Torfhaus and Drei Annen Hohne are among those places able to provide you with information. Now its a listedUNESCO-World Heritage sitein the Harz National Park where the previously planted spruce forest is turning intowild naturecomplete with dead wood and lots of biodiversity. Its also impossible to miss the100+ water reservoirs(although many of them actually are hidden a bit off the beaten track). We used Goslar as a basefor our adventures in the Harz Mountains. Whilestayinginthe mountainswould surely be lovely if you intend to mostly hike, we think acity locationwill fit most travellers best. With a bit of luck theres some wind making it an even more exciting experience. Please try again. Thank you for subscribing to my weekly hiking newsletter. Even if you are not doing any of the activities they offer, its still worth to see the views over the Rappbodetalsperre and surrounding mountains. The region stretches for approximately 100 kilometres from west to east and 32 kilometres from north to south. The most famous celebrations are the ones held in Schierke, the last stop on the Brocken train before the summit, and in Thale with the legendary Witches Dance Floor. Every single street in the old city is unique with more than1,500 timber-framed housesin total each more crooked and charming than the next lining the cobblestone streets. You dont have to only like mountain climbing to visit the Harz Mountains. The tree line is located at some 1.100 meters, meaning that the top of Brocken is just above the tree line. Most people will still be having breakfast in their hotel during that time of the day. This is a question Im often being asked by people who I tell about the Harz Mountains. From the German-Dutch border its about a 4 hour drive. Heres our list of things to see and do in this spectacular part of the world. The zipline is about a kilometer long and the flight takes about a minute. One of the best preserved towns in the world, the former Imperial city of Goslar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many hikes are dog-friendly(and some are even stroller-friendly! Alternatively, if you want to enjoy some time outdoors, take a stroll through the beautiful gardens of the Drubeck Monastery, once a nunnery. This time of the year is called Advent in den Hfen and is organized annually. I also climbed Brocken back then and during this visit, I climbed it again, from another trail this time. Not a hiker? There are various ways to climb Brocken, this time I chose to hike up from Schierke. Goslar was the base of our adventuresfor most of our visit, but we also spent a night in lovely Quedlinburg to experience the eastern part of the Harz. Wandering through its picturesque alleys, visitors can gaze at the examples of traditional architecture; a spectacular town hall with a timber facade, the crooked house with a tilted foundation, and the citys smallest house, which is only three metres wide and just over four metres tall. In the towns and near attractions, you may have to pay a small fee if you park centrally. With more than2,000 timber-framed houses, some dating back hundreds and hundreds of years, theres an almost endless array of cute atmospheric cobblestone streets, perfect for slow strolls (and a soon-to-be-filled photo library). Goslar is your best bet with Quedlinburg a close second. Morning visit to Titan RT and optional the Mega Zipline, afternoon departure. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". Or for those who are rather looking for mellow (mostly) ice-free hikes inbeautifully forested and hilly landscapesfull of myths and tales. The Harz Mountains havecaptured the imaginationsof poets, writers and artists alike for centuries, and we can easily understand why. Hotel Alte Mnzeis quieter and has more of a boutique feel to it. What do you think about the northernmost mountains in Germany and all of the lovely historic towns? Want to stay in cute Quedlinburg? Timber framing houses Quedlinburg old town, Germany, Wernigerode Castle in the Harz mountains, Germany, Mines of Rammelsberg, Goslar, Harz, Germany, Aerial view of the Brocken mountain, Germany, Harz Narrow Gauge Steam Train in clouds of smoke in the Harz, Germany, Hiking to the top of the mountain, Brocken, Germany, Monument of Martin Luther in the Town Square of Eisleben, Germany. I took this departure and it was pretty quiet, however on the return journey during the early afternoon the train was loaded. The458-metre long suspension bridgeTitan RT runs parallel to the dam and its open for pedestrians. I stayed at Hotel Am Anger in Wernigerode: a charming 3.5 star hotel located right in the heart of the city. Time enough to actually enjoy it. Another suggestion is to walk around the old town with a local guide who can tell you all about Quedlinburgs history. The old town center is the perfect place to stroll around for a