Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre
39.1miLength
8,458ftElevation gain
20.5–22.5hrEstimated time
Loop
Challenging loop in the Harz National Park, Lower Saxony/Saxony-Anhalt.
An interesting hike up the highest mountain in Northern Germany (1142 m). This hike begins in the mountain town of Altenau and first leads via Torfhaus and the famous Goetheweg to the Brocken. From there it goes on over the Grenzweg to the Ilsestein. If you want to split the loop into two day tours, you can hike from here to Ilsenburg to spend the night there. The way back to Altenau is via the Großer Gierskopf and the Eckertalsperre.
Due to the length, the terrain and the difference in altitude, you should bring sturdy shoes and be in good physical condition. The path should be avoided during or immediately after a storm, as trees can fall over.
Highlights of the hike:
- Mountain town of Altenau
- Goetheweg
- Summit of the Brocken
- great views
- Ilsestein
- Eckertalsperre
This text has been translated.
Top sights
Großer Schubenstein
Cliff
Rohntal
Valley
Ilsestein
Peak
Aussichtsplattform über der Brockenherberge
Viewpoint
Brockenuhr
Attraction
Wolfswarte
Peak
Okertal
Valley
Zanthierplatz
Hut
Ilsestein
Attraction
Aussichtspunkt Paternosterklippe
Viewpoint
Ilsenburg-Blick
Viewpoint
Eckersprung
Spring
Bohlenstieg Torfhausmoor mit Brockenblick
Attraction
Schutzhütte Eckersprung
Weather shelter
Altenauer Skikreuz
Attraction
Großes Spritzental
Valley
Kleines Okertal
Valley
Westerberg
Peak
Knochenbrecherkurve
Weather shelter
Große Oker
River
Tänntal
Valley
Eckertalsperre
Reservoir
Harzturm
Viewpoint
Tischlertal
Valley
Großes Okertal
Valley
Brockenkinder
Peak
Gewürzpagode
Attraction
Brocken
Peak
Kellwassertal
Valley
Gipfelstein Brocken
Attraction
Quitschenberg
Peak
Heinrichshöhe
Peak
Großer Gierskopf
Peak
Teufelskanzel und Hexenaltar
Attraction
Brockenkinder
Peak
Stadtmitte
Viewpoint
Seerosenteich (auch als Frosch- und Fischteich bekannt)
Pond
Zeterklippe
Hut
Weiße Steine
Peak
Großes Maitzental
Valley
Oimlhang
Viewpoint
Brockenblick
Viewpoint
Brockentor
Peak
Quitschenberg (Westkuppe)
Peak
Untere Hirschhörner
Peak
Renneckenberg
Peak
Ecker
River
Abbenstein
Peak
Ladenberg
Peak
Schultal
Valley
Molkenhausstern
Hut
Großer Jägerkopf
Peak
Wolfsberg / Pfortenberg
Peak
Untere Zeterklippe
Cliff
Schützenklippe
Peak
Am Kruzifix
Hut
Burg Ilsestein
Archaeological site
Fünf Sterne Insektenhotel
Attraction
Hedwigsblick
Viewpoint
Magdbett
Peak
Obere Hirschhörner
Peak
Kleines Sandtal
Valley
Dreisage Blocksberg
Peak
Dielenwegs Kopf
Peak
shaft head
Peak
Großes Lehmtal
Valley
Altenauer Hütte - an der Wolfswarte
Hut
Großes Fledermaustal
Valley
Mittleres Finkental
Valley
Unteres Finkental
Valley
Oberes Finkental
Valley
Kleines Spritzental
Valley
Hohe Wand
Peak
Wolfshäu
Peak
Kunstberg
Peak
Fünf-Groschen Brunnen
Spring
Schwarzenberg
Peak
Mittelberg
Peak
Wilde-Sau-Hütte
Hut
Blick über den Kräuterpark
Viewpoint
Goethehaus
Building
Top sights
Großer Schubenstein
Cliff
Rohntal
Valley
Ilsestein
Peak
Aussichtsplattform über der Brockenherberge
Viewpoint
Brockenuhr
Attraction
Wolfswarte
Peak
Okertal
Valley
Zanthierplatz
Hut
Ilsestein
Attraction
Aussichtspunkt Paternosterklippe
Viewpoint
Ilsenburg-Blick
Viewpoint
Eckersprung
Spring
Bohlenstieg Torfhausmoor mit Brockenblick
Attraction
Schutzhütte Eckersprung
Weather shelter
Altenauer Skikreuz
Attraction
Großes Spritzental
Valley
Kleines Okertal
Valley
Westerberg
Peak
Knochenbrecherkurve
Weather shelter
Große Oker
River
Tänntal
Valley
Eckertalsperre
Reservoir
Harzturm
Viewpoint
Tischlertal
Valley
Großes Okertal
Valley
Brockenkinder
Peak
Gewürzpagode
Attraction
Brocken
Peak
Kellwassertal
Valley
Gipfelstein Brocken
Attraction
Quitschenberg
Peak
Heinrichshöhe
Peak
Großer Gierskopf
Peak
Teufelskanzel und Hexenaltar
Attraction
Brockenkinder
Peak
Stadtmitte
Viewpoint
Seerosenteich (auch als Frosch- und Fischteich bekannt)
Pond
Zeterklippe
Hut
Weiße Steine
Peak
Großes Maitzental
Valley
Oimlhang
Viewpoint
Brockenblick
Viewpoint
Brockentor
Peak
Quitschenberg (Westkuppe)
Peak
Untere Hirschhörner
Peak
Renneckenberg
Peak
Ecker
River
Abbenstein
Peak
Ladenberg
Peak
Schultal
Valley
Molkenhausstern
Hut
Großer Jägerkopf
Peak
Wolfsberg / Pfortenberg
Peak
Untere Zeterklippe
Cliff
Schützenklippe
Peak
Am Kruzifix
Hut
Burg Ilsestein
Archaeological site
Fünf Sterne Insektenhotel
Attraction
Hedwigsblick
Viewpoint
Magdbett
Peak
Obere Hirschhörner
Peak
Kleines Sandtal
Valley
Dreisage Blocksberg
Peak
Dielenwegs Kopf
Peak
shaft head
Peak
Großes Lehmtal
Valley
Altenauer Hütte - an der Wolfswarte
