Dinner is served. But before we can tuck into the delicious buffet, the tour guides present the driving highlights for the next day. Axel, assisted by Achim, has once again put together a fine route and selected some beautiful places to stop.

We set off in two groups. No sooner have we shifted into second gear than the Kyffhäuser greets us from afar with its imposing monument. This small low mountain range is practically our local mountain, less than twenty kilometres away, and is a must-see. The 36 bends up to Kelbra and the monument are simply too beautiful – so beautiful that rumble strips have been embedded in the road to slow down speeders. Nevertheless, they remain great bends, and we will encounter several more of them during the course of the day.

From the car park in front of the castle courtyard, you have a good view of the 81-metre-high Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial. However, if you want to admire the entire ensemble, including the equestrian statue and Barbarossa figure, you have to make your way there on foot. Today, Axel's information is enough for us. He knows the whole story and always has something interesting to say at each stop.

Back in Kelbra, we set off on the Grand Harz Tour. Braunlage, Sankt Andreasberg, the Sösetalsperre dam, the Rappbodetalsperre dam and the Josephskreuz cross are the most striking points of interest. Of course, a detour to Torfhaus with a view of the Brocken, the highest mountain in the Harz, also known as the legendary Blocksberg, is a must. Or to the railway station in Drei Annen Hohne, where the Harz narrow-gauge railway is just pulling out.

The frequent snack bars are striking and pleasant. Some are small, some are large; sometimes it's just a snack van, sometimes a simple restaurant with a spacious outdoor area. There you can easily get what you need – ideal for anyone who needs to quickly ‘refuel’.

We take our first break at ‘Imbiss Netzkater’, which is also a popular meeting place for motorcyclists. Later, everyone gathers for lunch at ‘Imbiss zur Rast’ near Altenau. Although there is only one waitress, everything runs very quickly, including the payment. We are delighted.

What is strange, however, is the tree dieback in the north-western part of the Harz Mountains. It is an unreal sight to see bare, light grey tree trunks towering into the sky across vast areas. Three years ago, however, it looked even worse. A young mixed forest is now developing, and that takes time. So there is no reason for apocalyptic moods.

Especially not with such a nice group, well-chosen routes and the amenities at the hotel. We should really add another day or two ...

The participants
Achim K.: H.-D. Street Glide • Achim W.: Honda NC 750 X • Achim*: BMW S 1000 XR • Axel*: Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer • Detlef B.: Honda XL 750 Transalp • Detlef F.: Honda CRF 1100 L AT • Detlef W.: Aprilia Caponord 1200 Rallye • Frank Sp.: Honda CRF 1100 L AT • Frank St.: Triumph Tiger 900 • Gerd: BMW R 1250 GS • Horst and Astrid: BMW R 1250 GS • Jörg: BMW R 1200 GS • Kai: BMW R 1250 GS • Manfred: BMW R 1200 GS • Michael S.: Triumph Tiger 1200 Explorer • Michael W.: Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 • Rolf: Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer • Toni: Honda CB 650 R • Werner: BMW R 12
* Tour guide
to the hotel