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Tours/Europe/Germany

Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour

Hike the Harz Witches Trail to the peak of Brocken Mountain

4.7 (69 ratings)

Europe

Happiness Promise

Bode Valley, Bodetal, Harz Mountains, Germany hiking Harz Witches's trail

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From $825USDBook Now

Lifetime Deposit - Lifetime deposit means if you need to cancel your booking you’ll get a credit for your full deposit to use on your next booking.

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About this tour:

8 days

Apr-Oct

Walking

Self-guided, Private

Hotels

Moderate (3/5)

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Why travellers choose this tour

At 10Adventures, we take care of the details so that our guests can focus on making memories. Enjoy these key features on this tour.

We're Canadian

Book with a Canadian company whose mission is to help you travel the world.

Meals

Don't worry about meals. 7 breakfasts are included.

Transfers

Check out the 'What's Included' tab for more info on personal transfers during your tour.

Local Support

Travel stress-free knowing in-country local support is available by regular phone or WhatsApp to support you during your tour.

Payments Made Easy

Enjoy the flexibility and ease of staggered payments in your own currency using your choice of credit card.

Route Resources

Route notes, maps, and/or a trail app make navigation on this tour a breeze.

Park Entrance Fees

Included where possible! Check the 'What's Included' tab for more info on park entrance fees during your tour.

Luggage transfers

Take a load off, with optional or included luggage transfers. Check inclusions for further details.

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.

Hotels on Standard Tour

Night 1

Hotel in Osterode

This historic walled city has a scenic market square, churches, and beautifully-preserved classic timber-frame houses.

Night 2

Hotel in Clausthal-Zellerfeld

Enjoy this vibrant university town, home to Germany’s largest church, Marktkirche zum Heiligen Geist.

Night 3

Hotel in Altenau

This charming mountain town has extensive herb gardens to visit.

Night 4

Hotel in Schierke

A small village in the forest, Schierke is the gateway to Brocken Mountain and home to the steam-powered railway to the peak.

Night 5

Hotel in Rübeland

An area known for limestone mining and extraction, Rübeland has many interesting caves to explore.

Night 6

Hotel in Treseburg

Treseburg is a gorgeous little village along the rushing Bode River with a very scenic bridge.

Night 7

Hotel in Thale

Thale is known for the Bode Gorge, the “Grand Canyon of Germany.”

Planning a group trip?

Learn how we help group of friends, outdoor clubs and families get the tour they’ve been dreaming about.

Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour Details

Overview

Itinerary

Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1: Arrival in Osterode

Overnight Location - Hotel in Osterode | Distance - None | Meals - None

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.

Day 2

Day 2: Osterode to Clausthal-Zellerfeld

Overnight Location - Hotel in Clausthal-Zellerfeld | Distance - 4.5 hours, 15 km, 511m of ascent, 163m of descent | Meals - Breakfast

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.

Day 3

Day 3: Clausthal-Zellerfeld to Altenau

Overnight Location - Hotel in Altenau | Distance - 4 hours, 15km, 303m of ascent, 361m of descent | Meals - Breakfast

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.

Day 4

Day 4: Climb to Brocken Mountain

Overnight Location - Hotel in Schierke or Wernigerode | Distance - 6 hours, 19km, 658m of ascent, 38m of descent | Meals - Breakfast

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).

Day 5

Day 5: Schierke to Rübeland

Overnight Location - Hotel in Rübeland area | Distance - 6 hours, 22.5 km, 414m of ascent, 641m of descent | Meals - Breakfast

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.

Day 6

Day 6: Rübeland to Treseburg

Overnight Location - Hotel in Treseburg or Altenbrak | Distance - 4-5.5 hours, 15-20km, 485m of ascent, 639m of descent | Meals - Breakfast

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).

Day 7

Day 7: Bode Gorge to Thale

Overnight Location - Hotel in Quedlinburg | Distance - 3-4.5 hours, 10-15km, 400m of ascent, 510m of descent | Meals - Breakfast

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).

Day 8

Day 8: Departure

Overnight Location - None | Distance - None | Meals - Breakfast

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.

Tour Highlights

What's Included

Dates & Prices

Accommodation

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Reviews (69)

Tour Booking Process

FAQ

FAQ for Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour

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.

Tour Difficulty

From $825USD

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Planning a group trip?

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As Seen On

We make it easy for travellers to book private travel experiences, so they can make memories exploring the world with the people that matter most.

— Richard Campbell, CEO

Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour

What travellers are saying about 10Adventures

Why travellers choose this tour