The “Harz Walking Badge” is a system of checkpoints that guide you to attractive destinations across the region within three states and five administrative districts. Particular emphasis is not only put on well-known tourist attractions but also on beautiful hidden gems.
Contained in the hiking passbook are all 222 stamp points which are spread along 8,000 kilometers of marked hiking trails in the Harz. The hiking achievements are rewarded with badges at different levels. Owing to its size, the network of stamp points in the Harz is unique in all of Germany.
You can collect the Harz Walking Badge in bronze, silver, gold, or be awarded the nobility of hiking King and finally Emperor. The number of stamps presented by hikers in their passbook is critical for the assessment. Those who have hiked all 222 stamp points are deservedly called “Harz Hiking Emperor”. The enormous popularity of the Harz Walking Badge is reflected on the thousands of current Harz Hiking Kings, who have had to collect at least 50 stamps, plus the sale of tens of thousands of hiking passbooks confirms the Harz stamp fever.
Learn how to get your stamp passbook and where to find the individual control points in the Harz at www.harzer-wandernadel.de.
If you are already a happy Hiking Emperor and do not need any more stamps then can we suggest exploring the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, or one of the other long distance footpaths in the Harz.