An overview of the most beautiful places in the Harz
For us, the fairytale-like Quedlinburg is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the Harz.
I was particularly enchanted by these beautiful places in the Harz:
Quedlinburg
Goslar
Witches' Dance Site
Brocken
Wernigerode
Eisleben
Stolberg
World Forest Harz
Engagement Island in the Oker
Rappbode Dam with Titan RT
Selketal
Oderteich
1. Quedlinburg
Shortly after the rain, the town hall and the church St. Benedikti are reflected in a puddle on the market square of Quedlinburg
A beautiful Harz town you must see is Quedlinburg in Saxony-Anhalt. The old town with its winding alleys and around 2000 half-timbered houses in the Harz Mountains is even on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Quedlinburg was first mentioned in a document in 922. Be sure to plan some time for your visit. It is very worthwhile to wander through the individual streets. You will discover something everywhere. Not only the beautiful half-timbered houses are worth seeing, but also the street names, such as Hölle.
Hölle referred to the old part of town that used to lie between the old and new town. Both parts were closed off by a city wall. We didn't know where to look first. Everything there enchanted us. Quedlinburg's town hall is also an architectural masterpiece.
You should treat yourself to coffee and cake at Vincent, the Cheesecake King(Google Maps).
2 Goslar
From the tower of the market church of St. Cosmas and Damian you have a great view of the old town of Goslar.
Goslar also enchanted us. Not only is the old town with the market church absolutely enchanting. The Kaiserpfalz Goslar is a huge, grandiose building from the 11th century. It is considered the largest secular building of its time. You absolutely must see this place in the Harz Mountains.
You can find more unusual accommodation tips in the article on Saxony-Anhalt. Another tip would be the imposing Goslar Zwinger ( check prices here*).
A three-part heritage site in Lower Saxony was also included in the UNESCO list. It includes not only the old town of Goslar, but also the Rammelsberg mine and the Upper Harz Water Regal with the Samson mine and Walkenried Monastery.
3. witches' dancing place
In the Bode Valley lies a legendary place in the Harz Mountains. The Hexentanzplatz Thale(Google Maps) is a plateau high in the Harz Mountains and probably also an ancient Saxon cult site.
This spectacular canyon in the middle of Germany fascinated us immensely and reminded us directly of the Black Canyon in the USA. The Hexentanzplatz is a scenic experience for the whole family.
The Hexentanzplatz Thale is a unique place of power in Germany. The Bode Valley, into which you look, is also called the Grand Canyon of the Harz.
Children will be perfectly attracted to the witch figures and the upside-down witch's house. The Walpurgis Hall is also well worth a visit. You can get there by taking the Bodetal cable car.
Our camping tip: There is also a designated camper van and camping site right next to the large car park at the Hexentanzplatz.
By the way, here you can find our excursion tips for families with children in the Harz Mountains.
4. brocken
The Harz National Park lies largely in Lower Saxony and, as the largest forest national park in Germany, is home to extensive woodlands and moors.
The Brocken is a popular hiking destination. But be warned: in winter, conditions up here are harsh
In the heart of the Saxony-Anhalt part of the Harz mountains is the famous Brocken(Google Maps), which at almost 1,142 metres is the highest mountain in the Harz and in the whole of northern Germany. For us, it is one of the most beautiful places because the view from the summit is simply magnificent.
Since 1899, you have been able to reach the summit with the historic Brocken Railway or on one of the popular hiking trails.
Several great hiking trails lead to the summit. The shortest and most popular hike to the Brocken starts in Schierke and leads through the so-called Eckerloch.
But the Goethe Trail, which is just under 18 kilometres long, or the 100-kilometre-long Harzer Hexenstieg long-distance hiking trail are also very popular.
As this last name suggests, there are numerous myths and legends surrounding the Brocken and its environs - which is why the mountain is also popularly known as Blocksberg.
Extra tip: Since our hike begins in Schierke , you should also take a culinary dip in the Harz.
