Harz Border Trail (Harzer Grenzweg)

Overview
Point-to-point trail following the former inner-German border—the “Green Belt”—across the Harz mountains. Approx. ≈91 km with ~1,800–2,100 m of ascent depending on the exact line/side trips. Marked throughout; highest point is the Brocken (1,141 m). Surface is a mix of forest singletrack, gravel, meadow paths, and long stretches of the historic concrete patrol road

What makes this route special?

Start at the Hermit parking and proceed up the trail to Hermit Meadows. Continue up the West Ridge of Mt. Rogers and traverse the ridge over Grant, Fleming, Swiss, Truda, and Hermit. The ridge offers some phenomenal climbing on solid quartzite, mostly at 3rd and 4th class with some short sections of low 5th. Descend the Southeast Ridge of Hermit Mountain and make your way across the Tupper and Swiss glaciers to the Hermit trail. Descend the Hermit trail back to the parking.

This route follows a point-to-point journey from Sydney’s Observatory Hill Park to Newcastle’s Empire Park, covering approximately 170 km.

The course leaves Sydney by crossing the Harbour Bridge, then follows a mix of road, cycle path, and coastal routes through the Central Coast region, passing areas such as Gosford, Wyong, and Lake Macquarie, before finishing in Newcastle.