Walking guide to the Harz Mountains – Germany, Europe

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Walk 3: The Eckertal

Bad Harzburg circular

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Distance: 15km (9½ miles)
Time: 4½ hours
Public transport: Train or bus to Bad Harzburg; take a local town bus out to the Wolfsklippen at Sophienhöhe on the eastern edge of the town; otherwise it’s an additional 2km walk from the station due east along Julius Straße, under the motorway and along the main Ilsenburger Straße. Route 50D (blue spot) does however utilise quieter roads to the north via Abendröder Straße and Eichendorf Straße.
Parking: Bad Harzburg
Map: Naturpark Harz 1:50,000
Refreshment facilities: Bad Harzburg, Rabensklippe, Burgberg

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Route description: From the Ilsenburger road 200m past the Berufs Schule, just before the steep hairpin bend, take the lane Ilsenburger Stieg on the right, marked with a blue spot (50D) which climbs steeply past the last houses and out into the forest, past the Wolfsklippen (Wolf crags) bearing left and eventually contouring round the hillside for about 4km, with fine views from the edge of the Harz mountains northwards across the Harz foreland, before descending, above Stapelberg, into the Ecker valley.

This track through the valley alongside the little River Ecker (red triangle waymark 11G) follows what used to be the old Iron Curtain. You pass a paper and cardboard mill, as the valley curves westwards.

At a junction, take the higher path to the right, 20B which zigzags its way above the Hausmannsklippe; keep ahead with the waymarks to the Rabensklippe (Raven’s crag) with its inn.

From here take the track heading due north 20F waymarked with a blue triangle which follows the ridge to another crossroads; left here along 20E marked with a blue bar on white. Follow this as it heads westwards past the Kreuz des Deutschen Ostens - a memorial to the fallen of East Germany - a fine viewpoint over Bad Harzburg. The track follows the ridge round and down into the little Stübchental. Follow the signs (blue spot) via Antonius Platz to the Große Burgberg (482m) with its ruined castle, fine views, refreshments and cable car should you decide to save the strain of a steep descent into Bad Harzburg.

Otherwise go via the Kleiner Burgberg ahead which also has a ruined fort before descending steeply into Krodotal with the centre of Bad Harzburg ahead.

Points of interest:
Bad Harzburg: One of the Harz’s most famous resorts, Bad Harzburg recently had the centenary of its incorporation, but the town itself is generally believed to be considerably older. Its brine and mineral springs and good climate and its attractive situation on the northern slopes of the Harz mountains helped to make its reputation as an elegant resort where Russian archdukes, the King of Siam and even Otto von Bismarck were once among its regular visitors. It is still one of the four most important spa resorts in the Harz with an elegant shopping street, casino, coffee houses, and a splendid choice of hotels. There is also a music festival and horse racing week. A cable car to the summit of the Burgberg and a choice of walks make this an excellent centre for the northern Harz.