Josephskreuz Observation Tower – Bergstüb'l Josephskreuz (Josephskreuz Mountain Inn) loop from Großer Auerberg

Hiking trails & Routes

Harz Mountains

Mansfeld-Südharz

Südharz

Josephskreuz Observation Tower – Bergstüb'l Josephskreuz (Josephskreuz Mountain Inn) loop from Großer Auerberg

Easy

4.5

(58)

248

hikers

Josephskreuz Observation Tower – Bergstüb'l Josephskreuz (Josephskreuz Mountain Inn) loop from Großer Auerberg

00:46

2.47km

90m

Hiking

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: October 1, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Biosphärenreservat Karstlandschaft Südharz

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

92 m

Historic Signpost at Auerberg Parking Lot

Highlight • Monument

Beautiful old signpost was created in the parking lot opposite the forester's house Auerberg was probably built in connection with the construction of the Joseph Cross in 1896.

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182 m

Auerberg Trailhead Parking

Highlight • Parking

There is a spacious and above all free hiking car park here, which is the starting point for the ascent to Josephshöhe with the Josephskreuz.

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197 m

Steep Ascent to Josephshöhe

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The climb is rewarded with a beautiful view of the Joseph Cross.

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1.22 km

Josephskreuz Observation Tower

Highlight • Monument

Wonderful view of the Harz. The HWN stamping point is also located here.

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1.27 km

Bergstüb'l Josephskreuz (Josephskreuz Mountain Inn)

Highlight • Restaurant

Nice family-run restaurant for in-between refreshments. Located right next to the Josephskreuz. Don't forget to stamp for the HWN!

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1.34 km

Josephskreuz on the Great Auerberg

Highlight • Monument

The Joseph Cross is a must in the south-eastern Harz. It stands on Josephshöhe and is, so to speak, a piece of Paris in the Harz Mountains. The Joseph Cross is the largest iron double cross in the world, which was built based on the model of the Eiffel Tower in 1896. The 38 meter high steel framework is held together by around 100,000 rivets and weighs 125 tons. You can climb the observation tower for a fee.

The best way to get there is a short hike from the Auerberg car park. If you want to do a longer hike, it is best to start from Stolberg.

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1.57 km

Rest stop at Auerberg

Highlight • Rest Area

Rest area with bench and table at the Auerberg. Those who have made the steep ascent can take a break here.

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2.47 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

1.40 km

821 m

127 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

1.99 km

175 m

142 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Thursday 8 October

10°C

5°C

97 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 26.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

March 13, 2025,Wanderung zum Josephskreuz 😚

Finally, and for consolation, the Joseph's Cross, that was Thomas's idea 🌝😘

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May 2, 2026,Josephskreuz HWN 215

From the parking lot at Forsthaus Auerberg, our 5th tour of today's stamp hunt began. Right at the beginning, the path led us uphill through a short, quite steep forest section. Once at the top, the view of the imposing Josephskreuz finally opened up. For a moment, we just stood there and marveled at this impressive structure. Of course, the …

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