germany, and interpretive panels along the route explain its engineering and ecological role.
| Difficulty | Easy-Moderate (T1-T2) |
|---|---|
| Best season | April to October |
Trail facts
- Trail area
- Rappbodetalsperre, near Wendefurth and Elbingerode
Weather through the year in Germany
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Germany.
Highlights
- Views over Germany's tallest dam (106m) and its reservoir
- Sight lines to the Titan RT suspension bridge spanning the gorge
- Mixed forest ridge walking above the Rappbode and Hassel valleys
Tips for visiting
- The Titan RT bridge, one of the world's longest suspension footbridges, is a short walk from the trail and worth combining as a paid add-on
- Viewpoints along the ridge give a full sense of the dam's scale without needing to walk across the bridge itself
When to visit
Clear days give the best visibility of the reservoir's turquoise water and the bridge structure; weekday visits avoid the busiest bridge-crossing queues.
Accessibility
The main viewpoint areas near the car park are level and paved; the forested ridge sections further out are natural surface and uneven.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Rappbodetalsperre notable?
Its dam wall, at 106 metres, is the tallest in Germany, and the reservoir it forms supplies drinking water to a large area of central Germany.
What is the Titan RT?
It is a long pedestrian suspension bridge spanning the gorge near the dam, one of the longest of its kind in the world, and a separately ticketed attraction.
Do hikers need to pay to walk the ridge trail?
No, the ridge trail itself is free; only crossing the Titan RT suspension bridge requires a separate ticket.
Is the trail suitable for a half-day visit?
Yes, the 7 km loop with viewpoints takes about two hours, easily combined with a bridge crossing for a fuller half-day.