JOURNEY OF THE YEAR: Harz Witches Trail incl. Brocken ascent

Detailed tour description

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.

Day 2: Osterode – Clausthal-Zellerfeld (approx. 16 km, walking time: approx. 4 hrs)
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. You then reach the university city of Clausthal-Zellerfeld and can visit Germany’s largest church, the Marktkirche zum Heiligen Geist.

Day 3: Clausthal-Zellerfeld – Altenau (approx. 17 km, walking time: approx. 5 hrs)
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.

Day 4: Altenau – Brocken - Schierke/Wernigerode (approx. 20 km, walking time: approx. 6 hrs)
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 (extra costs).

Day 5: Schierke/Wernigerode – Rübeland and surrounding area (approx. 22 km, walking time: approx. 6 hrs)
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.

Day 6: Rübeland and surrounding area – Altenbrak/Treseburg (approx. 15/20 km, walking time: approx. 4/5.5 hrs)
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 Altenbrak or Treseburg.

Day 7: Altenbrak/Treseburg – Thale (approx. 15/10 km, walking time: approx. 4.5/3 hrs)
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 "Rosstrappe". From your hiking destination Thale you reach Quedlinburg within very short time via train or bus. There, you can alternatively stay overnight (price on request).

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!

This walking trip is not recommendable for travellers with mobility impairments.

Services included

• 7x overnight stays in hotels and guesthouses with 3-star-standard
• 7x continental breakfast
• JOURNEY OF THE YEAR BONUS: 1 dinner for free
• Luggage transfer from accommodation to accommodation during your walking tours
• GPS data on request
• 1 package with maps and information material per room (in English language)
• telephone-service-hotline during your walking holidays

Bookable value-added services for these walking tours along the Harz Witches Trail

Please feel free to add the following value-added services to the basic travel package to personalize your walking holidays throughout the Harz Mountains: 

• Additional nights at every overnight location according to the tour description as well as in Quedlinburg
• Transfer services from Thale to Osterode (more about our transfer services)
• FlexPLUS: rebook or cancel up to 28 days before arrival without giving reasons (more about our FlexPLUS)

Prices of these value-added services are detailed under the tab "Quotes".

Further advice on this walking tour in the Harz Mountains

• Please note that in certain cities along the walking route from Osterode to Thale compulsory city, tourist or occupancy taxes are required to be paid. Unless otherwise indicated, these taxes are not included in our prices and have to be paid directly to the hotel.

This walking trip is not recommendable for travellers with mobility impairments.