In terms of beverages, the Harz has always been a traditional beer region in Germany. The Hasseröder brewery is the largest of its kind in the Harz. A popular spirit and super souvenir is Schierker Feuerstein - it was created over 100 years ago when apothecaries experimented with various herbs and created several successful herbal liqueurs.
The historic Brockenbahn takes you up the mountain
5 Wernigerode
We really liked Wernigerode. The town's old town hall is particularly impressive
The town of Wernigerode in Saxony-Anhalt is also one of the most beautiful towns in the Harz Mountains. The half-timbered houses in Wernigerode are excellently preserved. One of the reasons for this is that in GDR times the town was a model town in terms of facades and townscape.
The town hall is mentioned in writings as early as 1277. The beautiful patrician houses on the market square also attract attention.
Also worth seeing is the imposing Wernigerode Castle in neo-Gothic style, which towers high above the beautiful town.
Wernigerode Castle is an absolute must-see when you are travelling in the Harz Mountains.
Incidentally, the narrow-gauge Brockenbahn also starts in the town and takes visitors up to the Brocken, the most popular peak in northern Germany.
6 Eisleben
From Eisleben's market square you have a beautiful view of St. Andrew's Church.
Lutherstadt Eisleben is also located in the foothills of the Harz Mountains - and is also the region's last World Heritage Site. Admittedly, we didn't find the town as beautiful as the half-timbered towns of Quedlinburg, Goslar and Wernigerode before it. But Eisleben, as Lutherstadt, definitely deserves to be mentioned in this list of beautiful places.
The market square with the Luther monument is well worth seeing. So is the St. Petri Paul Church, where Martin Luther was baptised. The old baptismal font is still there today. Right next to it you will find the museum of Luther's birthplace.
7 Stolberg
The small town of Stolberg impressed us with its many half-timbered houses.
Stolberg in the Harz Mountains, or more precisely in the Lower Harz, has the title of European City. The town hall street with its beautiful half-timbered houses and half-timbered ensembles leads the eye directly to Stolberg Castle.
Stolberg Castle dates back to the 12th century and is absolutely worth seeing. Today, many events take place here. In the Old Mint Museum you can find out everything about the minting of coins at that time and gain an insight into a historic minting workshop.
8. world forest Harz
The Hübichenstein is one of the top attractions in the beautiful Harz World Forest.
The World Forest Harz is an experience for the whole family. You'll find wonderful hikes there, but also great sights.
We were particularly impressed by the short climb to the Hübichenstein with its striking eagle - a very special place. Incidentally, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe also visited this place in 1784.
Children will enjoy the Indian trail with its long suspension rope bridge. The Knesebeck mine is also nearby, as is the Iberg Dripstone Cave Adventure Centre.
9 Engagement Island in the River Oker
The engagement island in the Oker is a popular excursion destination
The Engagement Island in the Oker is a truly enchanted place. The entire Oker valley is perfect for hiking. We hiked down the small path to the Oker River and came to the Engagement Island in the Harz Mountains. It also counts as a great resting place.
The river island is embraced by the Oker, so to speak, and is nestled in nature. It's fun to walk along the river and stroll over the large rocks. This place is definitely suitable for the whole family and well worth a visit.
10 Rappbode Dam & Rope Bridge Titan RT
In the Upper Harz you will find the Rappbode Dam(Google Maps). It is a visitor magnet for young and old. Not only can you go for a walk directly at the dam and get a great view of the dam from various vantage points.
The Titan RT, a huge suspension bridge, crosses the valley. The bridge is 458 metres long and runs along the dam wall at a dizzying height.
Are you looking for a thrill? Then the Titan RT suspension bridge is definitely something for you.
By the way, car fans also get their money's worth. At the weekend, many motorbikes and tuned cars gather here and speed through the tunnel. The louder and faster, the better is the motto. The engines really roar in the tunnel and the noise is amplified.
11 Selke Valley
The Selke Falls are a real gem and a great photo motif in the Selke Valley.
The Selke Valley near Falkenstein(Google Maps) is equally popular and impressive. There, the 67-kilometre Selketal-Stieg is considered the most beautiful and romantic hiking trail, leading to Quedlinburg in four stages.
