An adventurous circular walk featuring the Wilhelmsblick, Mausefalle, Hexentanzplatz and the Boderiver Canyon

This adventurous route is based on the Bodetal Tour. We walk through a very varied landscape, starting with a segment where we pass rock formations typical for this area (Felsen). Sometimes we can enjoy nice panoramas. Then we arrive at the Hexentanzplatz where it can be quite busy because the cable car also ends there. From this place we have beautiful views over the Bodetal Canyon and we can also have a bite to eat.

Hexentanzplatz
At 450 meters above sea level, you reach one of the most legendary mountain plateaus in the eastern Harz: the Hexentanzplatz. The myth of this cliff says that the witches of the Harz have always come together here on the last night of April - Walpurgis Night - to celebrate a spooky ritual. This is where the witches gather and then set out together for the Brocken, where they dance around the blazing witch fire and ask for the devil's hand.
From this mystical place, you have an impressive view of the Bodetal, which is surrounded by cliffs and is rightly nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the Harz Mountains". This 10 km long and up to 280 m deep rocky valley with its green thicket of trees and plants and its species-rich animal world is one of the most impressive hiking areas in the Harz. You also have a good view of the Rosstrappe opposite the Hexentanzplatz, an imposing granite rock 403 m above sea level.

From the Hexentanzplatz we walk on, first past the animal park (Tier Park Hexentanzplatz), and then through a nice, fairly flat forestall area where it gradually becomes quieter.
At a certain point we cross a somewhat more open area and we start to descend a bit (after about 5 km from the start). We enter the forest again and the road we follow gradually becomes less accessible. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀. 𝗜𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗼. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗞𝗮̈𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗵. 𝗔𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱. 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻!
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟲 𝗸𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝟭 𝗸𝗺, 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

Once past this we will follow the Boderiver downstream. Gradually towards the end we pass more and more impressive rock formations that will leave a deep impression on every hiker.

Get inspired by the Bodetal.
The Bodetal, nestled within the Harz Mountains of Germany, is a breathtaking natural wonder that captivates visitors with its awe-inspiring beauty and geological significance. This enchanting valley is characterized by its rugged cliffs, lush forests, meandering river, and a sense of tranquillity that seems to emanate from the surrounding landscape.
Carved over millennia by the relentless forces of the Bode River, the Bodetal showcases an intricate tapestry of rock formations, cascading waterfalls, and verdant foliage. Towering sandstone cliffs rise dramatically on either side of the valley, creating a striking contrast against the clear blue sky. These cliffs are adorned with a patchwork of mosses, ferns, and other resilient vegetation, adding to the area's charm.
One of the most iconic landmarks within the Bodetal is the Rosstrappe, a colossal rock formation that boasts both cultural and mythological significance. Legend has it that the imprint of a horseshoe can be seen on the Rosstrappe's surface, said to be the mark left by the giant Bodo's steed as it leaped across the valley. This tale is interwoven with the history and folklore of the region, adding an air of mystery and enchantment to the landscape.
Hiking trails wind their way through the Bodetal, inviting adventurers to explore its hidden corners and immerse themselves in its natural splendour. The Harzer Hexenstieg, a popular long-distance hiking route, also traverses this area, allowing trekkers to experience the Bodetal's allure as part of a larger journey through the Harz Mountains.
Throughout the year, the Bodetal undergoes a transformative journey as the seasons unfold. Spring breathes life into the valley, with wildflowers painting the landscape in vibrant hues. Summer invites outdoor enthusiasts to embrace its trails and witness the lushness of the surrounding foliage. Autumn graces the valley with a symphony of warm colours as leaves change, creating a picturesque scene. Even winter's embrace holds a unique charm, as frost and snow add a serene and almost otherworldly aura to the already captivating vista.
Whether it's the thrill of hiking, the inspiration found in its geological formations, or the simple joy of connecting with nature, the Bodetal in the Harz Mountains stands as a testament to the Earth's ability to shape and inspire, inviting all who visit to experience its timeless beauty and rejuvenating energy.

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