Storm low “Daisy” had nowhere near as dramatic an impact on the Harz as the weather services had predicted. And that’s a good thing, because with the forecast storm gusts and masses of snow, a hike in the Harz would have been very dangerous. As it was, “Daisy” brought plenty of snow – which of course is ideal for a snowshoe tour in the Harz.
On snowshoes along the Hexenstieg near Altenau
As arranged with the rental service, we pick up our snowshoes in Altenau. Just like on our “snowshoe test tour” (in German), we are again given a map with a recommended route. This time, however, we have set ourselves a bit more of a challenge: we want to follow part of the Hexenstieg, which in this section runs along the Dammgraben on relatively level ground.
After reaching the car park and strapping on our snowshoes, we set off straight away. The snow is extremely loose – powder snow that makes us sink in deeply even with snowshoes.
Snowshoe tours are more strenuous than hikes when there is no snow
After the snowfall of the previous night, the Hexenstieg is completely untouched. Nobody has used the path yet – ideal when you’re out on snowshoes. That makes for very relaxed walking. However, you are considerably slower than when there is no snow, because walking in the loose snow takes a lot more effort. Without snowshoes it would certainly have been much more strenuous still.
Only passable with snowshoes
After walking about 5 km to a shelter hut, where we took a short break, we chose a partly different route for the way back. It led us across mountain meadows and pastures where high snowdrifts had piled up. Getting through here without snowshoes would have been impossible. Even with snowshoes we sometimes sank up to our knees in the loose powder. For the last section of our tour we used the Hexenstieg again to get back to the starting point.
Renting snowshoes in the Harz
The snowshoes we rented from the Harz Agentur are made by TSL. There are two different models to rent: the TSL Rando 225 or the TSL Rando 227.
The smaller Rando 225 is better suited to women / lighter hikers. The TSL Rando 227 is somewhat wider and longer and therefore also suitable for “heavier types”.
Trekking or hiking boots for snowshoe tours
Sturdy trekking or hiking boots with a lugged sole are recommended. Warm, functional clothing is of course essential for a winter tour. When planning your tour, bear in mind that you will make much slower progress on snowshoes than usual – this is very easily underestimated. On snowshoe hikes in the Harz, special care for the landscape and wildlife in winter is of course a must. Stick mainly to uncleared hiking trails, and avoid walking on cross-country ski trails wherever possible.
