The gravel road keeps getting steeper as I navigate the corner on my old 7-speed mountain bike. My heart is racing and I’m already out of breath just 15 minutes in. What was supposed to be one of the easiest routes is making me doubt my fitness level. After another five minutes, we reach a fork in the forest with no signs to guide us on which path to take. We quickly realize we’ve missed a turn earlier on.
A two-minute downhill sprint connects us back to the correct trail, allowing us to finally focus on the breathtaking nature and stunning views around us. Riding through dark fir forests and past green mountain lakes, we explore the different mountain bike routes that stretch across 1,800 km (1,118 miles) of gravel, dirt, and asphalt roads in the Harz region.
The Harz, the highest mountain range in northern Germany, spans 2,226 km² (859 sq. miles) and offers a natural playground for bikers, hikers, and mountain bikers from all over Europe. Centrally located in Germany, it’s just a four-hour drive from most parts of the country. While the Mosel River region is also popular among hikers and mountain bikers, the Harz provides a variety of trails and experiences in a more concentrated area.
As we finish our 35 km (22 miles) bike ride, a light drizzle begins. We pack up the bikes and hydrate in the car. Back at our hotel, the charming former convent of Wöltingerode, we eagerly change out of our wet and dirty clothes, take a hot shower, and dress for a relaxing stroll through the streets of Goslar.
Walking along the cobblestoned streets of the UNESCO World Heritage site in Goslar, the sun reemerges, making the weather pleasantly warm. It’s the perfect time to sit in a cozy café, admiring the medieval Marktkirche and the beautiful surroundings.
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