Hut
Großes Fledermaustal
Valley
Mittleres Finkental
Valley
Unteres Finkental
Valley
Oberes Finkental
Valley
Kleines Spritzental
Valley
Hohe Wand
Peak
Wolfshäu
Peak
Kunstberg
Peak
Fünf-Groschen Brunnen
Spring
Schwarzenberg
Peak
Mittelberg
Peak
Wilde-Sau-Hütte
Hut
Blick über den Kräuterpark
Viewpoint
Goethehaus
Building
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Frequently asked questions
What’s helpful to know about this trail?
Experience this 39.1-mile loop trail near Altenau, Lower Saxony. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 5 min to complete. This is a popular trail for backpacking and hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
What is the expected weather this week for Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre?
Expected weather for Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre for the next 5 days is:
- Mon, September 21 - 58 degrees/drizzle
- Tue, September 22 - 62 degrees/clear
- Wed, September 23 - 54 degrees/showers
- Thu, September 24 - 59 degrees/foggy
- Fri, September 25 - 68 degrees/clear
Where is Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre located?
Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre is a trail located in Harz National Park.
How hard is Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre?
Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre is considered a hard hike that covers 39.1 mi, with an elevation gain of 8,458 ft. It takes about 20.5–22.5 hr to complete. Hard trails usually cover longer distances, and may have long or steep climbs or more difficult obstacles.
What is the elevation gain for Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre?
Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre is considered a hard hike that covers 39.1 mi, with an elevation gain of 8,458 ft. It takes about 20.5–22.5 hr to complete. Hard trails usually cover longer distances, and may have long or steep climbs or more difficult obstacles.
Is Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre a loop?
Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre is a loop trail that covers 39.1 mi, with an elevation gain of 8,458 ft. It takes about 20.5–22.5 hr to complete. Loop trails have the same starting point and endpoint. You'll follow a single route without retracing your steps.
How long is Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre?
Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre is a loop trail that covers 39.1 mi, with an elevation gain of 8,458 ft. It takes about 20.5–22.5 hr to complete. Loop trails have the same starting point and endpoint. You'll follow a single route without retracing your steps.
Are dogs allowed on Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre?
Yes, dogs are allowed on Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre, but must remain on a leash.
Are there scenic views at Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre?
Yes, according to trailgoers, Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre features multiple scenic viewpoints. Some of the viewpoints include Aussichtsplattform über der Brockenherberge, Aussichtspunkt Paternosterklippe, Ilsenburg-Blick, Harzturm, and Stadtmitte.
Are there rivers at Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre?
Yes, Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre is near Große Oker and Ecker.
Is backpacking allowed at Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre?
Backpacking is allowed on Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre. Backpacking trails are typically longer and are often point-to-point trails. Camping accommodations vary, and can include campsites, dispersed camping, huts, or in-town accommodations. You should always double check if a permit is required.
Are there forests at Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre?
Yes, Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre is a forest trail in Harz National Park.
Are there wildflowers at Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre?
Yes, trailgoers have reported a variety of wildflower types on Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre, though the specific types can vary from month to month.
Is there wildlife at Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre?
Yes, many trailgoers have spotted wildlife at Altenau - Brocken - Ilsestein - Eckertalsperre in Harz National Park. Always observe wildlife from a safe distance.
Last updated on September 19, 2026 at 10:46 pm GMT+0