Discover Oberharz am Brocken

Hiking Trails with Different Time Requirements

A 2.8-kilometer, moderately difficult hike through mixed woodland leads to the Krockstein viewpoint. The stated walking time is 55 minutes. Check current trail conditions before setting out. For a longer comparison, there is the moderately difficult circular trail around the Hasselvorsperre reservoir near Hasselfelde: it is 5.5 kilometers long, with a stated duration of 1 hour and 28 minutes. Both figures can help you estimate how much time to allow for a hike.

Hasselfelde also has an extensive network of hiking trails. These include the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, nature trails, and the Köhlerweg. The trails provide access on foot to sights and excursion destinations in the surrounding area. The Harz narrow-gauge railway runs daily from Hasselfelde to the Brocken or into the Selke Valley; check the current timetable before travelling. This lets you consider hiking and train journeys as different options for planning your day.

Charcoal-Making Craftsmanship and Local History

At the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus, traditional earth kilns are built, fired, and harvested from early April to the end of October. During this period, you can experience the old charcoal-making craft in action. The charcoal-making museum in Hasselfelde offers a different perspective on the subject, conveying an impression of the difficult working and living conditions of charcoal burners.

At the Haus des Gastes in Hasselfelde, the Blumenau Museum presents the life and work of chemist and emigrant Hermann Blumenau in pictures and text. The local history room in the same building tells the story of the town and the lives and work of its residents. The Tourist Information office can provide details of its opening hours. The architecture of St. Antonius Church is another point of interest: it is a three-aisled Gothic basilica.

Stiege, Neuwerk, and Rübeland

Stiege Stave Church is the only religious building in Germany in the Norwegian dragon style. The railway loop in Stiege is part of the Selke Valley Railway and is described as Europe’s smallest turning loop. The Stieger See lake offers a contrast in the landscape: it lies in the middle of the village and is surrounded by green meadows and forests.

In Neuwerk, the traditional Grasedanz festival is all about the hay harvest. The RT suspension bridge is a few kilometers from Neuwerk. In Rübeland, the stalactite caves are right in the village center. Together, the three places appeal to different interests: a local festival tradition, a bridge near Neuwerk, and caves in the heart of Rübeland.

The Harz as a Wider Setting

The Harz also provides a broader setting for planning your trip. Harz National Park covers 24,732 hectares, around ten percent of the entire Harz region. It has eight visitor centers and national park houses offering information about the park, hiking tips, exhibitions, and film screenings. These insights complement the specific local and hiking experiences in Oberharz am Brocken with a perspective on the Harz as a whole.

For hikers, the Harzer Wandernadel links 222 checkpoints throughout the Harz. Those who collect all 222 stamps earn the title “Harz Hiking Emperor.” This provides a region-wide incentive to think of hikes not just as individual routes, but also as part of a longer exploration of the Harz.

Choose the Focus of Your Holiday Apartment Stay

When looking for a holiday apartment in Oberharz am Brocken, it helps to decide first what you want to focus on during your trip. Would you mainly like to explore hiking trails, learn about charcoal-making craftsmanship, or focus on local history and architecture? The experiences described offer different ways to do so. Choose the location of your accommodation based on the interests you want to shape your daily plans.

Discover More Destinations

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

Go to the main travel overview: Harz.