The Bear Bridge allows hikers to cross the Große Bode River without getting wet. It is the largest bridge structure spanning this tributary of the Warme Bode. The massive stone bridge is located in the middle of a popular hiking area in the valley of this mountain river at the foot of the Wurmberg. It lies in the national park area approximately three kilometers north of the town center of Braunlage.
The origin of the rather peculiar name of the Bear Bridge is lost in the mists of time. You're unlikely to encounter bears here, and it was certainly not created for them. However, it is very likely that it is still used by forest animals when there are no humans nearby.
The Bear Bridge is less suitable as a standalone hiking destination, but it is all the more suitable as a stopover or place for a break. At this Bode crossing, there is an important trail crossroads and a rest area with a shelter within earshot of the rushing river.
This "Alfred Rieche Hut," named after a former chairman of the Braunlage Harz Club branch, was rebuilt in 2015 on the site of a previous building. A special feature of this open wooden building, built on behalf of the Harz National Park, is the gently sloping roof, making it ideal for vegetation.
From the Bärenbrücke (Bear Bridge), various hiking options open up in all directions. From here, you can reach the Brocken, Wurmberg, Braunlage, the Bode Waterfalls, and Achtermannshöhe, among others. There are also countless more distant destinations.
The bridge thus represents an important landmark in the hiking area between Braunlage, Wurmberg, and Königskrug. Numerous signposts list the worthwhile hiking destinations in the surrounding area and further afield.