Harzer Witch Trail - Stage 5 - from Altenbrak to Thale

Short description

On this stage, we enter the Grand Canyon of the Harz Mountains - the Bodetal between Treseburg and Thale. Here, granite walls up to 250 meters high rise on both sides of the path. In Thale, a detour to Rosstrappe or Hexentanzplatz is worth it.

Description

The trout from the Bode are known, popular, and delicious. Freshly caught, they are served on the table in Altenbrak and Treseburg. The quietly babbling Bode is their home.
In Treseburg, we enter the Bodetal nature reserve, one of the oldest nature reserves in Germany. Before 1865, passage of the section ahead of us was not possible. The rock pressed too closely against the water, leaving no space for a passage, and the technical possibilities were not yet sufficient to create one.
But first, we walk comfortably into the gorge, which is still wide enough up here. The water murmurs softly in the depths, no noise from civilization disturbs the idyll. Soon, however, the path becomes narrower, the water comes closer, and the rocks on the left and right reach higher and higher. Finally, the river roars through its stony bed, spray mist fills the air, and granite walls up to 250 meters high rise up.
On top, with a good eye, Rosstrappe and Hexentanzplatz are recognizable, once mystical cult sites, now popular excursion destinations. The journey continues along the Bode and later through the Friedenspark towards the final destination of the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg.

Route description

On this stage, the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg always follows the Bode, which flows gently from Altenbrak to just beyond Treseburg. After Treseburg, we enter the Grand Canyon of the Harz Mountains, where the path becomes narrower and steeper, the Bode turns into a roaring mountain stream until it calms down shortly before Thale and releases the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg. It is now not far to the starting and finishing point at the train station, and hopefully there is still time for a visit to the town in the Land of Legends.

Arrival information

Altenbrak: Change from A36 to B81 in Blankenburg: turn onto L94 just before Wendefurth.

Thale: A36 towards Thale/Friedrichsbrunn/Westerhausen, L240 and L92

Parking information

There are paid parking lots at both the beginning and end of the stage.

Safety instructions

In the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg section in Treseburg, there is a risk of rockfall on the route behind the Hotel Bodeblick. Please observe the signs on-site and be particularly careful on this section of the route.