Runde von Schierke

This hike (round from Schierke) is quite something. This rather difficult hiking trail stretches for almost 22 kilometres along the Green Belt and the Devil's Path. But it is definitely worth the effort, as there are numerous highlights and breathtaking views waiting to be discovered by adventurous hikers.

The hiking trail begins at the railway station in Schierke, from where it heads north-west for just under 4 kilometres. The first highlight to appear here is the "old bobsleigh run". The Schierke bobsleigh track was built in 1907 and was in operation until the 1950s, making it one of the oldest tracks in Germany. A wide variety of competitions were held here over a length of about 1450 m, with the bobsleds reaching speeds of between 70 km/h and 100 km/h. The bobsleds were also used in the past.

Further north, after about 7.3 kilometres, is the entrance to the Teufelsstieg (Devil's Path), which is not easy to negotiate with its large stones. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and sufficient stamina pay off here. One of the sights of the Harz par excellence is the legendary Brocken railway that follows. Since July 1992, guests have been able to climb the highest peak in northern Germany by Brockenbahn. Pure nostalgia...

The next hiking highlight is the Green Belt, a former border strip that runs right through Europe and offers a wide variety of species. The Iron Curtain separated man and nature throughout Europe and yet proved to be a blessing for nature, as it was able to spread unhindered here. Another highlight is the Torfhausblick , which follows after about 11 kilometres - as the name suggests, all hikers are offered a perfect view of the Torfhaus here. The hiking trail finally leads past the ascent to the Eckerloch and the adjacent southern "Teufelsstieg entry" back to Schierke where the hike comes to a well-deserved end after an average of six and a half hours.

Equipment :