The picturesque Harz region has one more attraction: the HARZTURM in Torfhaus. Germany’s highest observation tower consists of a wood and steel construction. The new landmark in the Harz Mountains was officially opened on November 2, 2023. This monumental structure not only marks a new chapter in the history of tourism in the Upper Harz, but also offers a unique perspective of the surrounding natural and cultural landscape.
Our previous kitchen manager, Mr. Michael Neumann, has decided to take on a new professional challenge since 01.10.2017. We wish him all the best for his further career!
Therefore, we are happy to welcome our new kitchen manager Mr Sarkis since 15.09.2017 who has made national and international experience. Our new kitchen manager focuses on light Mediterranean menus but home-style cuisine is also one of his specialties.
We are delighted to work with him: The whole team welcomes Mr Sarkis!
Dogs are very welcomed guests in our Harz Mountains Hotel. Millions of four-legged friends are not just a pet in Germany but rather a full member of the family. That´s why dog owners go on Harz vacations with their furry friends. Our motto is “if the owners feels content the dog is happy as well”. Therefore, you and your furry baby will spend relaxing days at our dog friendly accommodation. Even though we are not just an exclusive dog hotel, our hotel guest´s pets are more than welcome. Our today´s travel blog entry is about useful tips for our guests to have a stress-free vacation with their dogs in the Harz region.
Even when summer´s just started, it is worth to think about the next winter vacation in the Harz region. Because once the first snow starts falling, the hotels and apartments in the region are quickly fully booked. Reason: the Harz area belongs to the best regions for winter sports in Germany because of its magical landscape, stunning nature, beautiful places and all the activities to do for young and old. If you would like to spend your skiing holidays here, be prepared for stunning mountain landscape, large skiing areas and of course a lot of snow. But which area guarantees snow and where to find the highlights of the region?
The Harz region with its weather conditions is especially attractive during winter sports seasons. Every winter tourists gets their money’s worth: ski slopes, cross-country ski trails, toboggan runs and cleared hiking paths. But of course, there isn´t snow all year around in the Harz region. But during winter, the Harz Mountains are the region where it is most likely to snow in Germany. While planning your winter holidays in the Harz region you can check easily in advance how much snow there is and how low the temperature is. Different websites on the internet let you know how much snow is falling and how much snow there will be as well as the fallen snow from the previous years. Some slopes and toboggan runs have snow machines which guarantee the winter fun even when the weather is not as we want it to be. That means: winter sports people never have to go without snow in the Harz region.
Where to we find snow in the Harz area? We would like to answer this commonly asked question in our hotel blog. The following holiday destinations are the places where it is most likely to snow in the Harz area. All places are quick and easy to reach from our hotel by car.
The 1,141 metre-high (3,743 ft.) mountain the Brocken is the highest mountain in the Harz region and has a very harsh almost Nordic climate. Getting to the misty summit of the mountain is easy by taking the Brocken Railway. Maximally, there is 37 inches of snow on the Brocken. Quick changes of weather are very possible, therefore: Watch out, hikers! But you will be wowed by the magical and absolutely unique mountain scenery.
The skiing resort at the mountain Wurmberg is a paradise for winter sports people and hikers. The 971 metre-high (3,186 ft.) mountain is the highest and biggest ski resort in the Harz region. The diverse site has so much to offer, from the steep descent to the freestyle parkour for snowboarder. The ski trails for cross-country skiers are partly lit and the many toboggan runs offer fun for the little ones.
Torfhaus is a village in the borough of the mining town of Altenau at an altitude of about 2625 ft. above sea level. Here you find great opportunities for skiing and tobogganing for young and old. The ski lift ‘Große Torfhauslift am Rinderkopf’ takes you to a 1312 ft.-long ski slope. The ‘Brockenblick’ is only 1650 ft. and offers toboggan fun for the whole family on a 985 ft.-long slope.
Bad Lauterberg (cross-country skiing trail in the Southern Harz)
Surrounded by beautiful landscape, streams and still mountain lakes, lays the Lauterberg spa. Here you have access to the large cross- country skiing trail area ‘Südharz’ (southern Harz) which is 29 miles long and includes an almost 985 ft.-long ski slope with a ski tow lift. Some variety is provided by one toboggan run and many cleared trails for lovely winter hikes.
A classic amongst the winter sports areas in the West of the Harz region is the Upper Harz plateau. The little villages are waiting for you with their many toboggan runs. The highlight is the 4920-ft. long slope in Hahnenklee. Don´t worry if you´re waiting for snow, a snow blower will provide the snow you need. Thanks to lighting you can use the toboggan run until 8pm. And of course, there are slopes for skiers as well.
