Sorge: Border History and Trails in the Harz

Sorge brings the history of Germany’s division to life at specific locations: the open-air border museum displays original fragments of the GDR border fortifications, and the artwork “The Ring of Remembrance” is part of the Sorge border landscape. Two circular trails offer different ways to explore the area on foot.

Border History and Art in Sorge

The open-air border museum displays original fragments of the GDR border fortifications and documents the history of Germany’s division. The Small Border Museum focuses on something different: visitors can see an original model of the border installations, along with various exhibits from the everyday lives of GDR border troops and residents of the border area. Together, the two museums offer different perspectives on the border and life in the border region.

“The Ring of Remembrance” is located right in the open-air border museum, amid this border landscape, on the Green Belt and along the former inner-German border. The artwork adds another way to take in the landscape, which has been shaped by its history, while visiting the museum.

People with mobility impairments can visit the open-air border museum only by prior arrangement. If this applies to you, please contact the museum in advance to arrange your visit.

Two Circular Trails, Different Distances

The easy circular trail to the open-air and Small Border Museums in Sorge (HWN 46) is 6.9 kilometres long. It starts at the Border Museum Sorge car park, and the stated duration is 1 hour and 50 minutes. The route links both museums with a walk whose distance and time required are easy to factor into your day’s plans.

The circular trail “In the Footsteps of Inner-German Border History 1” is longer, at 8.8 kilometres, and is rated moderate. It starts at the Ebersbachstraße car park in Sorge. The two routes therefore differ in both length and difficulty. Check the current trail conditions before setting out.

Railway, Playground and Sorge Local Heritage Festival

From Sorge railway station, you can take trips on the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway and a steam locomotive. From there, you can reach the Brocken, Wernigerode or Nordhausen. If you are planning a train journey, check the current timetable before departure. There is also a children’s playground near Sorge railway station.

The Sorge Local Heritage Festival is held every year at the former small boating pond in Sorge. It adds a local tradition to the village’s historical themes. If the festival is relevant to your stay, check the dates in advance.

More Things to See in Oberharz am Brocken

The wider destination of Oberharz am Brocken also offers other hiking and cultural attractions. Near Hasselfelde, a moderate, 2.8-kilometre trail leads through mixed forest to the Krockstein viewpoint; the stated walking time is 55 minutes. Also near Hasselfelde, a moderate circular trail runs around the Hasselvorsperre reservoir. It is 5.5 kilometres long, with a stated duration of 1 hour and 28 minutes. The different trail lengths provide a useful point of reference when comparing hikes by distance.

At the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus, traditional charcoal-burning mounds are built, fired and harvested from early April to the end of October. This is a chance to experience the old charcoal-burning craft live. In Stiege, the stave church is another cultural attraction in Oberharz am Brocken: it is the only sacred building in Germany in the Norwegian dragon style.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Sorge, the border museums, the artwork and the two circular trails may help you decide what to focus on during your holiday.

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

See the overview of the wider destination: Oberharz Am Brocken.