Bad Harzburg | Brocken | Torfhaus

Our cycle route "Torfhaus Runde von Bad Harzburg" is considered a difficult cycle route and is only recommended for people in good physical condition. The 48-kilometre route takes an average of around 4 hours and takes you up 1010 metres and back down again. The route starts in Bad Harzburg and leads from there past the Eckertalsperre dam to the Brocken summit. Once at the top, you return to Bad Harzburg via the Torfhaus.

The tour starts at the railway station in Bad Harzburg. From here, the route first heads south through the centre of the town to the Eckertal dam (also known as the Eckertal reservoir). It is the smallest and highest reservoir in the Harz water regulation system. The dam wall is approx. 235 metres long and approx. 60 metres high.

It can withstand a weight of no less than 420,000 tonnes of water pressure. Like many of the other reservoirs in the Harz Mountains, this one is used to produce drinking water for the Wolfsburg and Braunschweig region, as well as to protect against summer and winter floods and to generate energy.

Further south, it leads cyclists through the Ilse valley at the Brocken.

Unfortunately, many of the spruce trees here in particular have fallen victim to the bark beetle, causing the trees to die and no longer withstand storms and wind. As a result, the shallow-rooted trees toppled over, which is why many of the roots are now protruding upwards. Once at the top, the Brocken Railway, Germany's highest railway station, is waiting to be discovered.

If you have enjoyed the view and are now travelling on, take the new Goethe Trail along the Brocken Railway straight towards Torfhaus.

Torfhaus is a hub for both hikers and bikers and is also the highest settlement in Lower Saxony. In addition to the beautiful view, the Torfhaus offers delicious food and the visitor centre provides interesting information about the Harz National Park. From there it's back to Bad Harzburg where the cycle tour ends.