No matter where there is snow in the Harz Mountains: our hotel is the ideal starting point for a wonderful winter vacation in the Harz region!
Bad Lauerberg is located South in the Upper Harz area and is surrounded by green hills of the Harz nature park. The Hotel Panoramic is the ideal starting point to explore the South of the Harz region. We would like to introduce you to the most amazing trips in this region in our hotel blog.
The mountain Hausberg with the fort Lutterberg is probably the most popular sight and the most beautiful day trip in Bad Lauterberg. Since 1954 visitors take the fort´s cable car from the city centre to the peak of the Hausberg (do not worry: the cable car was renovated in 2000). With a gradient of 63% the fort´s cable car is the steepest double chair lift in the whole of Germany. On top of the Hausberg you can visit the ruins of the fort Lutterberg and enjoy the beautiful view on the city and the surrounding mountains from the restaurant´s terrace.
The monument Bismarck tower (Bismarckturm) is another popular destination in Bad Lauterberg. You can go on a lovely hike to the tower starting in the city centre. We recommend the 1.3-mile-long hiking trial via the path ‘Lönsweg’ which takes you past the building of the association for environmental protection ‘Naturfreundehaus’.
But please don´t underestimate the hike to the Bismarck tower since you have to overcome 820 ft. of altitude. Book an affordable room for your hiking trip through the Harz Mountain at our hotel.
You can reach the Oder Dam and the Oder Reservoir on a short walk from the Hotel Panoramic. This route is not a big challenge for experienced hikers but a beautiful hiking tour for families with children. You find lovely restaurants at the dam, where you can eat and have a cold drink. For hikers who prefer longer tours, we recommend a hike around the whole Oder Reservoir.
The unicorn cave is located close to Scharzfeld and is the biggest visitor cave in the Western part of the Harz region. The cave offers a special sound event: visitors can go on a journey to their inner selves while being enchanted by sounds of sound bowls, gongs and other harmonic instruments. You can reach the unicorn cave within a couple of minutes by car from our hotel in Bad Lauterberg and is a great idea for a daytrip on rainy days.
Ask our team at the reception if you would like to know more tips and ideas about what to do in the area around the hotel in Bad Lauterberg. Don´t hesitate to ask us!
Many times, our hotel guests asked us where the most beautiful spot in the Harz area was. This question is of course not easy to answer since every tourist has their individual preferences. Nonetheless, we would like to introduce you to some of the most beautiful places in the region in our Harz blog.
Where to find the most beautiful spot in the Harz area?
The Harz is a ‘Mittelgebirge’ that has the highest elevations in Northern Germany and its rugged terrain extends across parts of Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. Three nature parks, one biosphere reserve and a geopark form the national park. More than 1 million people visit the 1,141 metre-high (3,743 ft) Brocken annually. One of the most stunning holiday destinations is Bad Lauterberg with the close-by Oder Reservoir. Not to forget the destinations Braunlage and Torfhaus.
Bad Lauterberg is located in the South of Lower Saxony. Since the 19th century the mining town by the river Oder developed into a central for Kneipp aroma therapies and Schroth treatments. The oldest therapeutic bath in North Germany, located 24 miles away from Göttingen, includes a spa garden with an old stock of trees. Guests can enjoy concerts there. The stunning Saint Andreas Church is also a special place for cultural events and highlights. The historical old town offers many places to shop and various cafés. Down town you can find the local museum which is worth visiting and the German Diabetes Museum. The exhibition mine ‘Scholmzeche’ is very popular with families. The Oder Reservoir is right next to city area and a popular destination for water sports people, anglers and campers. Hiking lovers can hike up to the Bismarcktower on the mountain ‘Kummelberg’ or use the long-distance trail ‘Harzer Baudensteig’. Mountain bike trails, Nordic walking parks, the adventure pool VITAMAR, cross-country skiing trails and ski slopes on the mountain ‘Hausberg’ (click here to learn more about our winter offers) will give you the perfect active holiday experience.
The Brocken – the highlight of every Harz vacation
If you travel through the Harz region, you will come across the Brocken mountain many times. It used to be a military prohibited area, now the highest peak of the Harz Mountains has developed into a point of attraction. A paradise for hikers and mountain bikers. You can take a horse-drawn cart from the village Schierke. The mystical mountain landscape can also be reached with the Brocken Railway The trains start from the stations in Wernigerode and Drei-Annen-Hohe. Germany´s most elevated narrow-gauge railway takes you on a tour with a stunning view. The Brocken Garden exists since 1890 and visitors can watch the rare high-altitude plants daily on a tour with the national park ranger. The mountain´s impressive summit can be affected by weather changes, storms and fog in every season of the year.
