Teenagers and the Devil's Wall: Henry's adventures in the Harz Mountains!

Teenagers and the Devil's Wall: Henry's adventures in the Harz Mountains!

Hiking with children or young people can often be a challenge. Today, September 9, 2025, 13-year-old Henry is writing the story of many young hikers who would rather spend time with their smartphones than go hiking through nature with their families. Henry initially had little desire to go hiking in the Harz Mountains with his grandparents and great-aunt and expressed his resistance with a “recumbent strike”. But a promised surprise from his grandmother ensured that he finally made his way to Blankenburg for breakfast and departure. The mood improved during the journey when Henry saw the first rocks - and then it really started!

The Teufelsmauer, an impressive hiking area in the Harz Nature Park, stretches for around 20 kilometers from Blankenburg to Ballenstedt. There is something for everyone here: well-signposted hiking trails that are suitable for both leisurely walks and sporty climbers. The sandstone rock formation is not only a visual highlight, but also full of stories and legends about its creation, including the exciting competition between God and the Devil. When you set foot here, you quickly feel like you've been transported to another world, and Henry was full of curiosity.

Adventure at the Devil's Wall

After they took their first steps, Henry experienced a true transformation: from a disinterested teenager, he became a curious climber. With the support of his grandfather, he explored the various rocks, including Grandfather Rock, from where there is a wonderful view of the city and the castle. The climb was safe thanks to a sturdy railing, but it didn't stop Henry from climbing without much hesitation.

The Teufelsmauer is not only a beautiful place for hikers, but also scores points with its huge variety of areas and the correspondingly secured but also challenging ridge paths. There are many sections that offer exciting adventures, especially for sure-footed children and young people. This means you can not only enjoy the landscape, but also train your body control at the same time.

A day full of experiences

After the challenge, Henry quickly climbed to the Hamburg Coat of Arms, a striking sandstone formation. Once at the top, a fantastic view opens up, and as we shared a picnic at the foot of the coat of arms, all seemed right with the world for Henry. Quite surprisingly, he realized in the evening that he didn't miss his smartphone all day and said that the day was just great. If that doesn't mean a successful family hike!

The restaurants in the area also have a lot to offer, such as the “Grandfather” excursion restaurant, which serves Italian delicacies and delicious fries. By the way, Blankenburg is also very easy to reach by train, for example from Berlin in three and a half hours or from Hanover in just two and a half hours. If you prefer to drive, you will find free parking on the A36 motorway between Braunschweig and Bernburg/Saale.

Family vacation in the Harz

The Harz has much more to offer than just the Devil's Wall: a hiking network over 8,000 kilometers long is waiting to be discovered. There are numerous themed hiking trails that offer families exciting hands-on stations, such as the forest memory or exploring the treetop path. These offers motivate children and young people to actively participate in play and nature. The Harz National Park also has many other educational experiences, such as ranger tours or taking part in lynx feeding - there is something for everyone.

So it's clear: If you as a family want to spend an active day in nature, the Harz with its diverse possibilities is the perfect destination. And who knows, maybe the next “reclining strike” will be transformed into an enthusiastic experience of nature?

For more information about the Devil's Wall and its surroundings, take a look at the following pages: World, Natural places and Resin info.