Moors, forests & trails – a Trans Harz double whammy

Rocky gorges, mysterious upland moors, wide forests and medieval half-timbered towns –
The enchanting Harz region is the setting of many mysterious fairy tales and legends for good reason. In this Collection, we won’t tell you forgotten fables, instead, we will show you how to cross the Harz on your mountain bike – twice!

Our east-west route is a little shorter and therefore the best choice if you have never crossed a mountain in bikepacking style before. The north-south route, on the other hand, is a bit longer and has more meters of climbing making it a nice challenge for more experienced bikers. If you can't get enough, ride both routes one after the other, making a total of four stages which take you deep into the Harz Mountains.

We have mapped out both routes to start and end at a railway station so you can easily reach your adventure without a car, even if you combine all four routes into one journey.
At the end of each stage you will always find a place to stop and stay overnight so you can end the day in comfort and re-energize for the next day.

The Harz Mountains are the highest mountains in Northern Germany. Of course, you won’t encounter alpine conditions here, but there are still a few meters of altitude to master. It won’t hurt to have a basic level of fitness before taking on the challenge. You should also take enough provisions and spare parts with you. Although civilization is never far away, it’s better to be on the safe side. You will ride through some more remote parts of the Harz National Park. Along the way, you can stop off at bike parks to meet fellow cyclists and find technical assistance if you need it.

Now pack your warm clothes and rainwear in your luggage and the Harz fun can begin!