Practical tips and advice

Signposting
The Harz Monastery Trail is marked with a circled cross in dark red. Since signs may occasionally be missing due to weather conditions or souvenir hunters, it's worth taking the hiking map with you or downloading the official GPS track onto your phone. If you notice missing or damaged signs, the Harz Monasteries office would appreciate your feedback.

Travelling by bike
You can cycle along about 85 percent of the route without difficulty. Some sections – for example along the Ecker between Vienenburg and Ilsenburg, at the Teufelsmauer near Blankenburg, in Ilsenburg Castle Park and across the Harsleben Hills – are not suitable for bikes. In the hiking map, you’ll find alternative routes along roads. After rain, the ground on forest and field paths can be soft or muddy.

Public transport
There are train stations in Goslar, Vienenburg, Ilsenburg, Wernigerode, Blankenburg, Thale, Quedlinburg and Halberstadt. Trains and buses run parallel to the route, so you can plan individual stages flexibly or return to your starting point. It's best to check timetables in advance, as not all lines operate throughout the day. If you stay overnight in the Harz, you’ll receive the Harz Holiday Ticket HATIX. With it, you can use many bus connections along the monastery trail free of charge during your stay.

Bus and train connections along the Harz Monastery Trail 
The individual timetables from HarzBus for Lower Saxony can be found here and those for Saxony-Anhalt here.

• Goslar – Vienenburg: Harzbus 822
• Vienenburg – Ilsenburg: Train connection (no direct bus line, limited bicycle transport)
• Ilsenburg – Wernigerode: HVB line 270
• Wernigerode – Blankenburg: HVB line 230
• Blankenburg – Thale: HVB line 250
• Thale – Quedlinburg: HVB line 253
• Quedlinburg – Halberstadt: HVB line 233
• Across stages: HVB lines 210 (Halberstadt–Vienenburg) and 231 (Wernigerode–Halberstadt)

Harz Hiking Badge
With the Harz Hiking Badge stamp booklet for the Monastery Hiking Trail, you can collect stamps along the way. If you manage to collect all the stamps of the Monastery Trail, you’ll receive the bronze hiking badge as a reward.

Places to stop
Along the route and in many monasteries, you’ll find cosy spots to take a break. Check the opening hours and make sure to bring enough snacks. Popular stops include the Klosterkrug in Wöltingerode, the Monastery Café Drübeck with its homemade cakes, or the restaurant “Zur Nagelschmiede” in Ilsenburg. 

Hiking with your dog
The Harz Monastery Trail is also suitable for hiking with your dog. Please keep your dog on a leash and check with your host in advance whether dogs are allowed in the accommodation.

Events
If you want to actively experience monastic culture, you should check the monastery event calendar. Especially between June and September, many monasteries invite you to concerts, guided tours and exhibitions as part of the Harz Monastery Summer.

Maps and information material
The hiking map and the hiking companion for the Harz Monastery Trail are available in all tourist information centres and in the online shop. They make it easier to find your way around on site and along the trail.

Out and about with kids
Thanks to its easy route, the Monastery Trail is also suitable for families with children. Many monasteries, such as Michaelstein or Walkenried, offer special guided tours for children and monastery rallies.