Climbing in the Western Harz is first and foremost pure granite. Rough but hearty is the motto. But it is especially climbing in nature. Deep forests, surprisingly imaginative rock formations and romantic mountain streams make the Harz one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in Germany. In addition to fully equipped routes with bolts, there are also many mixed routes where you can belay yourself. Some of the best crack climbing in northern Germany can be found here! The focus is on easy and medium-difficulty routes.The Oker Valley is particularly attractive for vertical climbers who prefer easy and moderately difficult routes, which is why we have extended our previous three-stage route colour categorisation (grey = difficult, red = medium, blue = easy) specifically for this purpose. The new categorisation is: very easy (UIAA 1-3) = green, normal easy (UIAA 4-6) = blue.This new edition of 2025 includes a whole series of completed projects, a few additional topos and new photos throughout the book.The guide Harz Rocks 1 is part of the complete Harz Rocks publication, which consists of Harz Rocks 1 on the one hand and Harz Rocks 2 on the other. In the second book all other rocks of the Harz are presented, e.g. the rocks of the Hochharz around Schierke, Eckertal, Steinbachtal, the sandstone rocks of the northern Harz foreland and also the limestone rocks of the southern Harz and the difficult sport climbing routes of the Krokstein.Perfect photo topos, precise access and ascent maps + detailed descriptions, route information, star ratings, tips for protection.288 pagesLanguage German / partly EnglishEdition 2025A. HackeGeoquest Publishing House

In HARZ ROCKS 2 all climbing areas of the Harz and Harz foothills are described in detail.The Oker Valley is left out, since this part of the Harz was already covered in HARZ ROCKS 1.HARZ ROCKS 2 now presents the areas from the Bodenstein Cliffs in the northwest, over the Steinbach Valley in the east to the rocks in the southern Harz.The Harz thereby offers an unbelievably large rock variety: sandstone, limestone and above all: granite!The subareas:- Bodensteiner Klippen (including the rocks recently opened for climbing)- Northern Harz (rocks near Bad Harzburg)- Oberharz (rocks near Schierke)- Rübeland (limestone, marble and melaphyre)- Harz foothills (soft sandy rocks and quartzitic hardened rocks along the Teufelsmauer)- Steinbachtal (the granite area has incredible new routes!)- Ilfelder area (quiet and remote rocks)- South Harz (among others ruin Scharzfels and Römerstein)- Westharz (rocks near Clausthal-Zellerfeld)- included: ice climbing guide!In addition to easy-to-read, color photo topos, the climbing guide includes many overview and detailed maps, QR codes / GPS coordinates for parking and location of the rocks, as well as many climbing and atmospheric pictures.384 pagesLanguage GermanEdition 2022A. HakeGeoquest Publishing House

HarzBlock 3.0 covers the bouldering areas in and around the Harz Mountains across 624 pages. 2,900 bouldering problems are described in detail with photo maps (greyscale), pictograms, information on first ascents and comments. In addition to the main Okertal area, other granite areas in the northern and eastern Harz are listed, as well as the sandstone areas in the northern Harz foothills (see Areas). The approach to the areas is described in detail with maps and written directions. The location of the boulders is marked on the maps, and QR codes with the position are also provided for each boulder. This combination should make it possible to find every boulder.Numerous bouldering photos, all in colour, will hopefully whet your appetite and motivate you. The guide also contains a detailed information section on areas, rules, accommodation options, history, and tips for meals and rest days. For collectors, there is also a tick list for all problems >= fb 7a. The information section is provided in both German and English, so that visitors from abroad should also find their way around more easily.The bouldering guide comes with the vertical-life app.Areas covered:HarzBlock 3.0 describes the bouldering areas in and around the northern Harz. These include the granite areas in the Oke Valley, near Bad Harzburg, and the growing number of developed boulders in the eastern Harz (Hohnstein Cliffs, Wernigerode and Schierke). It also includes the (limestone) sandstone areas near Langenstein, Westerhausen, Blankenburg and Bodenstein. OkertalThe largest of the areas described and the heart of bouldering in the Harz. The countless boulders of rough granite offer excellent opportunities for short vertical routes. Consequently, a large number of new problems and areas have been developed over the last two decades, allowing the Okertal to grow into one of Germany’s largest bouldering areas.Bad HarzburgHere you will find another granite area similar to the Okertal, as well as the Wolfstein, a small limestone cliff offering ideal and steep bouldering opportunities right on the outskirts of the town.Eastern HarzFurther large granite areas with short (Schierke) and long (Hohnstein cliffs, Wernigerode) approaches. New to this guide are the areas north of Schierke and near the Steinernen Renne in Wernigerode. Also included is an exotic but beautiful bouldering area near Elbingerode (Susenburg). There are a good 100 boulders here on blocks of greywacke.Langenstein, Westerhausen, Blankenburg, BodensteinSmaller but excellent sandstone areas, where the boulders and rock quality are, for the most part, on a par with Fontainebleau. Short approaches and gentle landing areas make them perfect (family-friendly) bouldering spots. 624 pagesGerman / EnglishEdition 2026 with vertical life appH. ApelAutoedition