Selkefall, Artificial waterfall in Harzgerode, Germany

Selkefall is an artificial waterfall in Harzgerode where water drops over a series of stone steps and creates a sequence of smaller cascades through the forest. The flow moves across natural rock formations, producing a series of pools and small rapids that visitors encounter along their hiking route.

The waterfall was created between 1828 and 1830 as a byproduct of construction work for the Carlsteich reservoir, which provided water to the Mägdesprung ironworks. What began as a utilitarian engineering project eventually became recognized as a scenic attraction for visitors to the area.

The waterfall is a stop on the Selke Valley narrow-gauge railway line and the B185 road near Alexisbad. Its cascade was built as part of the Carlsteich reservoir works for the Mägdesprung ironworks, and the former weir that regulated the flow was destroyed by a flood on 5 July 1955. The site lies in the Upper Selke Valley nature reserve.

The location can be reached via marked hiking trails from Alexisbad or by parking near federal road B185 for convenient access. The walk to the waterfall is straightforward and requires no special equipment or climbing skills.

The cascade is not natural: the Selke was dammed and diverted into a channel cut into the rock during construction of the Carlsteich between 1828 and 1830. A weir once regulated the flow; it was destroyed by a flood on 5 July 1955, and the Striegel survives as a small tunnel.