St. Andreasberg Highland Hiking Trail

The starting point is the geological educational trail on the Jordanshöhe. First, follow the forest road westward—passing the mountain farm Neigenfindt. From here, you have a magnificent view over the mountain meadows and the mountain town of St. Andreasberg towards Galgenberg. Gradually descend over the Sperrental meadows until after about 2 km you enter a high forest and shortly afterwards reach the Treibholz waysign with the Kurt-Reulecke hut. Turn left here. Through a bright high forest, descend into the Sperrental valley. Once at the bottom, cross the Sperrlutter on a small wooden bridge and then cross the gravel path before immediately turning right onto the Gerenner Weg. This path initially gently ascends and again offers a wonderful view over Galgenberg, Glockenberg, and the lower town before descending gently to Untere Grundstraße, which must be crossed. To ascend Galgenberg, first follow a section of Mühlenstraße, then turn right into Krumme Straße. The Fritz-Schlamelcher-Weg circles around Galgenberg. From Galgenberg, hikers enjoy a magnificent panoramic view: to the north over the Sperrental meadows, west to Sieberberg with the nearby district Silberhütte, and south to Stöberhai and the Glockenturm. Continue on Auf der Höhe street, leading into Schwalbenherd. Between houses number 13 and 14 on Schwalbenherd, the path turns right, crossing a bridge to Schiefe Halbe path. This meets Hüttenweg (right), which steadily descends to the lowest point of the circular route (450m) – Wäschegrund street. Turn left here and follow L520 to Köhlergrund forest path (right). After a challenging ascent of about 3 km, Matthias-Schmidt-Berg lodge (663m) is reached, offering another unique view. Continue eastward, passing the mountain stations of the cable and chair lifts. At the next fork and crossroads, keep left and follow the path towards the cable car valley station for a bit. Above the first drag lift, turn right onto the path to Beerberg. Shortly afterwards, reach Jacober Halde, where a shelter, seating areas, and tables invite you to rest. This section of the highland trail is simultaneously the geological-mining-historical educational path, which leads around Beerberg to the show mine Grube Roter Bär. Passing Grube Roter Bär, ascend again over meadow areas. Then you reach Eschenberger Planweg (also Beerbergweg) again, turning left towards Braunlager Straße, crossing this and climbing slightly towards the drinking water reservoir at Dreijungfern. Now follow the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg westward for about 1 km (towards Rehberger Grabenhaus). The footpath flows into Am Gesehr street, which soon becomes Jordanshöhe street and leads past the country boarding schools to Clausthaler Straße and back to the geological educational trail.

The route is located in the following protected areas:

• Harz National Park
• Harz Nature Park

The following rules apply here:

• Please observe the local guidelines for the protection of nature.
• Please do not walk off the paths.
• Please keep noise to a minimum.
• Please do not collect stones or minerals.
• Please do not pick mushrooms.
• Please do not leave any litter.
• Please do not feed animals.
• Please only camp in marked areas.
• Please do not light open fires.
• Please do not pick plants.
• Please do not relocate plants or animals.
• Please do not let dogs run free.
• Please do not fly kites or model airplanes.

There is a parking lot directly at the starting point.

St. Andreasberg, Jordanshöhe

Hiking & cycling map "Der Hochharz - Hiking and Cycling Map" 1:30,000 by Schmidt-Buch-Verlag | standard edition ISBN: 978-3-928977-91-3, price: €4.00 | weatherproof edition ISBN: 978-3-936185-56-0, price: €6.90