Self-guided walking holidays in the Harz Mountains

In the footsteps of witches through the mystic Harz Mountains!

Smack-bang in the middle of Germany one can find one of the most famous hiking regions of Germany: the Harz Mountains. The Harz National Park stretches over 10 percent of the total area of the Harz Mountains and encircles the 1,141 meter high Brocken, the highest mountain in northern Germany. Across the states of Lower Saxony and Saxony Anhalt a primeval forest has emerged again.

The magic of the Harz National Park lies hidden in the "Green heart of Germany" for you to discover. Rugged granite cliffs, mountain pines, misty moors and deep valleys with babbling brooks are some of the characteristics of the Harz Mountains. Hiking and mountain bike trails wind through dense forests and lead to high mountain peaks. Rivers and lakes provide ideal places to cool down on hot summer days. 

Further information about the Harz Witches' Trail

One of the most famous hiking trails in the Harz Mountains is the Harz Witches' Trail (Harzer Hexen Stieg), which winds 100 kilometres (approx. 60 miles) on old trade trails through the upper Harz region. The Harz Witches' Trail is generally well signposted with a white symbol of a witch, painted on painted on tree trunks or indicated on signs. For the third time, the Harz Witches Trail has received the certificate "quality trail" by the German Hiking Association in 2014.

The Harz Witches Trail leads you from West to East, crossing the entire Harz Mountains. It starts in the medieval half-timbered town of Osterode, which lies between the barrier lake "Sösestausee", the mountain formation "Südharzer Karstgebirge" and the sunny valley "Lerbachtal" in the southern part of the Harz. Along the way, it furthermore passes the former mining region of the area and numerous ponds and ditches that belong to the so-called "Oberharzer Wasserregal". Moreover, the Harz Witches Trail leads hikers through upland moor, the preserved region of the Harz Mountains and even up to the highest mountain peak of the area – the "Brocken Mountain". Finally, the hiking trail finds it end in Thale, a town in Saxony-Anhalt, which is famous for its fairy ring and lovely Bodetal.

Famous cities of the Harz Mountains

• Wernigerode can be the starting point of your walking holidays through the Harz Mountains. The often called "Bunte Stadt am Harz", which means "the colourful town in the Harz foothills", lies in the northern part of the Harz Mountains. Get to know the very special charms of this beautiful city: In an unparalleled fascination and variety, splendid timber-framed houses dating back to the 15th century compete for the observer's attention.
• In Quedlinburg you will achieve the end of your walking holidays through the Harz Mountains. The 1,000-year-old town lies at the north-eastern edge of the Harz Mountains and presents a lively mix of past and future eras. The buildings of Romanesque, 1,300 half-timbered houses and villas of the early days of Art Nouveau, tell the history and culture of bygone eras. To contrast this architecture is a young and fascinating unique ambience; of the art scene.

More information about our walking holidays

Since 2007 we have been offering walking holidays as self-guided tours in English language and thereby have gained a lot of experience with foreign travellers. If you are interested in booking a hiking tour in the Harz Mountains we would be glad to become your travel partner! All you need to worry about are arrival, departure and a good pair of hiking boots – the entire rest you can leave up to us!

We will organise the reservation of your hotels, the transport of your luggage and if necessary lunch packages, transfers or further services. If you want to know more about our walking holidays in general or get more details information about our hiking tours in the Harz Mountains, please feel free to contact us!