Selke Valley Railway

The Selke Valley Railway is a narrow-gauge line running about 43 kilometers through the Selke River valley in the Harz region, connecting several towns. The route passes through forested hills and follows the river's natural course, with both historic steam locomotives and modern diesel trains operating over the same tracks.

The line opened in 1887 as the first narrow-gauge railway in the Harz Mountains, originally run by the Gernrode-Harzgerode Railway Company. It was built to support mining and timber operations, and later developed into a transport link for tourists exploring the mountain region.

The railway shows how industry shaped this region through its preserved steam locomotives and historic stations that remain active today. Visitors can experience how railway operations once worked and understand the importance of trains to the Harz area's development.

The railway can be accessed from several stations including Quedlinburg, Alexisbad, and Hasselfelde with regular scheduled departures during the season. Travel is straightforward since stations are easy to reach and the journey through the valley is part of the experience.

Stiege Station features one of the smallest terminal loops in public railway operations, allowing trains to reverse direction without requiring the locomotive to move separately. This technical feature is a remnant of original planning to make locomotive operations economical in the narrow valley.