Harz Witches Trail incl. Brocken ascent

Itinerary

• Day 1: Individual arrival in Osterode
  Surrounded by the well maintained city walls, the historic center of Osterode offers a beautiful setting for a leisurely stay with coffee and cake. In the old town of Osterode you find the historic market square, many half-timbered houses, churches and a pedestrianized area.
  Overnight stay in Osterode
• Day 2: Osterode – Clausthal-Zellerfeld (approx. 15 km, walking time: approx. 4,5 hrs, + 485 m, - 143 m)
  Today, you start your hike uphill along the Harz Witches Trail following old trade routes, where you can see the first parts of the "Oberharzer Wasserregal". This water system, which has been established in the 16th century, serves to detour and store water. After you reach the university city of Clausthal-Zellerfeld and you can visit Germany’s largest church, the Marktkirche zum Heiligen Geist.
  Overnight stay in Clausthal-Zellerfeld
• Day 3: Clausthal-Zellerfeld – Altenau (approx. 15 km, walking time: approx. 4 hrs, + 180 m, - 228 m)
  Leaving Clausthal-Zellerfeld, a town in the mountains, you mainly walk along forest paths and narrow trails without descending or ascending significantly and follow the fascinating dyke ditch of this region. Passing the chaly beate spring the Harz Witches Trail will then reach the city of Altenau with its herb park.
  Overnight stay in Altenau
• Day 4: Altenau – Brocken (approx. 19 km, walking time: approx. 6 hrs, + 664 m, - 61 m)
  Today, as the highlight of your walking holidays, you will climb up to Harz’ highest mountain taking the Goethe Trail. The trail, which is named after the German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (who – by the way – undertook many trips to this region), leads you through the upland moor and up the mountain peak of the Brocken Mountain, which is located in the center of the Harz National Park. If the weather is on your side, the magnificent view of the Harz Mountains will compensate for the challenging ascent. After enjoying some refreshment on the plateau, you will then start the more comfortable part of the day. The Harz narrow-gauge railway with its steam engine brings you down numerous curves until you reach the train station of Schierke or Wernigerode.
  Overnight stay in Schierke or Wernigerode
  
  Bookable ExperiencePACKAGE:
  Make it even more eventful!
  Ride on the Harz narrow-gauge railway
• Day 5: Schierke/Wernigerode – area Rübeland (approx. 21 km, walking time: approx. 6 hrs, + 269 m, - 493 m)
  On the 5th day of your walking holidays along the Harz Witches Trail, you pass the "Trudenstein" mountain, which has a beautiful distant view in store for you. You then hike downhill to reach the waterfall in Königshütte. Afterwards, you follow the Bode river where you can recognize the landscape changes because of the limestone quarries that are still used today. Hiking through Tiefenbachtal you can enjoy a fantastic view on your milestone Rübeland with its worth seeing stalactite caves from the viewpoint Hoher Kleef.
  Overnight stay in area Rübeland
• Day 6: Area Rübeland – Treseburg (approx. 19 km, walking time: approx. 5.5 hrs, +236 m, - 377 m)
  In today’s section of the Harz Witches Trail you wander along idyllic forest – and meadow paths through the area of "old mining" with its numerous geological features. You walk along the Bode river following small, wide and high paths. Passing the dam in Wendefurth, you reach the town of Treseburg.
  Overnight stay in Treseburg
• Day 7: Treseburg – Thale (approx. 9 km, walking time: approx. 3 hrs, + 98 m, -185 m) and eventually train ride to Quedlinburg
  During the last day of your walking holidays, you hike through the Bodetal, which steeped in legends. High granite rocks line along the small path at the river. Your today’s destination is Thale. For a nice ending of your tour, we recommend you visit either the fairy ring or the granite rock "Rosstrappe2. From your hiking destination Thale you reach Quedlinburg within very short time via train or bus. There, you can alternatively stay overnight.
  Overnight stay in Thale or Quedlinburg
• Day 8: Individual departure
  Take your time to review your memories of the journey along the Harz Witches Trail before departure. You have the possibility to prolong your walking holidays with some additional nights, e.g. in Quedlinburg or other towns along the Harz Witches Trail from Osterode to Thale. We will gladly book further overnight stays for you so please do not hesitate to ask us!