October 7, 2024, 9:17 am | Read time: 9 minutes

The Harz Mountains are one of the most beautiful low mountain ranges in Germany. There are countless hiking opportunities for every fitness level. If you want to experience how diverse and varied the nature and landscapes here really are, you should plan several days for a tour. TRAVELBOOK author Robin Hartmann was on the road for you.

Nestled in Eastern Germany, straddling Lower Saxony, Thuringia, and Saxony-Anhalt, the Harz Mountains are a mosaic of the most breathtaking and occasionally dramatic natural landscapes from these three federal states. Suitable for all fitness levels, you will find countless beautiful routes here. However, the best way to experience how versatile and varied the region really is, is on a tour lasting several days. The mere act of packing your hiking backpack and shouldering essentials like a tent, sleeping mat, and sleeping bag ushers in a sense of solitude, untamed wilderness, and adventure. Despite its growing popularity since the pandemic, the Harz Mountains still offer these untouched experiences of solitude and adventure.

Hike in the Harz to the Bode Valley

A possible circular hiking tour begins in the old town of Blankenburg with its magnificent castle. From the train station, a path leads to the so-called Devil’s Wall, a truly bizarre rock formation that stretches over a distance of 30 kilometers to Ballenstedt. If you want to start your multi-day hike through the Harz Mountains with a bang, this is the place to do it. Even after a short, steep ascent, wonderful views open up, making the fields and villages below look like a Bemo model construction landscape. Surefootedness and a slow pace are paramount here, and many of the particularly narrow and tricky passages are secured with handrails.

You soon reach the mighty sandstone formation “Hamburger Wappen” via several paths, which offers the first opportunity for a rest with a great view. From here, you can follow the signs to Thale, the path is now well-maintained and flat across fields and meadows into the tourist heart of the Harz Mountains. The hiking route through the Bode Valley, undoubtedly the most spectacular gorge in the whole of East Germany, begins here. On the outskirts of Thale, its hundreds of meters-high cliffs rise dramatically, and cable cars take visitors to the Rosstrappe and Hexentanzplatz viewpoints.

A place straight out of a fairy tale

Following the signs for the “Harzer Hexen-Stieg”, the trail now leads along the often raging Bode River, which has carved the valley into the rock over millions of years. You walk along narrow paths, sometimes at dizzying heights above the river, on what is undoubtedly the most frequented route in the entire Harz region. If you are very lucky, you may still spot mouflons here, a species of wild sheep whose climbing skills put even the most experienced mountaineers in the shade.

At the foothills of this spectacular section of the tour lies the small village of Treseburg, like something out of a fairy tale book. Hikers can enjoy refreshments here in numerous restaurants, such as the “Bodeblick“, and the “Pension Sternschnuppe“, a more modern establishment with excellent cuisine that recently opened. In addition to classic rooms, you can also spend the night in hammocks in the summer, with operator Jan and his aunt Martina welcoming every stranger like a friend. A small campsite is soon to be built on their property, right next to the very relaxed-flowing Bode, which is perhaps nowhere as beautiful as in Treseburg.

Stalactite caves and open-cast mining

Day two of the tour gets off to a very relaxed start with a short hike to the neighboring village of Altenbrak, which the poet Theodor Fontane immortalized in his works for its beauty. If you like to, you can treat yourself to a delicious meal at the local trout farm or catch some yourself. The trail continues along the Bode to the Wendefurth dam, where majestic views open up for the first time, which will characterize the tour from now on. Always walking alongside the water, you have to overcome numerous, often steep and long climbs and really work your way up. By the end of this day’s stage in the small village of Rübeland, even experienced Harz hikers are likely to be exhausted.

Rübeland is famous beyond the Harz Mountains for its two impressive stalactite caves, the Hermannshöhle and the Baumannshöhle. The latter is the oldest show cave in the whole of Germany, where, among other things, the skeleton of a prehistoric bear found here is on display. Directly behind the entrance building, a steep path leads up to the fields above Rübeland. Littered with countless species of wildflowers, it feels as if you are walking through an impressionist painting. However, the route also crosses several open-cast mines, which stand out like pockmarks in stark contrast to the otherwise lovely landscape.

Follow the stamp signs

Perhaps you have already noticed the numerous signposts with a stamp motif along the way? These indicate an attraction that is particularly worth seeing, which may be slightly off the main route. For example, the Büchenberg ore mine, which is an old mine that can be visited on guided tours. Otherwise, the route on this day leads along wide forest paths to Wernigerode, one of the medieval gems in the Harz Mountains. The half-timbered town is crowned by an impressive castle reminiscent of Hogwarts Castle from the Harry Potter movies. Hungry hikers have countless opportunities to feast here. The place is also ideal for an overnight stay.

On the fourth and final day of the tour, there is another tough stretch to conquer. Especially as there is so much to see along the way. First of all, after Benzigerode, you reach the wonderful Ziegenberg ridge, a nature reserve with great panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. From here, you can already see Blankenburg again, but a detour to the ruins of Burg Regenstein is definitely recommended. From the rocky plateau on which the fortress once stood, you can let your gaze wander endlessly over the green expanse of the landscape.

The best view when hiking in the Harz Mountains

The sandstone caves in the middle of the forest are another sight to see before heading back to Blankenburg station. Situated between mighty pine trees, you feel like you’ve landed on a beach. According to the official website of the town of Blankenburg, the ancient Germanic tribes are said to have used the sandstone caves as a meeting place. Afterward, you can enjoy a delicious pea soup or other hearty dishes in “Jogys Wald-Kneipe”.

If you prefer to take it easier and shorter, you can also start with a two-day tour. This is no less varied, and this time it starts in Thale. From there, it’s a steep climb up to the Rosstrappe in around an hour. This is probably the most impressive vantage point in the entire Harz Mountains. The view extends into the Bode Valley, as well as over the town of Thale and the vast countryside beyond. If you are able to detach yourself, follow the signs in the direction of Altenbrak and follow the wide forest paths to the hamlet of Todtenrode. The local hotel has its own small butcher’s shop, the quality of which is truly second to none. In Altenbrak there is the aforementioned opportunity to stop off at the trout farm, and from here the route continues to Treseburg, which has already been sung about.

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Plan realistically

The next day, the route leads directly behind the “Pension Sternschnuppe” up to a beautiful circular hike. This first leads steeply into the forest to the beautiful Falkenklippe viewpoint. From there, it is a short walk to the “Jagdschloss Windenhütte”, where a slightly overpriced but very tasty apple strudel is served. From there, it’s literally downhill to what is probably the most beautiful part of the route. It runs directly along the Luppbode stream on a path, often barely as wide as a man, back to Treseburg. Above the village there is another great viewpoint, the Wilhelmsblick.

If this article has inspired you to lace up your hiking boots, remember one crucial piece of advice. Keep in mind that this article isn’t a substitute for meticulous route planning. The first tour in particular leads along numerous differently marked routes, which is why maps are essential. You should also realistically assess your own fitness level in order to enjoy the routes. It is also good to know that each of the stages described can be done completely independently of the others. Whether you opt for a day tour or an extended trek in the enchanting Harz Mountains, it’s often the journey itself that’s the true destination.