Western mountain route

The route starts at the tourist information at Schnappelberg. The app guides you towards Vogelherd and above the Schlossteich in the direction of Herzogsweg, which turns left before the castle garages. With a gentle ascent, you climb 200 meters in altitude on the partly somewhat rough and rocky Herzogsweg through the beautiful natural heritage forest. If you have some time and interest in addition to your sport activity, you will learn a bit about the natural forest habitat in the first meters of the route. Not far from the mountain inn Ziegenkopf, you cross the B 27 at the Albert-Schneider monument. Shortly after, you reach the Otto-Ebert-Bridge. With a bit of luck, the Rübeland railway runs right under you; the stamp no. 79 of the Harz hiking badge is always guaranteed at this point.    

Straight ahead, the path leads to a somewhat larger forest path junction with a shelter. Here, follow the signposting along the "Alte Elbingeröder Heerstraße" for 3.5 km towards Hüttenrode. The natural forest path is easy to cycle.

The highest district of Blankenburg greets you at the organic farm, which manages the expanses opening up in front of you. You leave the farm to the left and continue straight ahead past it to the "Elbingeröder Weg." The wide, fine gravel path points you westwards. The small charcoal burner’s hut at Hüttenrode's “Kuhteich” offers shelter. On the horizon, you can already see the Brocken and the Wurmberg, the highest elevations of the Harz. This panorama will accompany you for the next 6 kilometers. Equally impressive are the views from the bike path into the open-pit mines of the gravel works near Elbingerode. This is home to one of the most important and highest quality massive limestone deposits in Germany. 

At the end of the open-pit mines, you can take a look at Elbingerode's highest elevation and stamp station no. 38 of the Harz hiking badge, the “Galgenberg.” From the 16th century, it was actually the site of a court, as its name suggests.

A rather inconspicuous meadow path, at the end of which there is a wooden bench, branches off shortly after to the right. Follow this one. The natural Elbingerode meadow path along the forest edge runs parallel to the nearby B 244 and across the country road towards the Büchenberg show mine. A tour of the mine is very worthwhile. Those who do not want to interrupt their bike tour can also take a brief look at many mining tools along the roadside. By the way, there is also a possibility to buy a refreshment or snack during opening hours.

Continue through the Hartenberg settlement. At the connecting road between Elbingerode and Heimburg stands the Dreiherrenstein. It marks the point where three different lordship areas with their borders met.

The next stage – Eggeröder Brunnen – is reached after 2 km through densely forested woods. Numerous holiday homes line the path here before you turn left at the small pond on the way of German Emperors & Kings towards Volkmarskeller. The natural karst cave is located a few meters off the main path and can only be reached on foot. The short detour is especially worthwhile for fans of mystical places and nature lovers.   

The following descent through the Klostergrund to the Michaelstein Monastery requires concentration because the ground is very rocky and rough. Along the numerous ponds arranged in a row in the lower part, you cycle past the information panel on the right and through the ponds, a particularly beautiful place to take a small break with a view or enjoy a fish sandwich from the "Klosterfischer."

From here, follow the signposting of the panoramic hiking trail or later the Eurovelo R1 towards Blankenburg, along the wonderful Schäferlinde, under the railway underpass and over the Eichenberg.

Once you arrive in the Blankenburg urban area, stay on the R1 path up to the Great Castle before rolling down behind the castle pond and along Vogelherdstraße to Schnappelberg.