couple of hours. free and inspiring we12travel day hike packing list, Best places to visit in the Harz Mountains, Culture: the prettiest places in the Harz Mountains, Nature in the Harz Mountains and Harz National Park, A ride with the Brockenbahn the famous Harz railway, Aventure in the Harz at the Harzdrenalin Center, More things to do in the Harz National Park, Harzer Schnitzelstubchen in Hotel Alte Brennerei, Titan RT the longest swingbridge in Germany, Geierlay Bridge: a must-do in the German Hunsrck, Micro adventure in Germany: 5 adventurous things to do, Mega Zipline in the Harz Mountains: must-do for adventurers. Eighteen years later, the Upper Harz Water Management System was added to the UNESCO ensemble, stretching it across an area of over 200 square kilometres. })(document, 'script', '//aff.bstatic.com/static/affiliate_base/js/flexiproduct.js'); 4-starred Hotel Alte Mnze has theperfect locationin Goslar right next to the central Market Square. Ive been inspiring readers from all across the globe since 2011 and am the leading Dutch outdoor and hiking blog ever since. Otherworldly activities supposedly peak on April 30 during the Walpurgisnacht (May Days eve) celebrations. The Harz Mountains are connected to the Germanautobahnmeaning you can go here by car from all of Europe in a whizz. Visit one of the most valuable and comprehensive collection of church treasures outside the Vatican, housed in the Halberstadt Cathedral of St Stephen and St Sixtus. A good lunch can be eaten at the mountain hut on Hexentanzplatz or any of the other restaurants around it. In fact, its better if you like toy towns with fairytale castles, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, fortresses and monasteries from the Middle ages or seeing wild animals in their natural habitat. The Harz National Park occupies 247 square kilometres, 95% of which is spruce and beech forest. On We12travel you will find everything you want to know about outdoor travelling, nature and hiking. Choose between the Harzer Hexenstieg (100 km), the Harzer Baudensteig (100 km), the Harzer Grenzweg (100 km), the Karstwanderweg Suedharz (200 km), the Selketal-Stieg (72 km), the Harz Monastery Trail (64 km), the Harzer Foersterstieg (60 km) and the Teufelsmauer Stieg (35 km) To name just a few. A must-do in Quedlinburg is visiting theSchlossberg(Castle Mountain). Since its closure, the site has transformed into a monument celebrating manual labourers and mans ingenuity, offering tours above and below ground. TheHarzer Hexenstiegis a popular trail running all the way through the Harz Mountains from Osterode in the west to Thale in the east for about100 kilometres notably taking you overBrocken, the highest peak of the Harz. We love exploring majestic landscapes, chilling out on secluded beaches and eating local foods usually on a budget. On another visit, it would be lovely to walk the full length of the Teufelsmauer! This option is about 6 km long and gains about 500 meters in altitude. For the best autumn foliage, it might make sense to visit a little bit earlier. You can also collect stamps at the222 checkpoints of the Harzer Wandernadel, located all over the Harz Mountains, to record your visit. My name is Antonette. Alex also dreams of mountain biking here. From the mountain station youll have stunning panoramas of the Bodetal, a 10 kilometer deep valley between Thale and Treseburg. Alternatively, enjoy a scenic train journey. Quedlinburg is a medieval city located in the foothills of the northern Harz area. Its one of the most scenic railways in Germany. For the most romantic stay, look no further than the 4-starred Hotel am Brhl. Once an administrative outpost of the Holy Roman Empire and a thriving mining economy, the town now houses some of the most beautiful public buildings in Germany. Visit to Quedlinburg and Thale Bergbahnen This way, you wont be constrained by food options and youll still be very close to nature. Located inside the Harz National Park, nature here is protected and wild. On our visit, we got to go into the mine itself andfollow in the footsteps of the miners in the narrow galleries. When granted the UNESCO status along with the Old Town of Goslar in 1992, the Rammelsberg Mine became Germanys first UNESCO World Heritage Site of technology. Lovers of cultural sights can easily spend a full day in Quedlinburg or Wernigerode, whereas hikers will need more time in the mountains. Fans of cross-country skiing can experience the beauty of the winter landscape, making use of 500 kilometres of trails. At the Rappbode Dam, ride the Mega Zipline, which reaches a speed of up to 55 miles per hour. A ticket costs 39 and a car will take you back to the starting point. The Brockenbahn has several departures each day but also has a summer and winter schedule. Given its remote geographical location and relative isolation, masses of