Westerhausen lies on the northern edge of the Bodetal holiday region. Königstein, St. Stephani and the local history museum bring different aspects of the town to life: its landscape, architectural history and local everyday life. A footpath through Westerhausen leads north to Königstein. The rock formation is considered the town’s heraldic rock and is described as unique in the northern Harz foothills. Königstein and other areas within the Westerhausen municipal district are designated as a landscape conservation area. There are also numerous sandstone rock formations in the surrounding area, protected as landscapes and featuring dry grassland and dwarf-shrub heath.
Rocky landscapes and local history
When visiting, you can focus on nature and architectural history as distinct themes. St. Stephani Church in Westerhausen dates from the 12th to the 17th century and features both Romanesque and Baroque architectural styles. At Königstein, by contrast, the rock formation takes centre stage: it can be reached via the footpath leading north and is known as Westerhausen’s heraldic rock. Königstein is designated as a landscape conservation area within the municipal district; other protected sandstone formations featuring dry grassland and dwarf-shrub heath lie nearby. Westerhausen thus brings together specific local history and a landscape that extends beyond the individual rock formation.
An account of a historical discovery is also part of the town’s history. During the great flood around 1790, when the Spültal stream overflowed here, many urns, bones and ceramic objects were found. These finds provide a distinct historical point of reference alongside the church’s architectural history and the local history museum’s collections.
Discover the local history museum
The Westerhausen Local History Museum covers around 250 square metres across two floors. It explores the town’s historical development as well as agriculture, domestic life and club life. On display are original finds from excavations in and around Westerhausen, along with changing exhibitions on local topics. Many exhibits also have labels in the local dialect—a detail that draws attention to the regional language alongside the historical objects.
A guided tour in the local dialect can be booked by calling in advance. Check current availability before your trip. This lets you complement your museum visit with a focus on language, while the exhibitions cover a range of local topics.
Westerhausen along different routes
For orientation, it is useful to distinguish between the different routes: the footpath through Westerhausen leads north to Königstein. The Romanesque Route and the German Half-Timbered House Road also pass through the town below the rock formation, as does the Harz Foreland Cycle Route. This brings together a specific footpath to the rock formation and three named routes through the town. Which of these matters for your trip depends on whether you want to focus on the short local footpath, one of the cultural routes or the cycle route.
Thale as a wider travel destination
The wider destination of Thale offers further distinct cultural and nature-related attractions. Wendhusen Monastery was founded in Wendhusen in 825; today, the site is in Thale’s old town. The Thale Myth Trail runs from the exit of the Bodetal valley to the old town and features thirteen sculptures by different artists. The Devil’s Wall themed hiking trail passes through Thale and takes in all the distinctive rock formations of the Devil’s Wall.
Thale is also home to the open-air theatre on Hexentanzplatz: the Harzer Bergtheater’s seasonally changing programme features mystical stories, fairy tales, operettas, musicals, plays and concerts. Thale is also a starting point for hikes into the Bodetal valley and the start of the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg trail. The chairlift operated by Seilbahnen Thale Erlebniswelt takes you to the Rosstrappe; the gondola lift goes up to Hexentanzplatz. Timetables vary by season, so check them before your trip. The Thale GDR Museum focuses on domestic and everyday life in the GDR.
Find accommodation to suit your travel plans
If you’re looking for a hotel in Westerhausen, first decide whether you want to focus on the church, museum and Königstein, or also include individual attractions in the wider destination of Thale. If you’re planning a guided tour at the local history museum or seasonal activities in Thale, it’s also a good idea to check availability or timetables before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Allrode, Stecklenberg, Neinstedt, Friedrichsbrunn, Altenbrak, Weddersleben, Treseburg.
View the wider travel overview: Thale.
