Many things are close together in the Harz Mountains. Old paths and young forests. Tranquil lakes and lively towns. If you take your time, you will discover landscapes that tell stories - and places that stay with you. In Saxony-Anhalt, the Harz is both pristine and open: for the curious, for the active, for people who like to be outdoors. And for all those in search of the legendary: Between the Witches' Dance Place, mystical rocks and stories from the depths lies a region full of magic.
The Harz in figures
0
sq kms
are covered by the Harz National Park, 89 square kilometers of which are in Saxony-Anhalt—a refuge for plants, animals, and anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
0
ft
is the height of the Brocken — the most striking peak in the Harz Mountains, often shrouded in fog, but always offering a panoramic view.
0
World Heritage sites
are found in Saxony-Anhalt's Harz region: the old town of Quedlinburg with its collegiate church, cathedral treasury, and half-timbered houses – and the Luther sites in Eisleben in the Harz foothills.
6 Highlights in the Harz Mountains
Brocken
The highest point in the north
1,142 meters above sea level. When you reach the Brocken, you can feel the perspective change. The ascent on foot is challenging, for example on the Heinrich Heine Trail from Ilsenburg. The trail follows in the poet's footsteps - along the rushing River Ilse, through beech forest and high moorland, up to the summit, which Heine described back in the 19th century. The Brocken Railway, which has been steaming through the forest since 1899, is a more comfortable option. At the top, a barren summit awaits you with sweeping views, often interspersed with clouds. Not a place for great spectacle - but one that stays with you.
Quedlinburg
Half-timbered houses and world heritage town
Quedlinburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - not only because of its architecture, but also because of its rich history. More than 2,000 half-timbered houses from eight centuries, a medieval layout, cobbled alleyways, the cathedral with its famous treasure. And yet nothing looks like a museum. Behind the old facades, people live, artists work, stores and cafés invite you to stay.
Michaelstein Monastery
A place of silence and sound
Michaelstein Monastery is nestled in a quiet basin near Blankenburg. The complex tells of monastic life, discipline and retreat - and at the same time of sound and art. The music museum houses instruments from several centuries, and there are concerts, guided tours and workshops. The gardens, ponds and restaurant also invite you to take a break. If you want to stay longer, you can also spend the night here.
Wernigerode
City life with a view of the castle
Half-timbered houses, cobblestones, small courtyards: Wernigerode is a town that invites you to linger. The alleyways are lined with past and present, cafés and small stores, everyday life and architecture. High above the town is the castle - with views of the Harz landscape and glimpses into the homes of past centuries. It combines history with art, views with inner life. If you like, take a walk up the castle hill or take the funicular.
Rappbode Dam
Between water and thrills
The Rappbode Dam near Elbingerode is not only one of the highest dams in Germany, but also a place for exercise, views and adrenaline. If you like, you can cross the dam on the Titan RT - a 458-metre-long suspension bridge suspended 100 meters above the valley. Europe's longest double rope slide, the Megazipline, awaits the brave. All around, hiking trails and viewpoints invite you to explore - or simply take a break with a view of the water, forest and rock.
Hiking in the Harz Mountains
Anyone hiking in the Harz Mountains quickly realizes how close contrasts are here: steep ascents and gentle valleys, rushing streams and quiet moors. Around 8,000 kilometers of marked trails lead through the national park and the surrounding landscapes - from the Brocken to the Bode Valley. Classics such as the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg or the Selketal-Stieg are popular and can be explored in stages. But shorter tours also lead to viewpoints, waterfalls or hidden forest lakes.
For families, explorers and anyone who wants to be outdoors
In the Harz Mountains, families will find places to discover together - in the mine, by the water or on the narrow-gauge railroad through the forest. Those who want to be out and about can set off on high-altitude trails with a view or on quieter paths through the greenery. For anyone interested in history, there are monastery courtyards, half-timbered towns and museums. And those who simply need a break will often find it where the paths become narrower and the views wider.
Culture in the Harz Mountains
Culture in the Harz means experiencing history and the present side by side. In half-timbered towns such as Quedlinburg or Stolberg, you will find lively old towns, workshops and galleries. In Blankenburg and Halberstadt, monasteries and cathedrals tell of times gone by - while museums, theaters and festivals translate them into the present. The Harz Mountains have always been a place for stories, myths and music. Today, jazz in the monastery, open-air concerts in the castle courtyard and readings in old factory halls characterize the scene.
Excursion tips in fall & winter in the Harz Mountains
When it rains in the Harz
A rainy day in the Harz mountains doesn't need a plan B, but simply other places.
- In Wernigerode, the Aviation Museum delights visitors with its large exhibits, child-friendly stations and flight simulator.
- In Quedlinburg, the Lyonel Feininger Museum and the Klopstock House tell the story of art and language.
- In Derenburg, you can experience how glass is made at the Harzkristall manufactory - or get active yourself.
- If you like, visit the railroad and toy museum in Quedlinburg.
- And in Wernigerode, the covered Schierker Feuerstein Arena offers exercise all year round - whatever the weather. In winter with an ice rink and lights, in summer with a roller skating rink, bouldering wall, games and events such as cinema or puppet theater. A place for families, groups and spontaneous visits - in the middle of the town and yet free in your mind.
And sometimes the rain itself is the best companion: a walk through the damp forest, drops on moss and stone, clear air and a path that slows you down. With a rain jacket and a little time, it becomes a day to remember - not despite the weather, but because of it.
Discover more Harz!
You can find all the information you need for your vacation - from locations to offers - here: