# Harzer Hexenstieg

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German footpath

The [Dyke Ditch](/source/Dyke_Ditch)

View of Altenau from the Grabenhaus Rose

The [Brocken](/source/Brocken)

The **Harz Witches' Trail**[1] ([German](/source/German_language): *Harzer Hexenstieg*) is a footpath, just under 100 km long, in [Germany](/source/Germany) that runs from [Osterode](/source/Osterode_am_Harz) through the [Harz mountains](/source/Harz_mountains) and over its highest peak, the [Brocken](/source/Brocken), to [Thale](/source/Thale). It is a project by the Harz Transport Association and [Harz Club](/source/Harz_Club) and is part of the system of trails known as the *[Harzer Wandernadel](/source/Harzer_Wandernadel)*.

## Footpath

The trail runs from Osterode via Lerbach to [Buntenbock](/source/Buntenbock), which is in the borough of [Clausthal-Zellerfeld](/source/Clausthal-Zellerfeld) and surrounded by the [Upper Harz Ponds](/source/Upper_Harz_Ponds). The ponds are part of a cultural monument to the former [mining industry of the Harz](/source/Mining_in_the_Upper_Harz), known as the [Upper Harz Water Regale](/source/Upper_Harz_Water_Regale) and to which the [Dyke Ditch](/source/Dyke_Ditch) belongs.

Following the Dyke Ditch, the path passes the [Dam House](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sperberhai_Dam_House&action=edit&redlink=1) as well as the Grabenhaus Rose which belongs to the town of [Altenau](/source/Altenau). Passing the Förster Ludwig Platz and Naben Valley Waterfall the path reaches [Torfhaus](/source/Torfhaus) via the *Steile Wand* ("Steep Wall").

In Torfhaus the Witches' Trail splits into two routes. The main route runs along the [Goethe Way](/source/Goethe_Way) to the Brocken, in places parallel to the [Brocken Railway](/source/Brocken_Railway), and from there to [Königshütte](/source/K%C3%B6nigsh%C3%BCtte_(Elbingerode)). An alternative route bypasses the Brocken and runs to other features of the Upper Harz Water Regale such as the [Oderteich](/source/Oderteich) and the [Rehberg Ditch](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rehberg_Ditch&action=edit&redlink=1). After passing [Sankt Andreasberg](/source/Sankt_Andreasberg) and [Braunlage](/source/Braunlage) this path rejoins the main route.

From Königshütte two alternative routes go to [Altenbrak](/source/Altenbrak). One way runs through [Rübeland](/source/R%C3%BCbeland) along the [Rübeland Railway](/source/R%C3%BCbeland_Railway), the other past the [Rappbode Reservoir](/source/Rappbode_Dam).

From [Altenbrak](/source/Altenbrak) the path continues to [Thale](/source/Thale), where the Harz Witches' Trail ends.

The name of the footpath is derived from the association of a number of sites with witches, including the Brocken and the *[Hexentanzplatz](/source/Hexentanzplatz_(Harz))* ("Witches' Dance Floor") in Thale and other sites such as the [Bruchberg](/source/Bruchberg) and [Braunlage](/source/Braunlage).

### Accommodation

The trail cannot be walked in one day, and in any case there are many points of interest en route, including unspoiled areas of nature as well as cultural landscapes and quaint villages. There are several hostels and shelters where walkers may overnight:

- Osterode

- Buntenbock

- Altenau

- Torfhaus - Brocken - Drei Annen Hohne

- or - Sankt Andreasberg - Braunlage - Elend

- Königshütte

- Thale

### Walking badge

There is a walking badge called the *Harzer Hexenstieg* for the total of 11 check points of the *[Harzer Wandernadel](/source/Harzer_Wandernadel)* network of paths that may be found along the path.[2]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Duda, Anka and Witschaß, Martin (xxxx). *Harz County Trail Guides*, map and guide brochure, Dept of Economic Affairs, Harz County, Quelinburg Druck.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** [http://www.zukunft-harz.de/wandernadel/home/spielregeln.php](http://www.zukunft-harz.de/wandernadel/home/spielregeln.php) *Harzer Wandernadel*[*[better source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Questionable_sources)*]

## Walking maps and literature

- *Harzer Hexen-Stieg, Offizielle Karte zum thematischen Wanderweg durch den Harz* – walking map (1 : 30.000), Schmidt-Buch-Verlag, Wernigerode 2007, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-936185-32-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-936185-32-4)

- Bauer, Hans & Krooß, Stefan, *KartoGuide Harzer Hexen-Stieg, Der offizielle Führer mit Karte zum Wanderweg durch den Harz (inkl. Hexen-Stieg-Wanderkarte von 2007)*, Schmidt-Buch-Verlag, Wernigerode 2006, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-3-936185-33-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-3-936185-33-1)

- *Harzer-Hexen-Stieg* – walking map (1 : 25.000), Publicpress, Geseke 2006, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3-89920-165-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3-89920-165-5)

- Stein, Conrad: *Harz: Hexenstieg, Outdoor-Handbuch Band 163*, Conrad Stein Verlag 2005, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [3-89392-563-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/3-89392-563-5)

## External links

- [Official **Hexenstieg** website](http://www.hexenstieg.de/)—(in German)

- [Private Homepage on the *Harzer Hexen-Stieg*](http://www.hexen-stieg.de/)(in German)

- [Trip report, trip information and photos of the *Harzer Hexenstieg*](http://www.reiseprojektor.de/europa/deutschland/wanderungen-auf-dem-harzer-hexenstieg.html)—(in German)

[Portals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals):
- [Mountains](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Mountains)
- [Germany](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Germany)

Authority control databases International VIAF GND National United States Israel

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Harzer Hexenstieg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harzer_Hexenstieg) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harzer_Hexenstieg?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.