The Harz Mountains, a highland area in northern Germany spanning parts of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia, is characterized by its diverse and rugged terrain. This region features extensive forests, high-altitude spruce forests, dramatic valleys, and unique rock formations. Its varied landscape makes it suitable for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
The Harz Mountains offer a wide range of outdoor activities, with more than 24,000 routes available…
242
Routes
4.7
(69750)
Average rating
257402
People visited

4.8
(4021)
15,049
hikers
17.5km
04:55
350m
350m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(4835)
16,863
hikers
12.7km
04:06
500m
500m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(3987)
12,538
hikers
14.1km
04:14
360m
360m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(2730)
10,617
hikers
4.40km
01:08
20m
20m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(157)
1,127
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(62)
255
riders
60.0km
04:07
420m
420m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.7
(59)
238
riders
33.4km
02:34
600m
600m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(488)
1,761
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(122)
433
riders
38.2km
03:18
880m
880m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(95)
355
riders
31.2km
02:51
690m
690m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.6
(83)
289
riders
26.7km
02:11
520m
520m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.3
(36)
125
riders
22.0km
01:53
540m
540m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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4.4
(8)
213
riders
86.6km
04:08
1,200m
1,190m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(4)
38
riders
68.1km
03:20
1,010m
1,010m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

9
riders
151km
07:18
2,150m
2,150m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.7
(37)
967
riders
40.0km
02:10
770m
770m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.6
(7)
63
riders
59.3km
05:20
1,190m
1,190m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.9
(8)
98
riders
67.5km
04:50
1,410m
1,410m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

3.8
(13)
58
riders
23.4km
01:34
370m
370m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
56
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(10)
421
runners
14.7km
01:35
260m
260m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(21)
406
runners
24.9km
02:49
520m
520m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.8
(20)
402
runners
12.0km
01:21
300m
300m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(21)
358
runners
19.7km
02:14
320m
320m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.9
(18)
77
hikers
12.7km
04:10
530m
530m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.9
(13)
63
hikers
18.6km
05:57
710m
710m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(11)
28
hikers
10.6km
03:34
390m
390m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.8
(11)
29
hikers
10.6km
03:31
390m
390m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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Karst Trail in Germany's Southern Harz Mountains – Where Water Meets Limestone
Hiking Collection by
R.
Peak tour through Germany: the highest pass and mountain roads
Road Cycling Collection by
TOUR Magazin
The Harz Mountains offer a wide range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, Jogging, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The region features over 24,000 routes across these sports. Its diverse terrain, from dense forests to dramatic valleys, caters to various skill levels.
The Harz Mountains feature over 9,000 km of hiking trails. A notable long-distance path is the Harzer Hexenstieg, which crosses the region. Hikers can explore diverse landscapes, including high-altitude spruce forests and rugged valleys. For more options, consult the Hiking in the Harz Mountains guide.
Yes, the Harz Mountains offer many trails suitable for all fitness levels, including easy strolls and family-friendly options. Paths range from gentle routes in the foreland to more challenging climbs in higher elevations. Specific guides like Family-friendly hikes in the Harz Mountains and Easy hikes in the Harz Mountains are available.
The Harz Mountains include many trails where dogs are permitted, allowing for shared outdoor experiences. It is advisable to check specific trail regulations, especially within the Harz National Park. A dedicated guide for Dog-friendly hikes in the Harz Mountains is available.
Key natural attractions include Brocken Mountain, the highest peak at 3,744 feet (1,141.1 meters), offering panoramic views. The Bode Gorge (Bodetal) is known for its rugged rocky valley, and the Devil's Wall features distinctive sandstone formations. The region also has raised bogs, extensive forests, and picturesque waterfalls like the Lower Ilse Falls.
The Harz Mountains are a prime mountain biking destination in northern Germany. The Volksbank Arena Harz offers 74 routes spanning 1,367 miles (2,200 kilometers). Additionally, the Bode Valley provides 7 routes with varied terrain, from forest roads to technical singletracks. Five bike parks are also available for downhill enthusiasts. Explore options with the MTB Trails in the Harz Mountains guide.
Yes, the Harz Mountains offer a variety of routes for touring and road cycling. Less strenuous options are available in the Harz foreland and valleys, allowing cyclists to explore picturesque landscapes and historical sites. Guides such as Cycling in the Harz Mountains and Road Cycling Routes in the Harz Mountains provide detailed information.
The highest peak in the Harz Mountains is Brocken Mountain, standing at 3,744 feet (1,141.1 meters). It is known for its high-altitude spruce forests and offers extensive views of the surrounding region. The mountain is also significant in German folklore.
The Harz Mountains region is highly popular on komoot, with more than 2.6 million visitors sharing their experiences. The region's routes have received over 630,000 ratings, resulting in an average rating of 4.56 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among outdoor enthusiasts.
Komoot offers several guides for the Harz Mountains, covering various activities and interests. These include Hiking in the Harz Mountains, Family-friendly hikes, Dog-friendly hikes, MTB Trails, and Cycling in the Harz Mountains. These guides provide curated routes and essential information for planning trips.
Hikers in the Harz Mountains can expect diverse terrain, ranging from dense beech and spruce forests to rugged valleys and unique rock formations. The region features extensive trail networks, including forest roads, gravel paths, and narrow trails. Elevations vary, offering both gentle slopes and challenging climbs.
The Harz Mountains are home to several charming towns that serve as excellent bases for outdoor activities. Quedlinburg and Goslar, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, offer historical charm with cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. These towns provide access to various trails and local amenities.
The official tourism marketing organization for the Harz Mountains is the Harzer Tourismusverband e.V. Their official website is www.harzinfo.de. For direct inquiries, they can be reached by phone at +49 5321 3404-0.

