SS Guard Path - Buchenwald Memorial

SS Guard Path

The guard path ran along the exterior of the camp fence. It was a paved road, accessible for vehicles, where the SS patrolled in pairs. Running a length of three kilometres, it encircles the former prison camp. Walking this path gives a sense of the dimension of the camp—its extensive complex and the views between the concentration camp and nearby villages.

A path leading along the remains of the camp fence. On the left side a watchtower. In front of it there is a sign stating that the path is the post path. — 1/3

Path on the west side of the camp, 2022. Photo: Lukas Severin Damm, ©Gedenkstätte Buchenwald

View from an elevated position of a long, straight section of the post road and remains of the camp fence. High and dense trees on both sides. — 2/3

Aerial view of the Postenweg, 2014. Photo: Claus Bach. Buchenwald Memorial
©Buchenwald Memorial

Remains of the camp fence and a watchtower. Visitors walk along a path between them. — 3/3

Post path with watchtower, 2012. Photo: Claus Bach. ©Buchenwald Memorial

In past decades, a large part of the camp fence was overgrown and not easily accessible. Since 2000, the Buchenwald Memorial, with the help of the non-profit Christliches Jugenddorfwerk Deutschland (CJD), has systematically worked to keep the guard path free of growth and preserve any structural remnants. Young people volunteering with various international summer camp programmes have helped identify and secure the locations of the guard towers, of which usually only the foundations remain.

The route around the camp takes about an hour and begins at the camp gate. Following the numbering of the historical guard towers, it heads to the left to the western tower (guard tower no. 2). A former tarmacked portion of the road leads downhill to the most northern point of the camp. Here, the complex borders on fields and meadows. One can see nearby villages and look far into the distance at the northern foothills of Ettersberg Mountain. Passing by the forest cemetery of the Soviet special camp, the road goes uphill again to the visible ruins of several guard towers, crosses the "Time Line" path, and ends at the camp gate.