The Harzer Wandernadel
Collect stamps and explore the Harz National Park in a playful way.
Do you want to discover the nature of the Harz on your own and in a fun way? Then the Harzer Wandernadel is perfect for you to explore Germany's northernmost low mountain range on foot!
Whether you have a stamp card or not - you won't get past the Harzer Wandernadel stamping points on a hike through the Harz anyway. But what are the stamping points all about? The Harzer Wandernadel is an award that can be obtained by collecting stamps at the numerous stamping points scattered throughout the Harz. If you diligently collect stamps in your stamp book, you can be awarded one of the various levels of the hiking badge depending on the number of stamps you collect. You can choose between the levels "Bronze", "Silver", "Gold" and the title "Hiking King" or "Harzer Wanderkaiser". Anyone who has visited every single one of the 222 stamp sites scattered throughout the entire Harz region has seen almost every corner of the breathtaking and diverse nature of the Harz and can rightly call themselves "Harzer Wanderkaiser". If, on the other hand, the more modest title of "Harzer Wanderkönig" (Harz Hiking King) is enough for you, you only have to prove that you have 50 stamps in your hiking passport. However, there is a special feature for children up to the age of 11: with a total of 11 stamp impressions in their hiking passport, they can call themselves a hiking prince or princess.
The Harz stamp network is the largest of its kind in the whole of Germany and is becoming increasingly popular as a result. After all, there are around 8,000 kilometres of signposted hiking trails in the Har z to fill the hiking pass. The Harzer Wandernadel is perfect for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers who want to explore the Harz National Park on their own. For example, wonderful vantage points, natural monuments and castle ruins around the majestic Brocken are waiting to be discovered. With the Harzer Wandernadel, the entire Harz region is at your feet, from well-visited tourist magnets to historic UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The different tours and hiking trails along the stamping points vary in length, difficulty and altitude. Therefore, there is always a suitable route for ambitious hikers, families with children as well as for senior citizens. To make it easier for you to find your next hiking route for collecting stamps, we have made all the routes available to you on this page in cooperation with the well-known outdoor navigator Komoot. The interactive map below provides you with an overview of all the hiking routes of the Harzer Wandernadel. You don't have a Komoot account yet? Then use our Komoot voucher and get the "Harz Regions Package" free of charge. From now on you can get to know all the hiking and cycling routes digitally in the app and, if you wish, also voice-guided!
Have you also caught the stamp fever? Then enjoy the relaxation of hiking in the carefree nature of the Harz Mountains and maybe you too will soon be able to call yourself a "hiking emperor". You can find more information about the Harzer Wandernadel on the official website. We hope you have fun collecting stamps!