Harzer-Hexen-Stieg - Stage 3 - from Torfhaus to Drei Annen Hohne

Short Description

The highlight of the tour: On this stage, you will pass through the Harz National Park to the 1141 m high Brocken, the highest mountain in the Harz region and all of Northern Germany.

Description

The 1142 meter high Brocken peak seems within reach from the starting point Torfhaus. The Witch Trail and Goethe Path merge, leading us towards the most German of all mountains. The wooden green witch on the sign trees of the National Park shows us the right way.
Here, along this paved path, once ran the border that divided Germany for over 40 years. That is history. Today, we pass through the most beautiful high moors of the Harz in the Harz National Park to the highest peak in Northern Germany, with an incomparable view. Schlungsklippen, Ahrensklint, Trudenstein: above Schierke, the trail passes by quaint rocks to our stage destination, right by the station of the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway in Drei Annen Hohne.

Route Description

Upon reaching Torfhaus, the landscape opens up again, with a magnificent view of the highest peak in the Harz, the Brocken. Formerly unreachable, situated between East and West. Today, on the comfortable Goethe Path, we cross the former Iron Curtain, which has now become the Green Belt. Occasionally, the steam trains of the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways pass by, carrying lazy hikers to the mountain. The fantastic panoramic view from the 1141 meter high Brocken summit is well worth the climb. Even in fog, which is not uncommon, the mountain is an experience. Alpine plants grow in the Brocken garden, and the Brockenhaus offers interesting information about the mountain and its history. The highest point of the Witch Trail has been reached. Now it goes downhill. However, only in terms of the terrain, as the excitement remains. Have you heard of the impressive Wollsackverwitterung of the Brocken granite, as described by Goethe? You will find it at Ahrensklint, the Flintstone Cliffs, and the Trudenstein above Schierke!

Schierke, in the Valley of the Witches, has a long tourist tradition. The St. Moritz of the North was and still is a popular winter sports resort. Numerous old half-timbered villas exude their charm. The village at the foot of the mountain is one of the most common starting points for the Brocken hike. However, we walk down quiet paths, as the Witch Trail passes above the village, down to the hamlet of Drei Annen Hohne.

Travel Information

The Altenau district of Torfhaus can be easily reached by car via the B4 from the north through Bad Harzburg and from the south through Braunlage.

Drei Annen Hohne is located on the L100 between Wernigerode and Schierke.

Parking Information

There is a paid large parking lot at Torfhaus.

The stage ends directly at the paid large parking lot of Drei Annen Hohne.