Devil's Bridge Trail in the Bode Valley – Rosstrappe loop from Hammelwiese

Running trails & routes

Germany

Saxony-Anhalt

Harz Mountains

Devil's Bridge Trail in the Bode Valley – Rosstrappe loop from Hammelwiese

Hard

4.6

(9)

135

runners

Devil's Bridge Trail in the Bode Valley – Rosstrappe loop from Hammelwiese

02:29

19.4km

630m

Running

Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 21, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Steinköpfe

Bodetal

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

7.44 km

Bülowhöhe — Viewpoint over Thale and the Bodetal

Highlight • Viewpoint

Thale is located on the north-eastern edge of the Harz Mountains, where the Bode emerges from the mountains and has dug a deep gorge between the steep, legendary rocks of the Hexentanzplatz and the Roßtrappe. In this gorge, the wild and romantic Bodetal, visitors can expect exciting myths and legends, fairytale forests, babbling brooks and rushing rivers, fascinating rock formations and fantastic views.

With the impressive Bodetal, the Hexentanzplatz and the Roßtrappe, the beautiful landscape and the entrance to the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, a long-distance hiking trail around 100 kilometers long between Thale and Osterode, Thale is a very popular, eventful holiday destination for hikers and nature lovers.

The Hexentanzplatz, located on a rocky plateau at 454 m above sea level high above the Bode Valley, is transformed every year on the night of May 1st, Walpurgis Night, into the festival site of witches and devils, a place of myths and legends.

With the remains of a former castle complex, the Hexenring with its sculptures and the Walpurgis Hall, the Hexentanzplatz is also a uniquely mystical place on the other days of the year. Other attractions of the Hexentanzplatz are the Harz Mountain Theater, the Harzbob and the Thale Zoo.

No less legendary is the Roßtrappe, a 403-meter-high granite rock rising from the Bode Valley above the left bank of the Bode. Numerous legends surround the rock, which is considered one of the most magnificent rock formations north of the Alps, due to a depression that resembles a footprint. This story is vividly told in the legend pavilion high up on the Roßtrappe.

The Bodetal has another highlight with the Thale Adventure World cable car. It is the starting point of the cable car to the Hexentanzplatz and the chairlift to the Roßtrappe and offers a wide range of fun and leisure activities for all ages with various fun parks, a demonstration hydroelectric power station, a downhill course and the Hexenkessel.

The Bodetal Therme with its thermal baths, sauna world, relaxation and health programs, as well as wellness and massage offers ensures rest and relaxation after an eventful day.

Source: harzinfo.de/urlaubsorte/thale

Translated by Google •

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9.70 km

Waldkater Hotel and Bridge on the River Bode

Highlight • Bridge

In the direction of Hirschgrund, the narrow trail is recommended (right in the direction of flow of the Bode). There are beautiful hillside paths above the youth hostel that are not as crowded.

Translated by Google •

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10.5 km

Königsruhe and the Stone Bridge in the Bode Valley

Highlight • Bridge

In Hirschgrund directly at the Bode is a restaurant with accommodation.

Translated by Google •

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10.5 km

Devil's Bridge Trail in the Bode Valley

Highlight • Trail

Class Trail through the Bode Valley, here you can walk over the Devil's Bridge over the Bode

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10.9 km

Schurre Trail (Bode Valley)

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

A spectacular hiking trail with 18 hairpin bends. It is the direct connection between the Rosstrappe and the Bodetal. The path is partially paved and is fully accessible again after being closed in 2010.

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12.2 km

Rosstrappe

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Rosstrappe rock near Thale, which protrudes far above, impresses above all with its steep edges and its view. Hundreds of meters of steep flanks fall here and somewhere down below the Bode flows rushing. The Rosstrappe is usually well attended, so you should avoid it on weekends. But the view is always worth it.

Typical Harz: The Rosstrappe owes its name to a legend. Prince Bodo pursued the king's daughter Brunhilde, who saved herself with a bold leap on her horse from the Hexentanzplatz (the rock opposite the Rosstrappe) via the Bodetal to the Rosstrappe. However, the prince's horse didn't make it, it fell down (Bode) and Bodo turned into a black dog. It is said that the hoof print of Brunhilde's landing can still be seen on the Rosstrappe.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

15.8 km

Steinköpfe

Nature Reserve

19.4 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

10.5 km

5.37 km

2.00 km

1.25 km

195 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

9.81 km

6.00 km

2.79 km

776 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Wednesday 7 October

15°C

8°C

98 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 24.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

October 26, 2022,Trainingslauf Thale-Roßtrappe

Used the day off today to explore the route. Even if I wanted to take it easy, from Thale via the President's Way up to the Rosstrappe you reach the limit, whether you want to or not. In these first 3.5 km you will remember all your sins and a lot more ....
The rest of the route with the …

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October 30, 2022,Harzlauf Thale: Rosstrappenlauf

After the training run on Wednesday, today the competition as part of the Harzlauf-Thale event.
With the best summer temperatures, we went sweaty on the President's Way up to the Rosstrappe and behind it in a wide arc back to Thale in the Kurpark.
Caught a great day with good legs and for my age I am absolutely satisfied with …

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