Harz loop with the Brockenbahn and mines

This is where your trip begins. You head south-east into the eastern Harz, where your first base awaits.

A short stop in the UNESCO World Heritage old town with over a thousand half-timbered houses and the Schlossberg above the town. The cobbled lanes and market square are easy to explore on foot. For children, the maze of crooked little houses is a small adventure in itself.

A family-friendly site right at the entrance to the wonderfully wild Bodetal valley, ideal as a base for the first few days. Footpaths and the cable cars up to Hexentanzplatz start from here. The river and meadows give children plenty of room to run about.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

The cable car whisks you up to Hexentanzplatz, with views over the deeply carved Bodetal valley. At the top, a small zoo, the Walpurgishalle museum and plenty of witch-and-devil folklore await. For the way back, the chairlift down to Rosstrappe beckons.

This viewpoint opposite Hexentanzplatz offers one of the finest views into the Bodetal valley. The famous hoofprint in the rock belongs to the legend of Princess Brunhilde, which children love to follow. Short, well-secured paths make the outing suitable for families.

This ore mine, worked for over 1,000 years, is now a fascinating visitor mine and UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the mine railway ride and guided tour through the tunnels, children get a first-hand feel for how ore was once extracted here. Warm clothing is essential even in August, as it's only a few degrees underground.

The mediaeval old town, with its market square, glockenspiel and mighty Kaiserpfalz, is also a World Heritage Site. The stroll through the lanes is short and child-friendly, and the Kaiserpfalz tells the story of the German kings. An ice cream on the market square rounds off the afternoon nicely.

A peacefully located woodland campsite near Hahnenklee, a good base for the western Harz. A swimming pond and footpaths right on site provide plenty of variety. From here you can easily reach Wernigerode and the Brockenbahn by camper.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

This colourful half-timbered town, with its ornate town hall, is known as the 'colourful town in the Harz'. Steam trains of the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen depart from the station here. A short stroll through the lanes sets the mood for the day.

The historic steam locomotive of the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen puffs its way up through the forest to the 1,141-metre summit of the Brocken. At the top, a panoramic view, the Brockenhaus with its national park exhibition, and often a fresh breeze await. For children, the ride is an unforgettable experience.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

This large reservoir lies picturesquely between wooded slopes and invites you to take a sightseeing boat trip or a walk along the dam wall. In summer you can swim at spots along the shore or hire a pedal boat. A relaxing place to pause.

A short, well-marked path leads from a walkers' car park to the Kästeklippen, with their bizarre granite rock formations and a viewing platform. Children can clamber among the rock towers and hunt for the stamping points of the Harzer Wandernadel. The route is compact and family-friendly.

One of Germany's oldest show caves, with impressive stalactites and an underground lake. The guided route is well developed and easy for children to manage. Theatre performances were once even held in the Goethesaal.

Home to the world's only surviving 'Fahrkunst', a device once used to carry miners deep into the mountain. The small museum and demonstration give a vivid impression of how tough silver mining once was. Another highlight for children keen on mines.

A practical motorhome site in the highest-lying town in the Harz, quiet and with clear air. From here you set off the next day on the final leg of the loop. The town itself has a historic mining quarter worth a stroll.

This mediaeval hilltop castle towers above the Selke valley and is one of the best-preserved castles in the Harz. In the museum you'll find a knights' hall, castle kitchen and falconry displays that children love. The climb up to the castle is short and worthwhile.

The idyllic Selke valley, with its river and the narrow-gauge Selketalbahn, invites you to take a relaxed stroll. If you're lucky, you might spot another steam train of the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen passing by. A peaceful close to the natural highlights of the trip.

A lovely campsite by a woodland lake between Gernrode and Alexisbad, your last night on the loop. The lake offers swimming and a boat hire adds some variety. From here, the return journey to Hanover the next day is easy to plan.

Booking ahead is often cheaper here

One of the oldest and best-preserved Romanesque churches in Germany, with a history spanning over a thousand years. This short visit rounds off the castles-and-history theme of the trip nicely. After that, it's back towards home.

Return to the starting point of your Harz loop, bringing eight varied days full circle.

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