In Stiege, landscape and architectural history come together. Lake Stiege lies in the middle of the village, surrounded by green meadows and forests; Stiege Castle stands on a rock right beside the lake, also in the heart of Stiege. If you want to choose a destination that combines landscape with a striking building, you’ll find two closely connected local highlights here.
Railway history in numbers
The reversing loop of the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway is located at Stiege station. It is 400 metres long and has a track gauge of 1,000 millimetres. Deutsche Reichsbahn built it in 1984 for freight transport. In the wider Oberharz am Brocken travel destination, the reversing loop is part of the Selke Valley Railway and is described as Europe’s smallest reversing loop. Its dimensions, year of construction and original purpose offer different insights into the village’s railway history: from the engineering structure to its former role in freight transport.
Hiking from Stiege and in Oberharz am Brocken
The Selke Valley Trail starts at Stiege station and leads to Quedlinburg in the northern Harz foothills. For hikes in the wider Oberharz am Brocken travel destination, two routes can be compared by distance and stated walking time: a moderate hike leads through mixed forest to the Krockstein viewpoint. It is 2.8 kilometres long, with a walking time of 55 minutes. The also-moderate circular trail around the Hasselvorsperre near Hasselfelde is 5.5 kilometres long and is listed as taking 1 hour and 28 minutes. The circular route is therefore 2.7 kilometres longer; the stated times differ by 33 minutes. Both trails are rated moderate, but offer different time frames for planning your day. Check current trail conditions before setting off on the hike to Krockstein.
Charcoal burning and culture in Oberharz am Brocken
Charcoal burning is a seasonal theme in the wider Oberharz am Brocken travel destination. At the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus, traditional earth kilns are built, fired and harvested from early April to the end of October; visitors can experience the historic craft live. In Hasselfelde, the charcoal-burning museum offers a glimpse into the difficult working and living conditions of charcoal burners. This brings both charcoal production and the lives of the people behind the craft into focus.
Hasselfelde has an extensive network of hiking trails, including the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, nature trails and the Köhlerweg. These routes make it possible to reach local sights and attractions on foot. The museums also each have a different focus: 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 tells the story of the village and the lives and work of its residents. The Tourist Information Centre can provide details of its opening hours.
The churches in Hasselfelde and Stiege represent different architectural styles. St. Anthony’s Church in Hasselfelde is a three-aisled Gothic basilica. Stiege’s stave church is considered the only religious building in Germany in the Norwegian dragon style.
Discover more destinations: Benneckenstein, Königshütte, Hasselfelde, Rübeland, Sorge, Elbingerode, Neuwerk, Elend.
Back to the overview of the wider destination: Oberharz Am Brocken.
