Discover Neuwerk: Grasedanz and Krockstein

For a trip to Neuwerk, the Krockstein viewpoint above the village is a specific point of interest. In the wider travel region of Oberharz am Brocken, Grasedanz is also a vibrant tradition in Neuwerk and Hüttenrode. From there, the view extends to the Brocken and Wurmberg. Festival culture and the view give the village a distinctive character; there are also other hiking, craft and cultural themes in the wider travel region of Oberharz am Brocken. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can consider whether Krockstein as a destination in Neuwerk or a broader programme in the wider travel region of Oberharz am Brocken should shape your stay; the regional cultural offering includes Grasedanz, a vibrant tradition in Neuwerk and Hüttenrode.

Grasedanz: haymaking and festival tradition

Grasedanz is all about the hay harvest and lasts for a weekend. The festivities include decorated birch trees at house entrances, baskets of flowers carried to the festival site by young women, and a festival site adorned with floral garlands. A Grasekönigin, or Queen of the Grass, is also chosen by lottery. In the wider travel region of Oberharz am Brocken, women play the leading role in Grasedanz: they initiated the festival more than 100 years ago to recognise their work. With its connection to the harvest, festive decorations and the central role of women, Grasedanz is a special cultural theme in the wider travel region of Oberharz am Brocken; the tradition remains vibrant in Neuwerk and Hüttenrode.

A building also gives the village a striking feature: the former schoolhouse is considered Neuwerk’s most imposing building and has a small, onion-shaped tower.

Views and hikes

Krockstein lies above Neuwerk; from the viewpoint, the view extends to the Brocken and Wurmberg. In the wider travel region of Oberharz am Brocken, a 2.8-kilometre moderate hike leads through mixed woodland to Krockstein. The stated walking time is 55 minutes. Another option for comparison is the moderate circular route around the Hasselvorsperre near Hasselfelde: it is 5.5 kilometres long, with a stated duration of 1 hour 28 minutes. Both routes are rated moderate; by distance and walking time, the hike to Krockstein is the shorter one. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

More to explore in Oberharz am Brocken

The wider travel region of Oberharz am Brocken also showcases traditional crafts. At the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus, traditional earth kilns are built, fired and harvested from early April to the end of October, offering a live glimpse of the old charcoal-burning craft. The charcoal-burning museum gives an impression of the difficult working and living conditions of the charcoal burners.

Hasselfelde has an extensive network of hiking trails, including the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, nature trails and the Köhlerweg. These routes offer access on foot to local sights and destinations. The Harzer Schmalspurbahn runs daily from Hasselfelde to the Brocken or into the Selke Valley. For planning, it is advisable to check the current timetable. Also in Hasselfelde, the Blumenau Museum in the Haus des Gastes explores the life and work of chemist and emigrant Hermann Blumenau; images and text present these themes. The local history room in the Haus des Gastes tells the story of the village and the lives and work of its residents. You can ask the Tourist Information office about opening hours. St. Antonius Church in Hasselfelde is a three-aisled Gothic basilica.

Stiege is home to the stave church, the only religious building in Germany in the Norwegian dragon style. The turning loop in Stiege is part of the Selketalbahn and is described as Europe’s smallest turning loop. Stieger See lies in the heart of the village, surrounded by green meadows and forests. Routes mentioned for multi-day hikers in Stiege include the historical trail “Wege deutscher Kaiser und Könige,” the Selketal-Stieg and the VIA ROMEA pilgrimage route. The Rübeländer stalactite caves are located right in the centre of Rübeland.

You can tailor your trip to the themes that interest you most: Grasedanz and views in Neuwerk, or other hiking, craft and cultural destinations in the wider Oberharz am Brocken region. This distinction offers a factual guide when choosing a holiday apartment, without treating the different places and their offerings as interchangeable.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Hasselfelde, Sorge, Elend, Trautenstein, Stiege, Königshütte, Rübeland, Benneckenstein.

To the overview of the wider travel region: Oberharz Am Brocken.