Wonderful skiing holidays in Braunlage
The health resort Braunlage lays within the centre of the Harz region. It is one of the oldest ski resort in whole Germany. The most elevated resort of the region is located 3,300 ft. up the Wurmberg and is connected to the longest cable railway in North German. Next to the ski slopes you can use the toboggan run, the cross-country ski rails, go on a snow shoe hike or on a romantic horse carriage tour. The long-distance trail ‘Harzer Hexenstieg’ and the theme trail ‘Naturmythenpfad’ inspire many hikers during the summer months. The 35-acre big spa park plus the mountain garden offer a broad cultural programme. The natural monuments include the streams ‘Kleine Bodefall’ and ‘Große Bodefall’ and the stone cliff.
Torfhaus is a village in the borough of the mining town of Altenau situated at 2664 ft. and surrounded by the Harz national park. In the old days peat diggers used to live here who worked in the moorlands in the Upper Harz. Nowadays you can explore the regional ecosystem which serves as a precious habitat for rare plants and animals. on hiking trails and wooden bridges. You can reach the national park´s visitor centre with a beautiful view of the Brocken by public transport, by foot, bike or car. During winter, Torfhaus is a popular place for winter activities like skiing and tobogganing.
The Harz area is a paradise for hikers and adventurous travellers who like to follow the magic paths of witches and forest spirits. Because the deep woods in the Harz Mountains are full of legends and myths which thrill young and older tourists likewise. Even though the overview doesn’t include all the sights and attraction that the Harz region has to offer, it gives you a good overlook of the best sights and destinations which you must see during your stay here.
What are the must-sees in the Harz region?
Exploring the Harz region, you will eventually go visit the mountain Brocken. The highest peak of the Harz Mountains lets the temperature drop and nature unfold in all its powerful greatness. Even if it´s warm and the valleys are green, a sudden snowfall or an ice storm can happen anytime up there. You can explore the Brocken with the Brocken railway or on a long and exhausting hike.
A trip with the Wurmberg cableway in Braunlage should also be part of your agenda. While taking the cableway to the peak of Lower Saxony´s highest mountain you can enjoy the view of the deep valleys. The trail “Baumwipfepfad” in Bad Harzburg and the Imperial Palace (Kaiserpfalz) in Goslar are a popular destination. One of the mystical attractions of the region is the unicorn cave which not only enchants little tourists. History fans should go visit the stave church in Hanenklee: its historical past will give you goose bumps. It is a fact that holidays in the Harz region are ideal for active families and couples. Of course, you can reach most attractions via cableway or HEX (Harz-Berlin-Express) but true beauty lies within the deep forests and scenic valleys which are best to explore on a hike.
Tip: Our hotel Panoramic in Bad Lauterberg is the ideal accommodation for a hiking holiday in the Harz Mountains.
From the fairy ring to the “Rosstrappe”
One of the most-known sights in the Harz area are the fairy ring and the “Rosstrappe” (a 403-metre-high (1,322 ft) granite crag in the Harz mountains). Every year like-minded people meet up in the Walpurgis Night to sit around the bonfire and wait for flyovers of the magical spirits. Even though no witch comes flying over them, visitors can experience a magical flyover themselves. You can cross the deep canyons with the cableway and enjoy an impressive panoramic view. The scenic places Schierke and Wernigerode belong to the popular destinations which you must visit during your stay. Wernigerode fascinates with its medieval charm and harmony which not only impresses wedding couples. Small and cosy restaurants and the medieval market square invite you to take a stroll. A sightseeing tour through the Harz region makes you hungry: Wernigerode is the perfect place to wine and dine.
The Harz area– a place with authentic and historical attractions
The deep and dark forest is the basis for many myths and legends. But it is also the place which enchants you with its scenic stillness and where you can be just by yourself. Cable cars and shuttle services allow you to reach beautiful spots without having to walk all the way (especially the tough parts). Cyclists are also more than welcome in the Harz area. Difficult trails over hills and valleys are waiting for you (you find our hotel arrangement for mountain bikers). The scenic places take you back to medieval times with their architecture and nature opening whole world full of magic and legends for you.
Many times, we are asked what the best time to travel to the Harz area is. During the winter and summer months many people go to the Harz region to seek relaxation. But that doesn´t mean that autumn and spring are not a good time to travel to the North German mountain range. On the contrary: If you are looking to spend a relaxed and quiet holiday, the off-season gives you a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful nature peacefully. The Harz Mountains offers something for everyone throughout the whole year. Hiking, biking, skiing, tobogganing or water sports – every season offers the right activity for families and children.
