Achtermannshöhe, Mountain summit in Harz Mountains, Germany

Achtermannshöhe is a mountain summit in the Harz range in Lower Saxony, Germany, rising to 925 meters above sea level. The top is rounded and dotted with loose boulders that stand above the surrounding tree line.

The lower part of the mountain is built from granite connected to the Brocken massif, while the upper section is made of hornfels, a rock formed when Grauwacke was transformed by heat over a long time. This contrast in rock types reflects the long and layered geological story of the Harz.

The summit is checkpoint 12 in the Harzer Wandernadel network, a stamp passport system that guides hikers to set points across the Harz. Collecting the stamp here is a small ritual that many hikers look forward to on longer routes.

The summit is reachable from Oderbrück and Königskrug via clearly marked trails, with loop options available for those who want to vary their route. Weather on the ridge can change fast, so sturdy shoes and a waterproof layer are a good idea.

Until the end of the 20th century, the famous Kamelfichte ("camel spruce") stood right beside the trail to the summit; a sign now recalls the tree. The summit's bare hornfels cap, about 10 m thick, formed from Grauwacke heated by intruding granite magma, and it rises above the treeline so the rounded Kuppe can be picked out from many points in the Harz.