spooky, dark forest mean that local folklore in the area is all about witches, warlocks, fire, brimstone. The highest peak is Brocken, measuring 1.142 meters above sea level. Its advised to book ahead or be at the ticket office in time as its a popular attraction and can be very busy. These ge, Sometimes all you need is sand under your toes and, Calling all wild beach lovers Go to La, Ad: Quiet mornings at Cote DOr Beach Few t, Ad: Paradise found! The Harz Mountains are aprime hiking spotwith more than9,000 kilometres of marked trailscrisscrossing hills, towns, rivers, forests, valleys and meadows. Explore unspoilt forests, deep valleys and lush meadows by choosing from over 9,000 kilometres of hiking trails, many of which have inspired poets in the past. The Brockenbahn is a 19 kilometer narrow gauge railway between Wernigerode and Brocken, the highest mountain in the Harz. Or you can accompany one of the Harz National Park rangers to watch the magnificent stags fight each other during rutting season. We didnt use any public transport ourselves in the Harz Mountains, but it shoulddefinitely be possibleto go almost wherever you like with a combination of local trains and busses. Quedlinburg is the most romantic town of the Harz with its perfectly preserved historic city centre. Springis a beautiful time to visit with warming weather, rushing water and blooming flowers. In the forest itself, keep an eye out for red deer, roe deer and wild boar as well as lynxes, which, although hard to spot, have recently been re-introduced to the area. From here I continued my walk on towards Agnesberg and from the Erfgrabenweg I passed many great see-throughs, offering me views of Brocken in the distance. In order to access Titan RT youll need to buy a ticket for 6 and additionally theres a 3 euro parking fee for the area. In the fall of 2018 I was invited by the Dutch branch of the German tourism board to visit this region. I have to say that the number of tourists here was quite low and not nearly as high as in other historical towns in Germany. The service at the reception was also top-notch. To run a mine, you need energy. s.type = 'text/javascript'; Learn more about us here. The road network in the Harz is well-developed and itsfast to go pretty much anywherein the region. Im a world traveller, writer and lover of being outdoors. Previously I already wrote this blog about how I lost my heart to the Harz and about hiking a section of the Harzer Hexenstieg. Check prices and availability at Hotel Der Achtermann. In this blog youll find some affiliate links. Arrival in Wernigerode, afternoon walk in the city center and to the castle If not, scroll back up and have a look at how I cross the Rappbodetalsperre with the 1 kilometer long Mega Zipline. You can mix spending time in the charming towns with exploring the forested paths through the misty rolling hills and mountains or you can simply focus on one or the other. We cant find a country that matches your search. Good food can be found at Harzer Schnitzelstubchen in Hotel Alte Brennerei and a perfect Kaffee mit Kuchen was made for me at Louisen Cafe. As we arrived here after the sun had set on our first day in the Harz, we felttransported back in timeon the cobbled streets (almost like we were in an old film!). More about this swingbridge can be found in this blog about Titan RT. Goslar is just big enough tohave what you needin terms of supermarkets, restaurants and the like while still retaining thatsmalltown charmthat makes you lower your shoulders a bit and commit to a slower pace of life. Imagining the lives of the miners spending all day inside the damp, dark environments with no electricity Even when theydidwear headlamps during the last years, it was still a gruelling job. Summeris naturally the warmest season. I spent an afternoon here and hiked up to the Wernigerode Castle, towering out above the city. From here you can walk right into the mountains. A visit to the Harzdrenalin Centrum is a nice add on to your visit to the Harz Mountains. s.src = u + '?v=' + (+new Date()); We parked our carnear Thale and walked to the Mittelstein and Knigsstein using the parking called Parkplatz Teufelsmauer on Google Maps located on Quedlinburger Str. If youre from a century without electrical switches and gas stations, usingrunning wateras your source of energy isalmostjust as good as the modern alternatives. From gigantic swings to endless kilometres of hair-raising mountain bike routes; the region has got you covered. s.async = true; I overnighted in the central located Hotel Am Anger from where I could stroll directly into the heart of the city. The Rammelsberg Mine (described below) is located just a few kilometres south of town, having made Goslar famous and wealthy. As we alluded to in the introduction above, we think that the Harz Mountains are a very suitable holiday