Harzer-Hexen-Stieg

From the medieval town of Osterode, you will start walking uphill and pass by the old mining village of Lerbach. Marienblick is going to offer you a wonderful view of the Lerbach Valley before you continue hiking toward Buntenbock.

The next day you are going to hike past numerous ponds of the “Upper Harz Water Management.” These are remnants from mining times and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Narrow paths will guide you past the mountain town of Altenau, where you are going to enter Harz National Park and continue to Torfhaus.

The next stage takes you up Brocken, which stands at 1141 meters (3743 ft), making it the highest peak in the Harz as well as in northern Germany. After enjoying the view, you are going to descend to the Brockenchaussee. Dense forests and rustic rocks guide you past Schlungklippen, Ahrensklint, and Trudenstein to Drei Annen Hohne.

For those who find the route over the Brocken too demanding or already know it, there is an alternative: the Brocken bypass through the Oder Valley via St. Andreasberg and Braunlage to Königshütte. Although it is longer, it has fewer meters in altitude gain.

Between Königshütte and Altenbrak, you can choose between a north and a south variant.

The north variant takes you from Königshütte up to Königsburg Castle with a beautiful view over Harz National Park. Afterward, you will hike along the Bode River and pass the village of Bodfeld before you cross open-cast mines and the Tiefenbach Valley. From here, a trail will guide you towards Rübeland, with its famous stalactite caves and the still active open-cast mine which is worth a visit. Next, narrow forest paths take you to Rappode Dam, the largest drinking water dam in Germany, and then on to Altenbrak.

The south variant also takes you from Königshütte up to Königsburg Castle. Afterward, the  Bode River guides you past the Rappbode Reservoir towards the spa town of Hasselfelde, where the charcoal burners’ path begins. It leads you past the charcoal-burning museum Stemberghaus to Altenbrak.

The last stage is here to impress with the Bode Valley Gorge, where you hike along huge granite walls. The trail leads you over the Devil’s Bridge and up a steep and narrow path toward the legendary Rosstrappe. The route continues along the Bode River, where the Witch’s Dance Floor is worth a detour before you continue to the final destination Thale.

Hiking the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg is possible all year long. But the best time of the year to hike Harzer-Hexen-Stieg is from April to October when there is no snow. Most stages of the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg are suitable for hikes in winter. Except the stage between Treseburg and Thale in Bodegorge, which is closed in winter. During this time, there is an alternative route towards the Hexentanzplatz (“Witches’ dance floor“) signposted. Also in winter, the Harz Mountains turn into a popular destination for winter sports of all kinds.

But the most convenient times to hike the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg are in late spring (May to June) or early autumn (September to October), when the temperatures are mild. Due to fewer tourists than in summer (July to August), these seasons are perfect for those who want to avoid the crowds.

Before the hike, gather information about the route (length, altitude, difficulty, current conditions) and assess your skills realistically.

Plan your overnight stays and keep in mind that wild camping is prohibited. Please choose between lodging or campgrounds instead.

Adapt your equipment to the tour. Wear layers, choose suitable footwear, and be prepared for rain and shine. While in spring and autumn, it can be quite warm during the day, the mornings and evenings might get cold. Make sure to bring a jumper or fleece, also when you plan to hike up Brocken, where it is often windy and foggy due to its altitude. If you happen to hike between November and April be prepared to hike through snow.

Bring sufficient food for lunch and snacks during the day as well as drinking water. Also, remember to bring a first-aid kit. A map or GPS will help you find your way. If you walk by yourself, share your plans with somebody else for your safety.

Before you start to hike, check the local weather forecast, as rain, wind, and cold increase the risk of accidents.

During the hike avoid taking shortcuts and stay on marked trails.

Different variants of the route allow you to adapt it to your individual fitness and ability. In combination with well-developed paths, it has been rated as moderate.