Klötzie Rise (Klötzie-Stieg)

From the cliffs above the Elbe river to the tiger lilies

The Klötzie is the name of the northern section of the old moraine landscape of the Drawehn Ridge, formed during the Ice Ages, which ends as a steep rim above the Elbe river valley. The steep slopes between the vineyard area in Hitzacker (Elbe) and Drethem create many natural observation points.

Natural paths, for the most part, follow the steep slopes up to the Tießau sandpit on the Osterberg. A striking feature along the trail, the lowland meadows near Tießau are affected by flooding as are the related plant and animal kingdoms.

From the Kniepenberg observation tower you will have a fantastic panorama view of the Elbe Riverscape Biosphere Reserve of Lower Saxony and the Drawehn Ridge.

Starting in Drethem, where the small, brick church from the 18th century shapes the town’s skyline with its copper onion dome, the trail turns toward the south and up the Klötzie Rise above the villages of Bahrendorf and Wietzetze.

Especially striking along the trail are the Leitstade megalithic tombs, including a stone tomb from the Neolithic period: 50 m long and 9 m wide, about 4,500 years old. After crossing the railway embankment, the colorful shelter that marks the gate to the fire lily path soon comes into view. The Drawehn Ridge Trail, part of the 180 km Wendland Loop Trail, runs parallel to this trail up to here.

The fire lily or tiger lily is particularly impressive in June. You can see them in full bloom on a side trip along the fire lily path.

Now the trail turns back toward Hitzacker (Elbe) and winds through a few more settlements. It crosses the railway embankment and continues until it meets the Klötzie observation tower again on the slopes above the Elbe river.