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.