option for many types of travellers. We only stayed here for a single nightbut loved the atmosphere and design from the first moment we set foot in the hotel. Thats what the Upper Harz Water Management System is all about. Come Christmastime, the town is replete with festivities and twinkling lights. Before closing in 1988, the Rammelsberg Mine had more than1,100 years of consecutive mining history and archaeological finds date mining activity here a mind-blowingly 3,000 years back in time! If youve been to the Harz, it would be awesome to hear what you think we missed. Please share your best tips and tricks in the comments thank you! The hotel is designed in a charming style and we loved our stay. Its quite a steep walk up but you will be rewarded with amazing views into the distance once you are up. The Harz is situated directly in the middle of Germanywith easy autobahn access from several big cities, but its far away enough to make its visitors feel completely at ease and give that special far-away-from-urban-life atmosphere that city-dwellers often so desperately need. We stayed at two different hotels in Goslar: Romantik Hotel Alte Mnze and Hotel Der Achtermann. This masterpiece of Romanesque architecture is home to some of the most valuable trinkets of the Middle Ages. Times can be found here. Train enthusiasts can enjoy the thrill of riding a unique steam engine, while also taking the opportunity to snap some stunning photographs, as the train circles the mountain one and a half times before stopping at the top almost 50 minutes later. I decided to get off in Schierke and from here walk up to my final destination: the top of Brocken. As an added bonus, the restaurant at Hotel Alte Mnze serves vegan meals. Your email address will not be published. Here nature is left to its own devices, creating refuges for wild plants and animals. Along the way there are stops in Drei Annen Hohne and Schierke. Check prices and availability at Romantik Hotel am Brhl. Being the largest hotel in town, its only fitting that they also have ahuge spa areacomplete with an adventure swimming pool, a hot tub and several saunas just what we needed after a long day out exploring the Harz! Just before arriving at Brocken you will walk along the paved road with all the other visitors, making it an easy end of the hike. Martin Lutherwas the seminal figure of theProtestant Reformationin the 16th century, and in Lutherstadt Eisleben you can visit hisbirthplaceas well as hisdeath place. TIP: take the first train from Wernigerode (departure at 08.55 am in 2021) as this will be the most quiet ride. Another historical town worth visiting is Wernigerode. 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The people of the Harz Mountains were ingenious in their ways of using water to drive the water wheels of the mines, and the systems are still clearly on display today. Its also home to various stone houses, known as bowers, that were built in the 12th century. Not one for the faint hearted, well worth the effort. for all your future hikes, click on the link below. Nowadays, due to its high bio-diversity, the area that was previously known as the Iron Curtain acts as a greenbelt. For those looking for impressive nature: you will not be disappointed. Unfortunately,Soup & Soul Kitchenwere closed for renovations during our stay, but we did visit the all-vegetarian cafSchneeweiss & Rosenrottwice. Barbed with two rows of twin electric fences, the now open-air museum in the former border village of Sorge once formed part of the barrier that divided the country. A once in a lifetime experience. var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; 13 in Thale. Another fun thing to do but less touristic than Brocken are the cable cars near Thale, just west of Quedlinburg. If you decide to buy and/or book something through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Did you check out the video posted above yet? On Northabroad we share our best travel tips. Walking100 metresabove the water below, you dont want to walk here if you suffer from seriousvertigo The views are great, though! Prior to visiting Rammelsberg, we hadnt, and we must say we found the experience to befascinating! Central to this significant period is the Rammelsberg Mine in Goslar, which operated continuously for more than 1,000 years. Wernigerode is also worth your consideration. Are you looking for more fun things to do in the Harz National Park or region? During this time of the year, plenty of privately owned gardens in the city center open up for visitors and have their own small Christmas markets. The location also couldnt be better. If learning about the Iron Curtain and the Cold War wasnt enough, the Harz Mountains were also home to one of the most famous figures of the Protestant Revolution, Martin Luther.
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