It's worth making a detour to the Selke Falls(Google Maps), which are man-made and very flat, but still very picturesque.
There is a youth hostel in the Selke Valley, as well as beautiful hiking trails.
12 Oderteich
A beautiful hiking trail leads around the Oderteich pond.
A truly enchanting place in our eyes is the Oderteich in the Harz Mountains. In recent years, it has become a real Instagram spot. No wonder, because the beautiful lake, surrounded by a fairytale landscape, is particularly photogenic.
Incidentally, the Oderteich was Germany's largest dam from 1722 to 1891. However, the Oderteich is not the oldest dam in the Harz. The dam near Osterode was built as early as 1931.
13. mountains and valleys
The view from the Hexentanzplatz in Thale into the Bode Valley is breathtaking.
In addition to great places, vantage points and beautiful towns with half-timbered houses, the Harz naturally has other great scenery to offer. The low mountain range landscape in the Harz is definitely not to be underestimated and bears witness to wild, unspoilt beauty.
For example, it's worth taking a detour to the Bocksberg(Google Maps). It is located near Goslar in the Harz Nature Park and is about 727 metres high. There used to be a bobsleigh run there, of which there are still remains - but today there is a modern summer toboggan run. There is also a cable car, a lookout tower with a view of the Brocken and a mountain restaurant.
The Ravensberg in the southern Harz is also beautiful(Google Maps). There, too, is a mountain farm, various hiking and mountain biking routes and several ski slopes. The popular view from Ravensberg reaches as far as the Kyffhäuser Mountains in Thuringia and the Brocken.
In the Harz there are not only high mountains, but also deep valleys. Particularly beautiful for hiking are, for example, the Ilse Valley near Ilsenburg(Googe Maps) or the Bode Valley near Thale(Google Maps), which is also called the "Grand Canyon of the Harz". By the way, this is also the location of the Hexentanzplatz, which I will present to you later in the excursion destinations!
Beautiful walks in the Harz
In addition to the selected hiking trails I've already shown you, there are other well-known hikes in the Harz. Of course, I don't want to deprive you of them!
One of the most beautiful hiking trails through the low mountain range is the Liebesbankweg(website). It runs for about seven kilometres around the Bocksberg and was one of the first premium hiking trails in Lower Saxony. As the name suggests, you will find many special sights, works of art and special benches related to love.
The Liebesbankweg leads you past many small and large ponds.
The Harzer Wandernadel is exciting for passionate hikers. Various tours lead to a total of 222 stamping points throughout the Harz, and at the end the hiker is awarded various prizes depending on the stations reached. These range from the Harzer Wandernadel in bronze (with 8 stamps) to the Harzer Wanderkaiser (with all 222 stamps).
The Harzer Wandernadel is very popular with young and old alike.
Incidentally, there is also an interesting route in the Lower Harz: Germany's first official naturist hiking trail. The 18-kilometre Harzer Naturistenstieg is a circular trail for nude hikers that starts and ends at the Wippra Dam(Google Maps). However, the condition of the trails and the poor signposting are unfortunately repeatedly criticised.
Finally, another interactive culinary tip: the Harzer BaudenSteig. It connects the 10 most beautiful forest restaurants and mountain inns, called Bauden in the Harz, and leads hikers on 6 stages about 100 kilometres from Bad Grund to Walkenried Monastery. The six BaudenSteig circular trails are ideal for day tours.
Other popular "gateways" to the beautiful Harz Mountains are, for example, Nordhausen in Thuringia (more information on Nordhausen and the southern Harz can be found at Couchflucht). Angela from Unterwegs mit Kind reveals her most beautiful tours in the Harz here. Here you can also find the top sights in the Harz.
Facts and figures about the Harz Mountains
Until the Middle Ages, the Harz was called "Hart" - meaning mountain forest.
In the heart of the Harz, people still greet each other with the old miner's greeting "Glückauf".
The oldest rock in the Harz is around 490 million years old
The Harz is considered the most geologically diverse of the German low mountain ranges