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Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour

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Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour
From $875USDBook Now
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8 days from $875USD
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Bode Valley, Bodetal, Harz Mountains, Germany hiking Harz Witches's trail
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Embark on an 8-day hiking adventure across the entire length of the Witches Trail, one of the most famous hiking routes in Germany. The Complete Witches Trail Hiking Tour takes you on a journey of more than 100km over scenic footpaths through the lush valleys, rivers, and gorges of the Harz Mountains.

You'll summit Brocken Mountain, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains, and marvel at natural wonders like Könighshütter Waterfall and Bode Gorge. Following ancient trade routes connecting tiny medieval villages, each night you'll stay in quaint small towns tucked away from the outside world. Challenge yourself to see all of the beauty and history of the Witches Trail!

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Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour

Hike the Harz Witches Trail to the peak of Brocken Mountain
4.70
(69 reviews)
8 days from $875USD
Easy quote
Duration
8 days
Season
Apr-Oct
Activity
Walking
Type
Self-guided, Private
Accommodation
Hotels
Difficulty
Moderate (3/5)
From $875USD (see prices for this tour)
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National Geographic
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Bode Valley, Bodetal, Harz Mountains, Germany hiking Harz Witches's trail
Personalized Service
Let our experienced travel advisors plan your perfect adventure

Embark on an 8-day hiking adventure across the entire length of the Witches Trail, one of the most famous hiking routes in Germany. The Complete Witches Trail Hiking Tour takes you on a journey of more than 100km over scenic footpaths through the lush valleys, rivers, and gorges of the Harz Mountains.

You'll summit Brocken Mountain, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains, and marvel at natural wonders like Könighshütter Waterfall and Bode Gorge. Following ancient trade routes connecting tiny medieval villages, each night you'll stay in quaint small towns tucked away from the outside world. Challenge yourself to see all of the beauty and history of the Witches Trail!

rating
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
Trip highlights

Climb to the top of Brocken Mountain, the Harz Mountains' highest peak.

Pass the beautiful Könighshütter Waterfall, active limestone quarries, and caves.

Explore Germany's own Grand Canyon, the vast Bode Gorge.

See tiny villages unchanged from medieval times, plus Germany's largest church.

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Trip map

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Day by day itinerary
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Day 1
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Arrival in Osterode
After arriving in Osterode, be sure to explore the lovely sights of this historic walled city. In the old town area you can admire the market square, churches, and the beautifully-preserved classic timber-frame houses.
Distance None
Overnight Location Hotel in Osterode
Included Meals None
Day 2
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Osterode to Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Today you’ll head to the starting point of the Witches Trail and begin hiking. The uphill route takes you to Oberharzer Wasserregal, a waterworks system that dates back to the 16th century. End today's section at Clausthal-Zellerfeld, home to the impressive Marktkirche zum Heiligen Geist, which is Germany's largest church.
Distance 4.5 hours, 15 km, 511m of ascent, 163m of descent
Overnight Location Hotel in Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 3
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Clausthal-Zellerfeld to Altenau
Following the idyllic forest paths and narrow trails as you head towards Altenau, passing springs and dykes along the way. Once at Altenau you can visit Krauter Park, Germany's biggest herb garden.
Distance 4 hours, 15km, 303m of ascent, 361m of descent
Overnight Location Hotel in Altenau
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 4
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Climb to Brocken Mountain
Today the highlight of your hiking tour awaits you: the ascent of the Brocken in the heart of the transnational Harz National Park. You will climb the summit on well-maintained and varied trails. The descent to Schierke or Wernigerode is by the Harz narrowgauge railroad (self-pay).
Distance 6 hours, 19km, 658m of ascent, 38m of descent
Overnight Location Hotel in Schierke or Wernigerode
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 5
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Schierke to Rübeland
Climbing along Trundstein Mountain, today's hike takes you past the beautiful Königshütte waterfall and follows the Bode River with its active limestone quarries. Once in Rübeland, it's worth visiting the Baumann Cave, a limestone grotto with impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
Distance 6 hours, 22.5 km, 414m of ascent, 641m of descent
Overnight Location Hotel in Rübeland area
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 6
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Rübeland to Treseburg
Passing through mining areas and quarries, admire the natural stone features this path is known for. Walking along the Bode River, you'll pass the dam in Wendefurth and reach your overnight location in Treseburg. You may also stay in Altenbrak (depending on the availability).
Distance 4-5.5 hours, 15-20km, 485m of ascent, 639m of descent
Overnight Location Hotel in Treseburg or Altenbrak
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 7
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Bode Gorge to Thale
On the last day, you will hike through the Bode Valley, which is steeped in myth and legend. Between towering granite rocks, the narrow path always leads along the river. Your hike ends in the town of Thale, below the famous witches' dance site. You will spend the night in Thale or Quedlinburg. You can get to Quedlinburg by bus (incl. in HATIX), train (self-pay) or on foot (+16 km).
Distance 3-4.5 hours, 10-15km, 400m of ascent, 510m of descent
Overnight Location Hotel in Quedlinburg
Included Meals Breakfast
Day 8
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Departure
Congratulations on completing the entire Witches Trail! But if you're not ready for this adventure to end, we recommend adding on an additional night or two in nearby Quedlinburg, a UNESCO World Heritage City recognized for its beautifully-preserved architecture.
Distance None
Overnight Location None
Included Meals Breakfast

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Dates and prices

This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only.

2025 Departures
The departures are available daily, from April to October.

  • Single room: from $1,125USD*
  • Sharing a double room: from $875USD*

*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip and all the prices are per person. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates.

What’s included

Meals

7 breakfasts are included.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 7 nights are included. You can also add on additional nights at any of the overnight locations along the tour route to extend your stay. Accommodations before and after the tour can further be added as a supplement.

Transportation during the Tour

Transportation for your luggage from hotel to hotel is included throughout the tour. Airport transfers are not included.

Also Included

  • 1 package with maps and information per room (in English)
  • Service hotline during the walking tour

Not included

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas if required
  • Transportation to/from Osterode and Thale
  • Train ticket on Harz Narrow-Gauge Railway
  • Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
  • Guide services

Optional Extras

  • Additional nights before, during, or after the tour
  • Single occupancy upgrades
  • Bus transfer from Thale to Osterode

Accommodation for Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour

This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. If you prefer a single room or you are a solo traveller, the required supplements are included in the listed prices.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is the Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour?

We rate this tour as a 3/5. This tour requires participants to have a suitable level of fitness for consecutive days of walking or hiking long distances and some elements of climbing. No technical experience is required, but participants should be comfortable hiking 3-6 hours per day.

Do I have to carry my luggage?

Your luggage will be sent from hotel to hotel every day along the tour so you do not have to carry your bags with you.

I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?

Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.

Are meals included on the Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour?

7 breakfasts are included.

How do I get to Osterode to start this tour?

Fly into Hannover Airport (HAJ) and take the train to Osterode (approximately 3 hours). There are also trains from Hamburg Airport (HAM) to Osterode.

Where does the Harz Witches Trail Eastern Section Tour end?

The tour ends in Thale after you check out from your hotel. The nearest airport is Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ) and you can travel there by train.

Can I stay longer in some of the locations?

Yes, you can stay for additional nights in any of the overnight locations mentioned in the tour. We will be happy to help you arrange accommodations.

Do I need a visa to travel to Germany?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Germany?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Germany?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

When is the best time to travel to Germany for this tour?

The best time to travel to Lower Saxony for this hike is from May to September when the weather tends to be warm and clear.

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Why travellers choose this tour
At 10Adventures, it’s easy to make memories with the following six optional inclusions on this tour:
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