In Oberharz am Brocken, a range of hiking options is paired with insights into traditional charcoal-making, local history, and distinctive architectural styles. When planning your trip, it is worth considering distances, stated walking times, and themes separately: one hike leads to the Krockstein viewpoint, while a circular trail runs around the Hasselvorsperre reservoir near Hasselfelde. There are also cultural points of interest in Hasselfelde, Stiege, and other towns.
Hiking and getting around
The moderate hike through mixed forest to the Krockstein viewpoint is 2.8 kilometers long, with a stated walking time of 55 minutes. The circular trail around the Hasselvorsperre reservoir near Hasselfelde is also described as moderate. It is listed as 5.5 kilometers long and taking 1 hour and 28 minutes. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
Hasselfelde has an extensive network of hiking trails, including the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, nature trails, and the Köhlerweg. These trails provide access on foot to local sights and places to visit. Those planning multi-stage hikes will find other named trails in Stiege: the historical trail “Wege deutscher Kaiser und Könige” (Paths of German Emperors and Kings), the Selketal-Stieg, and the VIA ROMEA pilgrimage route. These three routes offer different options for hikers planning to walk in stages.
The train can also be part of your plans: the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway runs daily from Hasselfelde to the Brocken or into the Selke Valley. Check the current timetable before travelling.
Traditional charcoal-making and local history
From early April to the end of October, traditional earth kilns are built, fired, and harvested at the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus. During this period, you can experience the old craft of charcoal-making in action. The charcoal-making museum offers an insight into the difficult working and living conditions of charcoal burners. The craft itself and the lives of the people who practised it therefore offer two distinct ways to explore the subject.
In Hasselfelde, the local history room in the Haus des Gastes tells the story of the town and the lives and work of its residents. For opening hours, contact the tourist information office. Also located in the Haus des Gastes, the Blumenau Museum presents the life and work of chemist and emigrant Hermann Blumenau through images and text. St. Antonius Church in Hasselfelde is a three-aisled Gothic basilica.
In Stiege, the stave church provides a distinctive architectural feature: it is the only religious building in Germany designed in the Norwegian dragon style. The Selketal Railway’s reversing loop is also part of the area’s railway history; it is described as the smallest reversing loop in Europe. Both features offer a specific reason to consider architecture and railway heritage when planning your trip.
Landscape and local highlights
Lake Stieger See lies in the center of Stiege and is surrounded by green meadows and forests. In Neuwerk, the traditional Grasedanz festival is dedicated to the hay harvest. The RT suspension bridge is a few kilometers from Neuwerk. In RĂĽbeland, the RĂĽbeland stalactite caves are located right in the town center.
The Harz as a wider travel destination
Beyond the places mentioned above, the Harz provides a wider geographical setting for your trip. At 1,141 meters, the Brocken is the highest peak in the Harz. Harz National Park covers 24,732 hectares, or around ten percent of the entire Harz region. Its facilities include eight visitor centers and national park houses with information about the park, hiking tips, exhibitions, and film screenings. The national park also offers guided hikes and excursions with rangers, experts, national park guides, and national park forest guides. Check the current dates for these guided activities.
Discover more destinations: Elbingerode, Hasselfelde, Stiege, Trautenstein, Rübeland, Königshütte, Sorge, Neuwerk, Elend, Benneckenstein.
View the wider travel overview: Harz.