Winter holidays in the Harz Mountains – skiing and tobogganing fun
Winter is the best time for skiing holidays in the Harz Mountains. The moment meteorologists forecast the first snow in the Harz region, the number of guests rises steeply. In many places hosts are prepared for so many guests. The Harz ski runs are being groomed. You find ice rinks in many places where young and old ice skaters are welcome to skate around and enjoy the lovely winter air. Families with children usually go to the toboggan runs. For those who’d like to take it slow this year why not go on a long stroll through the winter wonderland.
Early spring days in the Harz region
In the Harz region it usually takes a bit longer for spring to come around. More nature starts to bloom and blossom when the last bits of snow melt. For the ones who would like to relax and rest after a long winter they should travel to the Harz area during spring to catch the first rays of sunshine and experience nature´s early spring days with all their senses.
Autumn sun and enchanting blaze of colours – the best time of the year to go hiking in the Harz Mountains
Autumn is, especially for hiking holidays, a popular time to travel to the Harz area. It belongs to a touristic region in Germany which has a long tradition. Poet Johan Wolfgang von Goethe hiked up the mountain Brocken and wrote about his deep impressions in his work. In those days hiking in the Harz Mountains posed certain dangers. Now the hiking trails are safe but still offer a lot of adventure. If you don´t feel like walking, then take a bike to explore the region. For an even more adventurous time you should go rafting or even paragliding.
Hikers, romantics and adventurer enjoy the Harz area the most in October. Once the leaves turn red, brown and golden, the region becomes quieter. Nonetheless, many tourists choose to travel to the Harz area purposely. The conditions for long hikes or bike tours are ideal in September and October.
The autumn sun makes the mountain sides sparkle in a beautiful blaze of colours. The now longer evenings invite you to have a romantic dinner or a lovely gathering with friends.
The best time to travel to the Harz region
As you can see, it is not easy to determine the best time for a holiday in the Harz region. Depending on your personal preferences, every season can be ideal for holidays in the Harz Mountains: winter sportspeople obviously go there in winter to go skiing, snowboarding and ice skating, hikers love to go there in autumn and in summer mountain bikers cruise through the forests. And for families with children the Harz region is the ideal place to go throughout the whole year. Therefore, we are not shy to say that the Harz area is worth traveling to no matter which season.
We love travel blogs: So called travel bloggers talk about their travelling experience on their websites. Most of these posts are about exotic countries including stunning holiday impression which make you want to pack your suitcase as well. But it doesn´t always have to be Thailand, Bali or New Zealand. We were delighted to see that many travel bloggers who went on a family vacation or hiking and trekking tours explored the beautiful Harz area. Therefore, we would like to present to our readers interesting posts about the Harz region from the blogger scene on our hotel blog in the future.
A ride on the Brocken Railway is a great experience: Taking the train up the mountain at a comfortable speed is an unforgettable trip for young and old! The Bravebird travel blog gives you useful tips about a trip to the mountain the ‘Brocken’. The family blog Motte offers you an interesting post and many beautiful photos of a trip to the hiking path ‘Baumwipfelpfad’ in Bad Harzburg.
City dwellers appreciate the amazing nature of the Harz region as well – no matter what time of the year. The blog written by berlinfreckles talks about a beautiful weekend trip with lovely autumn weather in the Harz area. The blogger also says that this trip brought back lovely childhood memories of hers.
Not only parents like to take their children to the Harz Mountains: Many grandparents love to spend a great weekend with their grandchildren in beautiful Germany. Gabriela tells us in her travel blog about a delightful Easter weekend with her grandchildren including trips to the visitor’s mine of Rammelsberg, to the Wernigerode Castle, to the aviation museum in Wernigerode, to the Oder Dam, a ride on the Wurmberg cable railway to the highest mountain in the whole of Lower Saxony (the second highest one in the Harz region after the ‘Brocken’) as well as going to see the bonfire on Easter Saturday in Saint Andreasberg. Quite a tight programme for just one Easter weekend!
The Harz region is also perfect for hiking tours with dogs. Dog owners should only keep in mind to leash their dogs while hiking. Next to all the well-known sights, the Harz area offers many exciting insider tips. Maddie presents one of these in her travel blog: the hiking trail Scheeptal. You don’t need to go far to experience amazing things: The Globetrotters give great tips on their blog about father and son trekking in the Upper Harz.
Also quite popular with hikers: the 11 km long hike “the Kästeklippentour”. The hiking trail was awarded by the “Deutsches Wanderinstitut “(German Hiking Institute) to be a premium trail since it offers bizarre rock formations which you can admire in Torben´s travel blog. Have you also spent a holiday in the Harz area and wrote a blog post about it? Then please post a link in the comments. We´d love to read about your impressions.
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