Hiking in the Harz low mountain range

The Harz low mountain range 

The Harz, called Hart ('mountain forest') until the Middle Ages, is the low mountain range in Germany and therefore the highest mountain range in Northern Germany. It is located exactly at the intersection of Saxony-Anhalt, Lower Saxony and Thuringia. In the west Goslar and Göttingen, in the east and north Harz and Mansfeld South Harz and in the south Nordhausen have parts of the low mountain range. 

The Harz low mountain range region has a profound historical significance for Germany. With its geographical diversity, it has always played an important role in every age and century.The Harz is characterized by species-rich flora and fauna, overflowing with extensive forests, agricultural plateaus, deep valleys and with its wild rivers, waterfalls, ponds and reservoirs.

Here in the Harz and the surrounding area there are numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Quedlinburg, Goslar, Rammelsberg, Lutherstadt Eisleben and the Oberharzer Wasserregal. 

The mountain range is 110km long. and a width of 30 to 40km. It covers the area of ​​2.226km² and extends from Lutherstadt Eisleben (east) to Seesen (west). The largest part of the Harz lies in Saxony-Anhalt, the western part in Lower Saxony and the smallest part in the southern area lies in Thuringia. 

The Brocken, with its 1141.2m. height, it is the highest elevation in the entire Harz low mountain range. In Saxony-Anhalt is the Wurmberg at 971.2m. Height, the highest and at 635.5m. Height is the Großer Ehrenberg, the highest in the Harz part of Lower Saxony and Thuringia.

In the Harz there is a national park and three independent nature parks.

Hiking in the Harz 

The Harz Mountains are one of the most popular hiking regions in Germany.As the central low mountain range, it has a favorable location and quick accessibility. Whether you visit it on a leisurely walk at the weekend or on a sporty hike along the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg; You can enjoy the Harz as a holiday destination in every sense and hike through it to your heart's content. We're not actually talking about a specific season here. Depending on your wishes, you can hike all year round, although spring and autumn are particularly popular.

The well-signposted network of paths with a distance of over 8000km. make this area a popular hiking paradise. You are sure to find a suitable group in the Harz, including accommodation and food if necessary.

The 10 best hiking routes in the Harz, recommended by us:  

1-In Goethe's footsteps to the Brocken 

The poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe probably climbed the summit from Torfhaus. The route, which is approximately eight kilometers long, is also suitable for beginners and takes around three hours to reach the Brocken Plateau.The Goetheweg is one of the shortest hiking trails to the summit - and therefore particularly popular with holidaymakers. At the same time, it is part of the Hexenstieg long-distance hiking trail, which crosses the Harz from west to east in a total of five stages.

Already at the starting point in the Altenau district of Torfhaus you are at an altitude of around 800 meters. From there until the 1st.The 141 meter high Brocken plateau still has around 350 meters of altitude to overcome. If the weather is good, the destination is already in sight from the start. The route is eight kilometers long in total. 

The hiking trail begins in Torfhaus. The ideal starting point is the visitor center. The starting point is the national park visitor center in Torfhaus. Guests can expect an interactive exhibition that provides insights into the rich flora and fauna of the Brocken region.

Part of the path runs next to the tracks of the Brockenbahn. From Torfhaus the path first leads along the edge of the Great Torfhaus Moor and then to Quiitschenberg. It is named after the squeak, an old name for rowan trees. From the Quitschenberg we continue to the source of the Ecker river, the Eckersprung. At this point the path crosses the former inner-German border. The actual climb to the Brocken begins behind it. The path is mostly lined with spruce trees and in parts runs parallel to the tracks of the Brocken Railway.

The Brocken summit can be seen from a distance when the weather is good. After about three hours the goal is reached. Once at the top, hikers can view an exhibition on the nature and history of the Brocken and the division of Germany in the Brockenhaus (negative test or proof of vaccination required) and fortify themselves at the well-known “Brockenwirt”. If you like, you can also pay a visit to the Brockengarten before you head down. Alternatively, you can take the Brockenbahn back to the valley. However, the stations are all in the eastern part of the Harz.

2-The Liebsbankweg in the Harz 

First we walk uphill through the forest in the direction of Bocksberg, where walkers cross on the road and at the cable car to the top of the mountain. Now we walk downhill in the forest to the Auerhahn clearing along federal highway 241.  

Here we also come to the six-tiered capercaillie cascade, part of which belongs to the Upper Harz Water Shelf World Heritage Site. Six ponds are connected here and have been providing water since the 17th century.century for hydropower in the mines and in the area. The educational trail explains this complex system to us with display boards and shows us a picture from those times.On the Liebesbankweg we now follow the nature trail, which mostly takes us slightly downhill along the lakes. The hike now follows the historic dams to the district of Hahnenkleer Bockswiese.

We come to the wooden stave church and can make another stop here. This church is a good 100 years old. Old and has been extensively renovated. We walk in the opposite direction on the signposted Liebesbankweg, where the starting point is the car park in the Auerhahn district, the car park at the cable car in Hahnenklee or the Lower Flößeich in Bockswiese.

In addition to this Love Bank Trail, the Hahnenklee also has many other hiking trails at your disposal. The cable car takes us to the summit and then we first walk downhill, then on the 1.3km. long summer toboggan run on rails, with the three-wheeled kart with its thick tires or by bike on the seven mountain bike trails.

3-Harzer-Hexen-Stieg from Buntenbock to Torfhaus  

The "Oberharzer Wasserwirtschaft", which consists of more than 90 ponds and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located on approx.100 km. long route with moats and many historical buildings.

Arriving behind Altenau, we are still in the mining catchment area and are now heading into the Harz National Park. Only when we arrive at “Drei Annen Hohne” will we leave him. There is a witch symbol on the wooden sign trees that shows us the way from now on. In the dense spruce forest we pass giant fallen trees. Nature can only be nature here again and the forest can remain untidy. Follow the dam ditch to the beginning and a little steeper to the Torfhaus, the destination of the stage. 

4-Harzer Baudensteig – From Lehrbach to Sieber  

The route starts in Lerbach at the Hotel Sauerbrey. Briefly follow the thoroughfare uphill, then turn right in the “Mühlental” up to the open-air museum. Continue straight uphill on the meadow path. In the forest we go right, past the sheepfold, then left. Now we hike together with the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg a bit uphill and then on the wide forest path to Königsecke. We walk along the Rote Sole to Eselsplatz and then downhill in the direction of the Sösestausee. We briefly follow the B498 and then turn right to the parking lot at the dam.

We enjoy strolling over the dam wall, which leads us on with its wonderful view of the reservoir. Then past the secondary barrier, we turn right and turn left again to the upcoming forest road. Here we follow approx.300m., left the Apenketal, then we turn right again. Now we always follow the forest path uphill until we reach the Schindelkopf Köte, then we continue to the “Stern” intersection. Here we follow the “Wet Path” on the right. At the border we continue to the Harz National Park in the Linke to the “Ackerfastweg”. We continue hiking through the upcoming raised moor region, accompanied by fabulous views, and arrive at the Hanskühnenburg. After climbing the tower here, a rest is well deserved. We then go down the tarred road to the right, past a spring, to a crossroads. We leave at 13.5km. the asphalt path and follow the gravel path to the left.  

Through tall coniferous trees we keep left at the next crossroads and go downhill in wide curves along the “Andreaweg” through the beech forest. We stay on the wide path above the Sieber, then turn left downhill to the main street in town. This is the regular end point of this hike. Whether you go to the outdoor pool, the town center or spend the night here is up to you.

5-Zur Bergsteinalm 

First we go from Goslar through the Harz forest and come to the dam on its eastern side. We walk back through the forest and can stop for a break at the Goslar. Goslar is an imperial city in the Harz Mountains that is almost 1000 years old and, along with its old town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The start and finish of the route is the parking lot on Astfelder Straße, near Goslar train station. Here we cross Von-Garßen-Straße and walk through the rows of houses between Reinkamp and Dr.-Wachler-Weg. Afterwards we go into nature and walk around the Nordberg in an arc. On our right side is the Herzog Juliushütte and we come along the hut pond along the dam wall. Of the two water arms that appear here, we follow the east bank of the Grane. To the south we come to the Schlüsseltal path, turn left. Here you can take a detour and look at the entrance to the Bear Cave. 

Soon we will walk along the Trüllketal, which forms some small ponds here and along which we come back to the city. This path now takes us along the streets Steinbergstrasse, Claustorwall, Kettenstrasse, Bäringerstrasse, Beekstrasse and over Marktstrasse into the heart of Goslar.We walk through Fleischscharren on Fischmäkerstrasse, cross Bäckerstrasse to Rosentorstrasse and come left to St. Jakobi Church. Following through Rosentorstraße, we go to Klubgartenstraße and turn right into Asterfelder Straße and arrive at our destination. 

6-To the Oberharzer water shelf 

The route starts in the parking lot at the Pixhaier Mill in the south of Clausthal-Zellerfeld and north of Buntenbock. We will approx.Visit 10 ponds. First we cross the Flambacher Mühlengraben and reach the Schwarzenbacher Teich, a rehabilitation center nearby.

We walk over the dam and take a look at the Pixhaier Pond. After we have passed the organic farm, we turn right, walk through the forest and meadows and cross the Prinz Valais watercourse. Then we turn left to the street “An den Lange Brücken” and look at the Nassenwieser pond on the other side. We will pass the Innerstesprung and the duck swamp in front of it later.

On the pond hike we cross the Harzhochstrasse and reach the Hirschler Pond, where we walk over the dam again.After the Hirschler Pond, the other ponds are lined up in the direction of Clausthal-Zellerfeld, namely the Upper, Middle and Lower Pfauenteich. Between the upper and middle we go to the dam and from there we go to the Jägersbleeker pond.

Following the watering ditch, we walk in the direction of the Polsterberger Hubhaus and now find out how the high ponds got their water. Then we go over Polsterbergstrasse and come back to the B242, cross it and turn into Huttalweg. Here is the dam of the Huttaler Graben, which we cross here.

We now reach the trio of ponds, which is filled by the innermost. The Bärenbrucher Pond, Swamp Pond and Ziegenberger Pond make up the trio. We soon arrive at the starting point and finally enjoy the all-round view of the Upper Harz water shelf.

7-From Sieber to Bad Lauterberg  

The start of the 3. Stage begins in Sieber at the outdoor swimming pool. Then we go into Tiefenbeekstal and use the first option on the right, over the bridge. Here we go up to the Gatzemannstal, just straight ahead on all the wide forest paths. Then  when we almost reach the top, we turn left to the forest path that takes us to the Otto-Hermann-Hütte. We pass a Köte and walk steeply uphill again on Knollenstraße to the observation tower and the building.  

Now we go back a little on the same path and follow the path in the curve on the right. Now we go steeply downhill, cross the wide forest path and continue through the forest on the path opposite. At the clearing we walk briefly to the right, then along the slope to the left downhill, past the “Brockenblick” viewpoint until we come to the wide forest path. The path follows to the left to Hentschelköte, then straight ahead into the forest and in the direction of Bad Lauterberg, to the Luttertal and the Bismarck Tower. 

At the Bismarck Tower you should definitely climb the steps to the tower. The Oder reservoir, the Brocken or Bad Lauterberg, you can see everything. At the rest area opposite Hermann Löns we continue down to the edge of the forest and along the Lionsweg to the right and immediately left again. At the parking lot we hike uphill in the serpentines to the local mountain and the path takes us below the forest inn. Here we walk through the beech forest, taking a sharp left at the bell tower, until the stairs lead us into the city. On Schulstrasse we continue left to the church square and reach the guest's house or accommodation.

8-The Oberharzer Klippenweg 

Through Brockenstrasse we go right past the small spa park, left past the town hall and a monument to the opening of the border comes in front of us. We continue along the cemetery, through Hagenstrasse and to the left behind it we walk into Bahnhofstrasse. We are already in nature and arrive at the Schierke train station and the Brockenbahn.

After approx.70m. We climb up to Trudenstein, cross the railway parallel path, keep in a north-easterly direction and reach the Wormke stream at the Spinne intersection. Along the Glashüttenweg we come to the Trudenstein with its viewing opportunities.

From the Glashüttenweg we turn left and go to the Hohnekamm, which is approx.900m. is high. Arriving at the Hohneklippen, we reach the highest point and from here we mostly hike downhill again. After the border cliff we keep left twice and reach the Forstmeister-Sietz-Weg, turn right along the Glashüttenweg along the Wormke.

Across the Wormke we hike through the Jakobsbruch to the Ahrentsklint with the stamp point. We walk up iron ladders to the granite cliff and take a detour. Then we walk along the path and downhill along the roots. We then follow the signs to the flint cliff to the left and pass the area of ​​the Cool Spring. Our route ends here.

9-Brocken circular hike in the Harz 

The route starts in Torfhaus at approx.800m. Height, in the settlement of Lower Saxony, is the highest settlement and we go south from the large car park.Continuing on the way, we arrive at the Torfhausmoor, the large raised moor in the Harz National Park, and then turn left onto the Goetheweg. We follow this path for a good part of the hike. Here we cross the Abbegraben and reach the foot of the Quiitschenberg, which is on our left. On our right side is the Brockenfeld and shortly afterwards on our left the run from Ecker begins.

We can take a break at the Eckersprung refuge. We then continue left on the Goetheweg, which is also known as the “Grenzweg am Bodesprung”. This way we reach the top of the Brocken via the Brockenstrasse.On the Brocken we are met by the Brockenbahn, the gastronomy, the Brockenhaus with the exhibition on the three floors in the building.

We turn left to the Eckerlochstieg, which takes us to the Eckerloch with the refuge at the “Schwarzes Schluftwasser” stream. We cross this and follow it until it flows into the Kalte Bode. We then come across a Brockenstrasse again, which we soon leave so that we turn onto “Oberer Königsberger Weg” and then continue in a northwesterly direction. Here we cross the Kalte Bode again and come to Sandbringstrasse. The Brockenweg is located on the northern side of the “Triangular Pfahl” refuge, which we already used on the way there. Now we turn into Ulmer Weg and follow the next junction in a westerly direction, where the sand path follows and leads us to the B4. Then we come back to Torfhaus. 

10-The Hanskühnenburg 

We start our tour in the parking lot of the bleaching station. The path now takes us over the black bridge past the fishing educational trail, in the direction of Riefensbeek, to the reservoir. This route totals approx.9km. At the preliminary barrier we go directly to Hanskühnenburg and take the return route, which takes us past Auerhahnplatz. We continue straight ahead to the Ackerblick through the “Große Herrenthal” to Riefensbeek. Here we walk along the engagement path along the pre-dam basin to the pre-dam and then back to Osterode.

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