Winter sports in the Harz

Skiing in the Harz: sunny slopes, witches' ride, Wurmberg runs and a stop at the toboggan house - the local mountain Braunlage offers good skiing conditions. The ski area is ideally prepared for winter sports enthusiasts, young and old, beginners and experts.

Skiing in the Harz, the highest ski area in northern Germany.

Why should you go to the Alps when you have already been invited from Wurmberg to ski in the Harz. Although the altitude does not exceed 971 meters, the area around the local mountain Braunlage can be considered the highest alpine ski area in northern Germany. Motorways and federal highways attract winter sports enthusiasts from all over the world to the Upper Harz, so Hamburg residents can easily plan a day on the slopes.

Surfing on the slopes

On the nice winter weekends, the gondola and the six lifts in the winter sports resort can be full. Then the skiers, whether young or old, beginners or experts, line up. Everyone wants to get on two narrow boards, a snowboard or a sled and ride. Luckily the lifts open every hour.Carrying 500 skiers to the summit. Once at the top, skiers have the choice between easy and difficult slopes and the option of skiing back to Schierke via the Brocken or Braunlage.

Witch ride on skis

The famous witches' ride begins right below the cable car station - be careful of the trees! The slope is forested and the slope leads over a natural passage. It is more difficult on the left side of the slightly younger Hexenritt piste, the only black piste in the area. It is not excluded that witches sometimes mistake their broomsticks for skis and fly down the steep moguls. Ambitious skiers will enjoy the descent. The modern Hexen Express cable car, which has replaced the old Kaffeehorst chair lift, brings winter sports enthusiasts back to the mountain and they can start a new descent.

Skiing for experts and beginners

Even less experienced skiers will get their money's worth, as the mountain has prepared slopes for all levels of difficulty. The long lower slope, for example, is suitable for the whole family and can also be skied by beginners. In winter the sun shines in the ski area for an average of 35 days, which makes skiing on sunny slopes particularly attractive. Under the bright blue winter sky you can carve wonderfully on the sunny slopes, and there is also a freestyle piste. When the weather is nice, the slopes on the north side offer a fantastic view of the Brocken opposite.

Wurmberg: a mountain full of offers

In winter the Harz is relatively often covered in snow, but you need 30 centimeters of snow to be able to ski. But it doesn't have to snow in Lower Saxony's highest ski area - a few cold days and nights are enough for skiing, tobogganing and snow tubing. The mountain is equipped with a snow-making system and the necessary water comes from a specially created storage pond on the mountain plateau.

Skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing make you hungry. Of course, the operators of the ski area have thought about the culinary comfort of winter sports enthusiasts and have taken the necessary precautions. Several restaurants and a bar with parasols invite you to relax. For example, there is a toboggan run right at the middle station of the Wurmbergbahn and you can start your day of skiing with a good cup of coffee at the Hexenrittalm car park.

The waiting times at Wurmberg train station can be very long on weekends. If there is enough snow, we recommend the Sonnenberg. The ski pass prices are cheaper and the waiting times are significantly shorter. As an alternative to the Harz slopes, there are good cross-country ski trails. The snowy landscape around the Wurmberg is also ideal for winter hikes with or without snowshoes.

Cross-country skiing - on skis in the Harz

Cross-country skiers can look forward to an extensive network of cross-country trails in the Harz. In total, around 500 kilometers of cross-country trails run through the Harz winter landscape, some of which also connect towns and cities. Over the course of more than 120 years of skiing history, an excellent infrastructure for cross-country skiing has developed in the Harz Mountains. Whether classic or skating, experienced or inexperienced - there is a cross-country ski trail for everyone in the Upper Harz. Cross-country skiing in the Harz is an experience for the whole family.

Skiing - cross-country skiing in and around Clausthal-Zellerfeld

The traditional history of skiing in the Harz began in the mountain town of Clausthal-Zellerfeld around 1870. At that time, young Norwegians were studying at the mountaineering school in Clausthal. From their homeland they brought snow-covered means of transport that they called skis, which means split wood. On these boards they glided through the snow-covered Upper Harz, whose cultural landscape is characterized by majestic fir trees and the ponds and streams of the Upper Harz water shelves.

Today, skiers have access to around 35 kilometers of well-groomed slopes in and around the climatically healthy resort, provided the snow conditions are good. When the weather is nice in winter, the sunny cross-country ski trail on the outskirts of Zellerfeld is particularly attractive, where the sun shines down into the valley. From Clausthal, an easily accessible cross-country ski trail leads to the tranquil village of Buntenbock, where additional trails for Nordic skating and cross-country skiing have been created. From Hausherzberger Teich, cross-country skiers can also reach Altenau via a disused railway line. This trail is certified as a quality trail.

