Harzer Grenzweg on the Green Belt

Short Description

Always along the former inner-German border ... on almost 100 impressive kilometers: the Harzer Grenzweg leads directly to the testimonies of the German division. Sometimes on shady paths, sometimes on the concrete slabs of the Kolonnenweg (patrol road).

Description

The Harzer Grenzweg on the Grünes Band, which mostly runs directly on secluded border paths or the former Kolonnenweg along the former inner-German border, uniquely combines the nature, culture, and history of the Harz region.
It crosses the mountain range on a varied and partially challenging hiking route between the border tower Rhoden (Osterwieck) in the north and the Grenzlandmuseum Tettenborn (Bad Sachsa) in the south.

On the way, you experience German contemporary history up close. Through the Ecker valley, a border river for many years, the path winds along the Eckertalsperre - through the middle of which the border also ran - up to the Brocken. Passing by the Dreieckiger Pfahl, a historic tri-border stone, it goes below the Wurmberg to the border opening memorial stone between Braunlage and Elend. The Freilandgrenzmuseum near Sorge preserves relics of the German division. The Ring of Remembrance and the tri-border stone at Jägerfleck near Benneckenstein are contemporary border markers on the way to Kloster Walkenried, which provides a fascinating insight into the importance of the Cistercians for the regions development.

The Harzklub has provided the path with complete signage. Information boards provide information on protected biotopes and historical sites along the wayside. For those who want to know more precisely, specially trained hiking guides offer guided tours. Specialized tour operators also organize luggage-free hikes over various stages along the Harzer Grenzweg.

Route Description

From the former border tower Rhoden in the north, the Harzer Grenzweg leads you on a varied and challenging hiking route through the Okeraue, through the Ecker valley, right through the national park up to the Brocken, past the Wurmberg through mountain meadows and stream valleys to Walkenried and into the South Harz Gypsum Karst landscape. It ends at the Grenzlandmuseum in Tettenborn, a district of Bad Sachsa.

Further Information

Further information is available at
Harzklub e.V., www.harzklub.de

Parking Information

Parking in the village of Rhoden or at the Grenzlandmuseum