Hasselfelde between Hiking Trails and Charcoal-Burning History
Accommodation in Hasselfelde
Hasselfelde brings together hiking trails, water and culture as distinct themes for a holiday. In town, the Waldseebad and St. Anthony’s Church invite you to explore; nearby, you’ll find hiking destinations and attractions devoted to the history of charcoal burning. When choosing a holiday apartment, the mix you want can therefore be decisive: Would you mainly like to hike, spend time by the water or learn about local and regional history?
File:Tussen Hasselfelde en Trautenstein, panorama IMG 5202 2018-07-06 12.29.jpg
Photo: Michielverbeek via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Compare hiking trails and routes
The extensive network of hiking trails around Hasselfelde includes the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, nature trails and the Köhlerweg. The trails lead on foot to sights and destinations in the surrounding area, including the Carlshaus observation tower. The long-distance trail, nature trails and themed trail each offer a different focus for planning your hike.
Another specific route is the purpose-built cycle path between Hasselfelde and Trautenstein. You can enjoy a leisurely walk along it without any significant climbs. Alongside the extensive trail network, this gives you a named connection between two towns, with its own distinctive route description.
In the wider Oberharz am Brocken destination, you can compare two moderately difficult hikes by distance and stated walking time: the path through mixed forest to the Krockstein viewpoint is 2.8 km long and takes 55 minutes. The circular route around the Hasselvorsperre near Hasselfelde is 5.5 km and takes 1 hour 28 minutes. The destinations differ too: one hike leads to a viewpoint, while the other goes around the forebay. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
Water and local history in Hasselfelde
The Waldseebad Hasselfelde has a 10,000-square-metre swimming pool, surrounded by forest and fed by pure spring water. The bathing area also has a diving tower and a large sunbathing and play lawn. The pool, diving facilities and grassy area offer different ways to enjoy the local bathing facilities.
St. Anthony’s Church is visible from every entrance to Hasselfelde. This three-aisled Gothic basilica also has a distinctive architectural feature. Its visibility and design provide two different ways to appreciate the church while exploring the town.
Charcoal burning and museums
Near Hasselfelde, visitors can learn about the traditional process of turning wood into charcoal at the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus. In the wider Oberharz am Brocken destination, traditional earth kilns are built, fired and harvested there from early April to the end of October. This offers a chance to experience the historic charcoal burners’ craft in action; the stated period provides a specific seasonal reference for planning. The Charcoal-Burning Museum presents the history of the craft and also gives an insight into the difficult working and living conditions of charcoal burners.
The nine museums at Pullman City Harz, nearby, offer a different historical perspective, looking back at the 18th and 19th centuries. The history of the town and its residents is also explored in Hasselfelde itself: the Blumenau Museum in the Haus des Gastes presents the life and work of chemist and emigrant Hermann Blumenau in images and text. The local history room in the Haus des Gastes tells the story of the town and the lives and work of its residents. Contact the Tourist Information Office for details of opening hours.
More destinations in Oberharz am Brocken
From Hasselfelde, you can take the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway every day to the Brocken or into the Selke Valley. Check the current timetable before travelling. Stiege is home to the stave church, the only religious building in Germany in the Norwegian dragon style. The Stieger See lies in the heart of the town and is surrounded by green meadows and forests. The turning loop in Stiege is another notable railway feature: it belongs to the Selketalbahn and is described as Europe’s smallest turning loop.
Other regional highlights include the traditional Grasedanz festival in Neuwerk, centred on the hay harvest, and the Rübeland stalactite caves, located right in the centre of Rübeland. Together with the hiking trails, bathing facilities and charcoal-burning history in Hasselfelde, these offer a range of themes to guide your search for a holiday apartment in the Harz Mountains.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Trautenstein, Sorge, Elbingerode, Neuwerk, Elend, Stiege, Benneckenstein, Rübeland.
Back to the main travel overview: Oberharz Am Brocken.
