Germany · Long-distance path

Harzer Hexen-Stieg

A long-distance path in Germany: 94 km (58 mi) with 2,633 m of ascent, about 5 days on foot.

Distance: 94 km (58 mi)
Ascent: 2,633 m
Days: 5
High point: 1,032 m

The line is OpenStreetMap's mapping of the route (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), via Waymarked Trails, with heights from a 30 m terrain model. Check the current official route before a long trip: diversions and permitted paths change. See the source.

Move along the height chart to see each point on the map.

The trail

The Harzer Hexen-Stieg crosses the Harz from Osterode am Harz to Thale in five stages: Bärenbrucher Teich, Torfhaus, Drei Annen Hohne and Altenbrak, by the Brocken and down the Bode valley. Its own site gives 97 km (the fourth stage has a north and a south variant); the line here, from OpenStreetMap, takes the north variant and measures 94 km.

Stages

A suggested split into 5 days of about 18.7 km (11.6 mi). Each day ends at the town or village on the way nearest to an equal share of the distance, or at a hotel or hostel where there is none. These are not the official stages: check where you can stay before you book.

Day 1 Osterode am Harz to Bärenbrucher Teich 11.0 km · 11.0 km from the start
Day 2 Bärenbrucher Teich to Torfhaus 22 km · 33 km from the start
Day 3 Torfhaus to Drei Annen Hohne 17.5 km · 51 km from the start
Day 4 Drei Annen Hohne to Altenbrak 29 km · 80 km from the start
Day 5 Altenbrak to Thale 14.0 km · 94 km from the start

Summits on the way

Schachtkopf 626 m · 29 km from the start
Lerchenköpfe 821 m · 33 km from the start
Quitschenberg 882 m · 37 km from the start
Obere Hirschhörner 1,023 m · 38 km from the start
Untere Hirschhörner 883 m · 38 km from the start
Brockenkinder 933 m · 43 km from the start
Erdbeerkopf 848 m · 46 km from the start
Rabensteine 499 m · 54 km from the start
Bockberg 496 m · 55 km from the start
Katzenberg 476 m · 56 km from the start

The listed hills and the highest of 25 tops within 300 m of the line. The app shows them all. Summits from OpenStreetMap.

Start and finish

Start: near Osterode am Harz, Landkreis Göttingen. 51.72833, 10.26013

Finish: near Thale, Landkreis Harz. 51.74557, 11.03111

Directions to the start

Google Maps Apple Maps

To the finish: Google Maps · Apple Maps

Places to stay

Rooms in the towns and villages along the way:

Osterode am Harz, Landkreis Göttingen · The start Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Bärenbrucher Teich, Landkreis Goslar · After day 1 Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Torfhaus, Landkreis Goslar · After day 2 Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Drei Annen Hohne, Landkreis Harz · After day 3 Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Altenbrak, Landkreis Harz · After day 4 Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Thale, Landkreis Harz · The finish Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →

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Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line comes from the source named under the map and the heights from a terrain model, so treat the figures as a guide. Check for diversions before you go, take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.