Holiday in Harz National Park

About Harz National Park

The Harz National Park protects around 247 square kilometers of the rugged and mystical low mountain landscape of Germany's northernmost mountain range. Since the merger of the Harz and Hochharz National Parks in 2006, the protected area extends across the states of Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. The centerpiece is the Brocken at 1,141 meters — the highest peak in Northern Germany and a legendary site of Walpurgis Night. The landscape impresses with ancient spruce forests, bizarre granite rock formations, misty high moors, and wild romantic stream valleys. The national park is one of the largest forest national parks in Germany and allows for natural forest development over large areas. Visitors experience how the forest of the future emerges from itself — a fascinating natural spectacle. Over 600 kilometers of hiking trails traverse the park, including the popular Goethe Trail to the Brocken and the Heinrich Heine Trail. The Brocken Railway of the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways has been steaming to the summit since 1899 and is one of the most spectacular railway experiences in Germany. In winter, cross-country ski trails, toboggan runs, and snowy winter hiking paths offer Nordic charm. The national park is home to rare species such as the lynx, which has been successfully reintroduced here, as well as black storks, peregrine falcons, and the rare Brocken anemone. The National Park House in Wernigerode and ranger-led tours provide deep insights into this unique ecosystem.