Oberharz Dog Sled Adventure
In the middle of northern Germany are the Harz Mountains, a stunning national park and one of the best places to experience a snowy winter wonderland. Each winter, teams of enthusiastic sled dogs and their drivers come to Clausthal-Zellerfeld to compete for the Harz Cup.
Meet these enthusiastic dogs
This weekend isn’t just about watching the race. If you're a fan of animals, you can meet some of the sled dogs and, with the owner's permission, pet them and tell them what fast dogs they are! The sled teams include numerous different dog breeds, including Siberian Huskies, Samoyeds and Alaskan Malamutes.
Watch the dog sled race
Once you've had your fill of doggy cuddles, it's time to settle down to watch the race and cheer on the winning team! Some top teams from the national dog sled teams from Germany and the Netherlands will be present at the race, but many ambitious amateurs also take part.
There will be several qualifying races, all of them taking place on a loop track. The top of the viewing area allows you to see quite a bit of the loop, so you can see the dogs going all out. On the Sunday, the Harz Cup will be awarded to the winning team.
Enjoy a warm drink and a little shopping
The viewing area has been extended to include stalls selling food and drinks. There's even opportunity for a spot of shopping! Because the event is entirely outdoors and the weather likely to be chilly, remember to wear sturdy boots and warm clothing.
If you’re interested in the sport, the teams are made up of amateurs and professionals, and there will be many members of local dog-sledding clubs on site to explain more about participating.
Alternative programme for bad weather
This year, if the winter conditions are not sufficient to lay the race track there will be an alternative programme so you can still enjoy a weekend filled with sled dogs! There will be a meet and greet with the sled dogs and their mushers where you can learn some interesting information about the dog sport. After this, there will be an adventure hike by torchlight, so make sure to take your hiking boots with just in case.
Attending the Oberharz Dog Sled Adventure
The race takes place in the town of Clausthal-Zellerfeld. If you're driving, parking is available in the Schützenplatz, from where a shuttle bus will take you to the race site. Trains run to the nearby station of Gittelde / Bad Grund (Harz) and from there, buses run to Clausthal-Zellerfeld.
Although it would be nice to bring your own pet to witness the racing, no dogs are allowed on site - it’s too distracting for those professional sled dogs! For more information on the dog sled race, visit the Schlittschuhhunde Adventure website.