Even in winter the Harzer Hexenstieg is accessible
Trail start: Torfhaus / Altenau
Already I wrote 2 articles of Winterhiking around the Harzer Hexenstieg in german. Yesterday we went back to the Harz Mountains and did our next exploring tour to see how it works in winter. The plan: Fllowing the Hexenstieg up to the Brocken and back to the car which we parked in Torfhaus. During the trail preparation I saw that the track is just 16km long and it won’t be difficult to walk on the Goetheweg. You don’t need snow boots or something similiar. The trail was plain and fixed. Even it was easier in winter because you couldn’t feel all these little stones and roots.
Many people made the decision to hike on the Harzer Hexenstieg. Hiker, cross-country skier and cyclists shared the trail. As a hiker you just have an eye on the track: Hikers have to use the lane in the middle and please do not step on the cross-country ski run. It’s quite easy und usually there are no conflicts with other sportsmen.
On the top of the Brocken it was cold and windy. Including the wind chill factory it was -15°C. But partly the sun appears and we had a great winter day on the Brocken at the Harzer Mountains.
Later we met 3 dutch long distance hiker. They used the Harzer Hexenstieg for a training purpose as preparation for a trip to Norway.
Finally I have to say that a winter hike to the Brocken it quite easy. Don’t be angry of the snow. I think that the Harzer Hexenstieg has other stages which are more difficult in winter, e.g. between Altenau and Torfhaus. Not many people are on the trail between December and March.
Looks like a great hike