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Highlights
Hike the Harz Witches Trail to the peak of Brocken Mountain
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.
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!
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 Itinerary
Day 1 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Osterode
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Clausthal-Zellerfeld
Distance: 4.5 hours, 15 km, 511m of ascent, 163m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Altenau
Distance: 4 hours, 15km, 303m of ascent, 361m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 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).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Schierke or Wernigerode
Distance: 6 hours, 19km, 658m of ascent, 38m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 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.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Rübeland area
Distance: 6 hours, 22.5 km, 414m of ascent, 641m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 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).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Treseburg or Altenbrak
Distance: 4-5.5 hours, 15-20km, 485m of ascent, 639m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 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).
Overnight Location: Hotel in Quedlinburg
Distance: 3-4.5 hours, 10-15km, 400m of ascent, 510m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 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.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2025 Departures The departures are available daily, from April to October.
- Single room: from EUR929*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR739*
Accommodation on the 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.
What’s Included in the Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour?
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
- How hard is the Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour?
- Do I have to carry my luggage?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Are meals included on the Harz Witches Trail Hiking Tour?
- How do I get to Osterode to start this tour?
- Where does the Harz Witches Trail Eastern Section Tour end?
- Can I stay longer in some of the locations?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Germany?
- Do I need insurance?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Germany?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Germany?
- When is the best time to travel to Germany for this 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.
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.
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.
7 breakfasts are included.
Fly into Hannover Airport (HAJ) and take the train to Osterode (approximately 3 hours). There are also trains from Hamburg Airport (HAM) to Osterode.
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.
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.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
Check with your family doctor.
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.
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.
Customer Ratings
AugustusTours is an established tour operator in Dresden which is well known for its customized tours for both groups and individual travellers. As an experienced incoming operator, we do not only organize city and cultural tours to the capital of Saxony and the picturesque surroundings including the enchanting vineyards of the Elbe valley. Besides classical city tour programmes, we also offer trips to the sights of the region.
