
Fast ridge road straddling the spine of the Harz mountains.
The B242, known as the Harzhochstraße, runs east-west along the high ridge of the Harz, Germany’s northernmost mountains, from Seesen past Clausthal-Zellerfeld and Braunlage toward Hasselfelde. Wide, well-surfaced and reaching about 820 m at the Stieglitzecke, it flows through dense spruce forest with glimpses toward the Brocken. Wildlife, sudden fog and winter snow and ice are real risks, and stretches are signed as motor roads with their own speed rules.
Harzhochstraße on the map42.1 mi · point to point
SeesenStart · Lower Saxony
Oberharz am BrockenEnd · Lower Saxony
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Character
Corners55bends
Tightness4of 10
Max gradient9%≈ 1-in-11
Climb1,031 mtotal ascent
Summit827 mhighest point of the line · 2,713 ft
Corners
busiest around mile 12Elevation
under 4%4 to 8%over 8%197 to 827 mFrom the road
Points of interest3 stops
- HübichensteinViewpoint7.1 mi in
- StieglitzeckeViewpoint21 mi in
- Die KlippeViewpoint36 mi in
Hazards
- Deer and wildlife on forested sections
- Sudden hill fog and winter snow/ice
- Long stretches with enforced speed limits
Sources
“it basically turns into a high-speed course with plenty of pretty high-speed, but still safe action”
Route traced from OpenStreetMap, with its stats measured from that line. How the roads are mapped
Driving the Harzhochstraße: quick answers
How long does it take to drive the Harzhochstraße?
Harzhochstraße runs 42.1 miles (68 km) and takes about 1 h 20 min to drive without stops.
How difficult is the Harzhochstraße to drive?
We rate it moderate: 55 corners, a maximum gradient of 9%, and a tightness of 4 out of 10.
When is the best time to drive the Harzhochstraße?
Spring and Summer and Autumn are best.
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Harzhochstraße.
Harzhochstraße
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