Today I’m taking you on a really beautiful but also demanding circular hike in the Upper Harz. Almost 23 kilometres and some tough climbs await you – in return you get wonderful views, quiet forests, historic places and four stamps that count twice: for the Harzer Wandernadel and for the Wildemann hiking pin. Perfect for everyone collecting towards the Wanderkaiser title!
Note: The Wildemann stamps are not separate boxes – they are existing HWN stamp points. You have to print the stamp sheet yourself (link to the stamp sheet).
By the way, you can easily split the tour into four shorter sections if 23 km is too much for you. We started the hike in Lautenthal simply because it was closer for us.
Stamp points of the Wildemann hiking pin
- HWN 107 – Maaßner Gaipel
- HWN 113 – Grumbacher Teich
- HWN 105 – Prinzenlaube
- HWN 130 – Iberger Albertturm
Steep start in Lautenthal – up to the Maaßner Gaipel
We start in Lautenthal – and straight uphill. The path climbs hard, and for quite a while. At the top you reach the Maaßner Gaipel with the first stamp – and maybe even a cold beer or a snack.
The name “Gaipel” comes from the old horse-driven winding wheels (Göpel) that once hauled ore out of the mountain here. History everywhere!
An easy stretch to the Grumbacher Teich
After the first summit it gets easier: wide forest tracks, colourful woods and quiet nature. Just before the Lower Grumbach Pond the path narrows again.
It’s worth taking a short break here. Most of the Grumbach ponds date from the 17th century and once supplied the mines with water. Historic water management at its best!
To Wildemann & up to the Prinzenlaube
The path leads gently down to Wildemann, past the GlowGolf course and through a pretty park (Mutti had one more good run there 😄).
Then it’s uphill again!
And the last section up to the Prinzenlaube (HWN 105) is tough: narrow, rocky, steep – but beautiful.
At the top you’ll find:
- stamp number 2
- a bit of a view over Wildemann
- and history: in 1814 Prince Adolphus of Hanover sat right here and admired the view.
Tip: On the way down, about 100 m from the viewpoint itself, there is a bench with a better view than at the shelter!
Through Wildemann to the Iberger Albertturm
Back in the valley the path follows the river through Wildemann, then climbs again on a forest path (flooded when we were there). Alternatively there is a dry forest track – hardly any longer.
At the top is our next highlight: the Iberger Albertturm (HWN 130).
It was built in 1886 (originally in a different form) and has an interesting history. If you like, you can climb the tower for a small fee or stop at the restaurant.
Two well-known long-distance trails meet here:
- Baudenstieg
- Karstwanderweg
Back to Lautenthal with a view of the Brocken
The way back passes the quarry and follows the Harzer Försterstieg for a while. Along the way there are more great views of the Prinzenlaube and even the Brocken.
The last kilometres back to Lautenthal were muddy in places – but atmospheric. As the sun was already low, we didn’t document the finale much, but it was beautiful.
This tour has everything that makes the Harz so special:
- Steep climbs and narrow paths
- Mining history you can touch
- Quiet forest & glittering ponds
- Romantic viewpoints
- Stamp points
