The Große Bode ('Great Bode') is the left-hand headstream of the Warme Bode and is about long. Its source is at the foot of the highest mountain in the Harz, the Brocken, in the southern part of the so-called Brockenfeld on the border of Saxony-Anhalt. Immediately nearby are the sources of the Kalte Bode, the Ecker and the Oder. The Große Bode flows mainly southwards, on the western slopes of the Wurmberg towards Braunlage. Its course is characterised by little waterfalls and steps (Fallstufen) including the Oberer Bodefall. In front of Braunlage it is united with the Kleine Bode ('Little Bode') to form the Warme Bode.