Harz Mountains

[iainnic]

Anyone been to the HArz mountains or have details on routes etc ? I've a couple of leads for accomodation, but was interested in what people think of the area .

Iain

[phil w]

Not been down there for 20 years and was very nice if I remember, mind I was last there driving a Scorpion tank and patroling the borders of east and west in the cold war

[sean]

yes although not for many years, if you go - stop in Celle on route, its a stunning place, also the roads in the harz are superb for bikes. there used to be the longest dry toboggan run in europe in the harz which used to be absolutely nuts.

[Immortal P]

I have a couple of routes around that area.... since I live about 1,5h away.
Give me a couple of days to put something together since I will be quite busy tomorrow and wednesday.
If you give me the approximate route on how you plan to get there, I might be able to give you some advice on that as well.

[Mervinh]

there is an english guy on classic bike forum that lives in the harz mountains will se if i can get his email for ya
merv

[Immortal P]

ok... here comes part 1 ... ok it actually refers to part two of my first post.

You have to get there somehow. There exists map material for something called motorcycle route Germany. I rode major parts of the south route last september.

Link

If you click on the Nordroute it will give you a map of the overall trip around the north. If any of that route is somewhere close to the route you planned to take, send me a PM and I will scan the respective areas in the detailed maps for you.

Overall those routes from the MSD are quite nice. But just some advice. If you plan to drive that for a whole day... we made the mistake of planning 450kms per day. After three days we were really exhausted. The route is going sometimes going over the tiniest, curviest roads there are. So you should take your time.
But it is absolutely recommendable to spice up your route with parts of the MSD.

As for part 1 of my original post... later. Dont have that stuff at work.

[Kjell Lindberg]

Originally Posted by phil w

Not been down there for 20 years and was very nice if I remember, mind I was last there driving a Scorpion tank and patroling the borders of east and west in the cold war

Ahhh the Scorpion, the Hot-Rod of all tanks

[Rick of Pendle]

Iain,
I was in the Harz area last September doing abit of touring on the bike.
Me and my mate had planned visiting the region for a couple of years and we did it on our route to Poland.
Unfortunately the weather during the whole time was wet and misty. We therefore didnt stay in the area but passed through it from the NW to SE. The roads we travelled on were forrested, bendy with a good road surface. I would be guessing on the views.
Overall I would visit the area again, but in better weather.
I was told the following Hotel and surrounding area was pretty good.
http://biker-hotel-harz.de/

Rick

[Immortal P]

one thing you shouldnt miss (but might be crowded there... )

Kyffhäuser

directly south of the Harz

General warning though about Harz..... if you take over... be very careful! There are sometimes slow cars and trucks going through which encourage other cars to take over and wouldnt be the first biker to get shot off. In 2008 two bikers from another board got killed two weeks apart. And thats only the two I directly knew. Accidents are common.
I had my very first three day trip there with an "experienced" driver in front. He rides about 20tkms per year. Well... I dont drive with him anymore, since he got us more than once in a situation where he endangered his and my life. He did the same taking over **** the other two did and it was just about half a meter between life and death. And in his case it was definetely his stupidity.
And it is used as a race track by many bikers. If you are going 120kmph at a 100kmph allowed you are too slow.. so check not only the front when taking over but the back as well. Maybe the next Rossi is right behind you. last time I have been there, speed was well over 140 at times in my group... thats why I left after about 40kms cause my skills just werent enough at that time and actually it is not the kinda driving I enjoy.
Anyhow... just be careful, bikes arent the only fast ones around there enjoying the streets.

P.S. will do the map scanning on the weekend as promised.

[OBE]

Do not miss the twisties at Kelbra_Kyffhauser, 47 hairpins and twisties up and the same down. Views at the top are brill and so is the restaurant. If I can find the rest of the details hotel route etc I'll pass on. I went 2008 and 09.