Southwestern mountain route

The route begins at the tourist information at Schnappelberg. The app guides you towards Vogelherd. At the small animal enclosure, a narrow path marked as hiking trail no. 2 leads uphill. Behind the water building, follow the wide forest path (not the R1). 

You can now follow no. 2 up to just past the Sägemühlenteich (sawmill pond). The two idyllic forest ponds invite a short stop before you ride uphill towards Herzogsweg. On your right below, you can see the water glittering through the trees. The Herzogsweg gently ascends the mountains in terms of incline, but the surface is sometimes somewhat rough and stony; the "Berggasthof Ziegenkopf" offers a first refreshment. Nearby is the former cult site "Bielstein," part of the literary settings of the Harz book series "In the Shadow of the Witches."

Now you cross the B 27, pass the Albert Schneider monument, and cycle over the Otto Ebert bridge. With some luck, the Rübeland railway passes just beneath you; the Harzer Wandernadel stamp no. 79 is always guaranteed at this spot. At the next crossroads, take some time and make a detour off the Harz app route to the "Brockenblick." Simply follow the power line about 800 m to the right and enjoy the view over the valleys, Harz mountain ranges, and up to the Brocken. Returning to the locally known "Handweiser," take the forest path "Alte Elbingeröder Heerstraße." You reach the farm and turn into Elbingeröder Weg, the wide field path between the farm buildings and the house. After crossing the railway tracks, continue a few meters along Alte Bahnhofstraße and immediately turn left into Friedensstraße. This ends at the B 27, which you follow a short distance to the left.   

The mine cart at the entrance to Hüttenrode recalls the mining tradition of Hüttenrode. An interesting anecdote along the way can be learned by reading the story about Post A on the display panel. 

Along the sports field, you re-enter the forest, briefly brushing past the village before continuing about 3 km at a relatively balanced altitude to Almsfeld. Unfortunately, the guesthouse is closed here. Shortly after, carefully cross L94 and ride about 1 km (from Almsfeld) towards Altenbrak. From the state road, several paths lead to the Todtenrode forestry house. According to the app, take the second left. No problem if you miss this turn; the signs to the guesthouse cannot be overlooked.

In Todtenrode, you have completed two-thirds of the route. Time for a revitalizing stop in the extraordinary ambience of Harz woodcarving art. The Harzer Wandernadel stamp no. 65 is also guaranteed here. From now on, you can enjoy about 200 meters of downhill ride to Wienrode.

Arriving at the small state road 93, follow it past the alpaca farm and through part of the village to the small sales point. Here turn left into Kampstraße. From now on, you can follow the R1 signs with the cycling witch symbol. Above Cattenstedt, catch a last glimpse of the Teufelsmauer before overcoming the final ascent to Blankenburg.

Behind the castle garages, take the sharp hairpin turn above the castle pond and roll back over Vogelherdstraße to Schnappelberg.