I think I know what you're thinking:
The Harz? Well, it's not just for those over 50 who are into history, is it?
But no, it's so much more than that!
I have my husband to thank for the trips to the Harz. He has been mountain biking for part of his teenage years, and the Harz has been a regular on the cycling trip list every year. That's how the trips started for him and me, so my first trip to the Harz, before Oswald came along, was actually on a bike (which is really cool, if you're into that kind of thing!)
But when Oswald got old enough, and the corona had taken hold in the world, we went to the Harz with our dog and hiking boots, and we have done so once or twice a year ever since, during either Easter or the Ascension holiday.
The Harz has FED nature and spring is well underway at this time, so it is also super beautiful. If Easter falls early, I would recommend Ascension Day, as the weather can be a bit tricky. However, we have often been quite lucky and apart from a slightly wet and foggy trip this time, we have had most trips with good and mild weather - and a few times even with temperatures around 20 degrees.
But why do you think of the Harz? Let me tell you why!
From Djursland to the Harz it takes about 6 hours. It is manageable for most people - both two- and four-legged. We usually drive early in the morning, and then you arrive early in the afternoon, and can manage a trip of 2-3 hours that day.
We have stayed around Braunlage most of the time, and in this area you will find some of the highest mountains in the Harz - which are not as high as in Austria, for example, and that makes it a good place to start. From here it is also not far by car to a nearby town where you can park if you want to go on a trip to Brocken, which is the highest mountain in the Harz at 1141 meters. I can really recommend this trip. There is great nature and great views along the way, and an even better view at the top, and there is also the opportunity to buy some food at the top.
Inside Braunlage you can go on several walks up to or around Wurmberg, where there is also a ski lift up/down, which dogs are welcome to join. In general, I can really recommend the two apps called Alltrails and Bergfex Touren, here it is easy and straightforward to find hiking routes for most levels. In addition, the larger trails are really well signposted, so even when the GPS teased me this year because of the fog, it was easy to find my way back home.
This year we stayed around Hahnenklee, which offers not so high mountains, but greener nature and far more forests/mountain lakes, and although the fog unfortunately made it difficult to get the full impression, it was also a highly recommendable city to live in. What both places have in common is that it is CRAZY easy to have a dog with you! They are allowed in restaurants, on ski lifts and in many hotels. Even when we came wet and a little dripping into a restaurant this year, we were both warmly welcomed. Germany is not a culinary experience when it comes to food, but you can never go wrong with a carrywurst or a good schnitzel ;-)
The Harz really opened my eyes to how great hiking holidays really are, and the Harz is a great place to start as a new hiker - also for young dogs. If you have any more questions about our trip, you can always find me on my instagram @oswaldthelabrador, and I will answer the questions to the best of my ability.
Thank you for reading :-)
Pottedash from Oswald and Trine.
About the blogger
Trine lives in Djursland with her husband Oliver, two old cats and the Labrador Oswald who is from 2020. On a daily basis, Trine works as a pedagogue and teacher at a local elementary school, where Oswald is a school/reading dog twice a week. In addition, they train tricks, dog dancing and rally, they have also just started sniffing out FCI rally. When Trine is not at work, her free time is spent with Oswald and the weekends are often filled with dog training and competitions.
Oswald is a big soft boy who loves everything and everyone - and preferably with all his 37 kg at once. He may be big on the outside, but he is sure that he was born to be a lap dog. He loves to sleep at the foot of the bed under Trine's blanket, and preferably on his back with all his paws in the air.
Oswald loves to go wherever the trip takes him, whether it's a family visit, a picnic, training or when he goes abroad on vacation.
If you want to follow their everyday life a little more, you can find them on Instagram under @oswaldthelabrador.
Easter holidays: Hiking in the Harz with a dog
I think I know what you're thinking:
The Harz? Well, it's not just for those over 50 who are into history, is it?
But no, it's so much more than that!
I have my husband to thank for the trips to the Harz. He has been mountain biking for part of his teenage years, and the Harz has been a regular on the cycling trip list every year. That's how the trips started for him and me, so my first trip to the Harz, before Oswald came along, was actually on a bike (which is really cool, if you're into that kind of thing!)
But when Oswald got old enough, and the corona had taken hold in the world, we went to the Harz with our dog and hiking boots, and we have done so once or twice a year ever since, during either Easter or the Ascension holiday.
The Harz has FED nature and spring is well underway at this time, so it is also super beautiful. If Easter falls early, I would recommend Ascension Day, as the weather can be a bit tricky. However, we have often been quite lucky and apart from a slightly wet and foggy trip this time, we have had most trips with good and mild weather - and a few times even with temperatures around 20 degrees.
But why do you think of the Harz? Let me tell you why!
From Djursland to the Harz it takes about 6 hours. It is manageable for most people - both two- and four-legged. We usually drive early in the morning, and then you arrive early in the afternoon, and can manage a trip of 2-3 hours that day.
We have stayed around Braunlage most of the time, and in this area you will find some of the highest mountains in the Harz - which are not as high as in Austria, for example, and that makes it a good place to start. From here it is also not far by car to a nearby town where you can park if you want to go on a trip to Brocken, which is the highest mountain in the Harz at 1141 meters. I can really recommend this trip. There is great nature and great views along the way, and an even better view at the top, and there is also the opportunity to buy some food at the top.
Inside Braunlage you can go on several walks up to or around Wurmberg, where there is also a ski lift up/down, which dogs are welcome to join. In general, I can really recommend the two apps called Alltrails and Bergfex Touren, here it is easy and straightforward to find hiking routes for most levels. In addition, the larger trails are really well signposted, so even when the GPS teased me this year because of the fog, it was easy to find my way back home.
This year we stayed around Hahnenklee, which offers not so high mountains, but greener nature and far more forests/mountain lakes, and although the fog unfortunately made it difficult to get the full impression, it was also a highly recommendable city to live in. What both places have in common is that it is CRAZY easy to have a dog with you! They are allowed in restaurants, on ski lifts and in many hotels. Even when we came wet and a little dripping into a restaurant this year, we were both warmly welcomed. Germany is not a culinary experience when it comes to food, but you can never go wrong with a carrywurst or a good schnitzel ;-)
The Harz really opened my eyes to how great hiking holidays really are, and the Harz is a great place to start as a new hiker - also for young dogs. If you have any more questions about our trip, you can always find me on my instagram @oswaldthelabrador, and I will answer the questions to the best of my ability.
Thank you for reading :-)
Pottedash from Oswald and Trine.
About the blogger
Trine lives in Djursland with her husband Oliver, two old cats and the Labrador Oswald who is from 2020. On a daily basis, Trine works as a pedagogue and teacher at a local elementary school, where Oswald is a school/reading dog twice a week. In addition, they train tricks, dog dancing and rally, they have also just started sniffing out FCI rally. When Trine is not at work, her free time is spent with Oswald and the weekends are often filled with dog training and competitions.
Oswald is a big soft boy who loves everything and everyone - and preferably with all his 37 kg at once. He may be big on the outside, but he is sure that he was born to be a lap dog. He loves to sleep at the foot of the bed under Trine's blanket, and preferably on his back with all his paws in the air.
Oswald loves to go wherever the trip takes him, whether it's a family visit, a picnic, training or when he goes abroad on vacation.
If you want to follow their everyday life a little more, you can find them on Instagram under @oswaldthelabrador.