Cross-country skiing in the Harz: mountain meadows and snowy valleys.

Altenau also offers excellent conditions for cross-country skiing, as the cross-country ski trail through the Rosewiese with panoramic views of the Große Oker valley proves. The DSV trail connects the Altenau trails with the trail network of the Harz National Park. St., a few kilometers south, is probably the snowiest cross-country skiing area in Lower Saxony. Andreasberg (St. Andreas Berg). The trails lead through dense forests and across snow-covered mountain meadows up to altitudes of 900 meters. On the way, cross-country skiers enjoy fantastic views of the national park and nature park landscape. The cross-country ski trail network has a varied landscape and offers challenging day tours for ambitious runners.

Cross-country skiing in Braunlage - the winter sports center of the Harz

As a winter sports center in the Harz, Braunlage is also suitable for cross-country skiers. The first skier in this climatic health resort was probably Arthur Ulrichs from Oberforster. He had heard about snowshoes and ordered one in the winter of 1883/84 to explore the inaccessible forest. Apparently he liked this type of winter transportation so much that he dedicated himself to spreading the word about skiing. The first local snowshoe club was founded in 1892. A few years later, the Oberharzer Ski Club (OHSK) was founded in Brockenhaus, which soon became an institution in German skiing.

Cross-country skiing in the Harz has a long tradition. The region around Braunlage has become a paradise for cross-country skiers on the St. Andreasberg, the first ski race in 1897 and an application for the Olympic Games in 1936. The well-signposted cross-country ski trail network extends to Hohegeiß, Torfhaus and Schierke and offers connections to the South Harz cross-country ski trail network. Experienced skiers with good fitness can also climb the Brocken if the climb is long enough. The connecting trail to the Schierker trail network begins at the summit of the Wurmberg.

When the snow covers bizarre landscapes, coniferous branches bend and eroded rocks turn into fantastic formations, a stay in the Harz Mountains is particularly attractive. Cross-country skiing on the various trails is an excellent way to admire all this splendor.

The Sonnenloipe in Braunlage is ideal for cross-country skiing beginners. In addition to lots of sun and beautiful views of the surrounding landscape, the cross-country ski trail offers ideal conditions for beginners and can be a starting point for further hikes on the extensive cross-country ski trail network.

Snowshoeing in the Harz: from Schierke to the Steinerne Renne

If you want to hike in the Harz in winter, you will find interesting rocky terrain between the Brocken and Wernigerode. Snowshoeing in the Harz is an unforgettable experience. This winter hike leads from Schierke train station to Steinerne Renne train station and back by narrow-gauge railway. The varied hike leads along forest paths and many narrow paths, which can be slippery in places. It is therefore advisable to put nails in your hiking boots. You can also use snowshoes on some sections if snow conditions permit. The route is a little risky and difficult. The route is a bit risky and difficult as it has a height difference of several meters and the rocky terrain, especially on the rocks, requires strength in the legs.

From Schierker Feuerstein to Ahrensklint

We first hike to Ahrensklint, past Flint. A well-designed sign at the Schierker train station shows the way, and the impressive flint rock can be seen a few steps north of the tracks. A little further the forest path forks, the hikers turn left and soon reach the Pfarrstieg, which leads you through the forest to Ahrensklint. Iron stairs and granite blocks with ramps allow climbing. The viewing point on the cliff is at an altitude of 822 m and offers a fantastic view of the Brocken and Wernigerode.

Snowshoeing in the Harz - Hohnekammklippen

The next intermediate destination is the ledge cliffs. The path continues on Pfarrstieg, turns right onto Glashüttenweg and leads to Schierker Spinne, where it crosses the Wormkebach. Now we continue on the Moorstieg, which initially climbs steeply before crossing the raised moor and leading back through a forest area. The Leistenklippe, the highest rock formation on the Hohnekamm, can soon be seen. Here too, steps and railings make the climb relatively safe, but strenuous, but rewarded with a wonderful view of the Eastern Harz.

From Ottofelsen to Steinerne Renne

We continue to Ottofelsen, which can be reached via narrow paths such as the Beerenstieg and the Dreikäseklippenweg. Immediately after the Karlshaus, the Hohnsteiner cliffs appear in the landscape. Not far away, the Ottofelsen rises from the ground. It also serves as a viewing point. As with the previous cliffs, iron stairs and ramps lead up to the wool-covered granite rocks. From here, the comfortable Hippelhangweg leads towards the Holtemme Valley through the famous Steinerne Renne gorge to the inn of the same name. A bridge over the stream leads directly under the imposing building. On the other side, the fast-flowing Holtemme waterfall attracts the attention of passers-by. It is only a short walk to Steinerne Renne train station, from where the train to Schierke leaves.