On mystical paths over the Brocken – Germany’s Harz Devil's Path

The Harz Devil's Path takes you along the Cold Bode River through the eerily beautiful Elend Valley, passing the enchanted Schnarcherklippen and boggy meadows. On rooty paths you climb up to the Brocken before descending into the mystical Eckertal Valley and arriving in the spa town of Bad Harzburg.

Inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's masterpiece, Faust I, you follow in the footsteps of Mephisto and Doctor Faust and take the steepest paths up to the Blocksberg, where witches and devils rage on Walpurgis Night. The 26-kilometre (16 mi) long Harz theme trail retraces the ascent to the Brocken from the novel – it’s a challenging two-day Tour up and down the steepest route.

In principle, you can walk the Harz Devil's Path year round. As with any hike, however, you should check the weather forecast and, if necessary, snow conditions beforehand. Bring wind and rainproof clothing with you. Some passages can be slippery or muddy, so sure-footedness and sturdy shoes are essential, even in good weather.

The starting point of the Harz Devil's Path is the town of Elend in Saxony-Anhalt. You can get there by public transport or car (you can easily park in the paid car park in the centre of the village). If you travel by bus, there are two options: from Bad Harzburg with a change in Braunlage or the bus from Wernigerode. In both cases, you alight directly at the wooden church in the centre of Elend. Alternatively, you can also reach Elend by taking the Harzer Schalspurbahn train from Wernigerode.

This two-day hike is perfect for a weekend trip for sporty, ambitious nature lovers as well as hikers who want to try a beginner-friendly multi-day Tour. The Brockenhotel offers comfortable accommodation with a far-reaching view. Numerous places to stop for refreshments along the way also make the Teufelsstieg a culinary journey through Harz cuisine. You can find refreshments in Schierke, directly on the Brocken, at the Scharfenstein ranger station and in the Molkenhaus. There’s a fountain at the Eckertalsperre where you can fill up your water bottles. It’s possible to hike in the opposite direction from Bad Harzburg over the Brocken to Elend.

If you want to increase the level of challenge, you can also hike the Harzer Teufelsstieg in one day. No matter how you plan your adventure over the Brocken, you can finish it off with a well-deserved visit to the Bad Harzburg brine spa.