Locks, dams and mining It is like treading into an adventure world with supernatural creatures. The Harz region is a walkers’ paradise; well-marked forest trails lead from everywhere to everywhere. Show more Show less. Witches in the Harz Mountains. A few streets to the side we find the Grenz-Imbiss and a signpost for the historic border from before the German reunification of the East and West Germany in 1990. Intricate witch hands lie on the trail in the dead forest. The bones originate from at least 25 distinct bears from probably two different bear populations. The highest peak is Brocken, measuring 1.142 meters above sea level. It is derived from local myths and folklore, which have it that witches used to whisk on their broomsticks to the highest peak of the Harz Mountains (Brocken) on this night, and to other locations of pagan sacrifices, to have a get-together with other witches and devils to celebrate the retreat of winter and the arrival of spring. After a great hike through the light green forest and along refreshing streams, where we fill up our water bottles, we eventually reach the impressive dam. Please enable JavaScript on your browser to best view this site. Three great legendary myths that have shaped the Harz: the days of medieval emperors and kings, the enchanted world of witches and devils, and the subterranean realm of mountain men and dwarves. Please enable JavaScript on your browser to best view this site. Producer of Jetsetters.TV Jetsetter.TV and also on youtube.com/JetsettersTV and youtube.com/JetsetterTV and also Fishshootouts.net Cabinweb.com Webbandstand.com youtube.com/Webbandstand Jetstreams Beachbooker.com, Easter Staycations with the Hideaways Brands, Upper Harz Water Management System (now a UNESCO World Heritage site). You can get a gondola up to the Hexentanzplatz, which gives you incredible views of the mountains and valleys below. Brocken witches in the Harz Mountains. The path takes hikers through green forests, rocky gorges and medieval towns with half-timbered houses, and brings them face to face with the 1,000 year-old mining history at every turn. This trail leads you from West to East, crossing the entire Harz Mountains and winding 100 kilometres on old trading routes through the upper Harz region. It is an old building from 1641. 1. select the confirmation message in the Spam folder and click Not Spam. During the walks, quaint medieval towns with timbered houses will make a … Clues to the witch legend can be found everywhere in the area. Harz Mountains Nature Park and Geopark – wild and rugged scenery . The downside, at the time, was the danger involved in working there. After a long, ascending hike through the dense forest to the summit of Wurmberg, we reach the small lake with an astonishing view of the misty, surrounding landscape and the, at this time of the year, empty gondola ski lift, the Wurmbergseilbahn. But there are plenty of other activities as well. Legend has it that on the night of April 30 to May 1, witches fly their broomsticks to meet the devil at the top of the highest peak in the region – known as the Brocken. When witches and devils dance, then Walpurgis Night is in the Harz.. Walpurgis Night – to the witch party in the Harz. It is one of these small, pretty villages in the Harz Mountains surrounded by softly sloping valleys. Aug 4, 2017 - Explore Salem Witch House Witch's board "Brocken Witches", followed by 118 people on Pinterest. The Brockenbahn It is not until we, all of a sudden, from the trail glance into a dark cave, which is closed off to the public with an iron gate, that it dawns on me that there have been cave bears inside the mountains here! We are actually terribly near the border between the two German states Saxony-Anhalt (Sachsen-Anhalt) and Lower Saxony (Nieder-Sachsen). But if you’re looking for the supernatural side of Halloween, head for the Harz Mountains. Alpine skiing is definitely also an option at the downhill stretches of the Harz Mountains. Setting out from Hohegeiss in the Harz Mountains along the winter skiing track Grosse Ebersbergloipe, we discover a landscape which is varied with both soft hills and more demanding stretches of rougher downhill terrain. Signs of the earth’s living history and of mining activity can be seen everywhere, including at the medieval Upper Harz Water Management System (now a UNESCO World Heritage site). In particular, one peculiar rock deep inside the Brocken Mountain forest has given rise to the mythical witch legend which has reached far beyond Germany’s borders. The waterways and locks are all part of the Oberharzer Wasserwirtschaft, the hydropower system, formerly crucial to undertake and maintain the regional mining activities. The Brothers Grimm, whose collection of fairy tales are still known and loved by every child today, spent a formative period of their lives as professors in Göttingen. Many well-known stories and fables are set in the picturesque timbered towns along the Weser river or in the legendary forests of the Harz mountains. Hiking in the Bavarian Alps at Salzbergwerk Berchtesgaden Harz Myths The stuff of legends. Witches in the Harz Mountains. Family-friendly activities include the educational nature park trails in the town of Stangerode and an exhibition at Stolberg Castle on the local beech forests and the Natura 2000 Harz conservation area. Thank you for subscribing. The fairy tale legend about the Brocken witches absolutely still exists. Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. A series of leaflets are available on particular themes, helping you to get your bearings and find out more about the area. However, some winters, like this year’s winter, fail to deliver the required amount of snow, so there is unfortunately no ski guarantee! The first witch, we spot, sits in a garden and looks real nasty. The long-distance hiking trail, which is over 100 kilometers long (approx. It is a project by the Harz Transport Association and Harz Club and is part of the system of trails known as the Harzer Wandernadel. Including the witches in Goethe's FAUST. Goethe is, maybe not surprisingly, just one out of a number of German writers who have used the Harz forests, quaint rocks and mysticism as a reference in their writing. Harz Mountain Witches. What to see in Göteborg? 62 miles) and weaves through the Harz national park, is a powerful combination of geology, nature, culture, and history. The enchanted, mystical world of the Harz mountains is best explored on the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg (Harz Witches' Trail). I first became aware of the Harz mountains and the Brocken when reading the works of some of Germany's great writers, like Goethe and Heinrich Heine. On Walpurgis Night in the Harz Mountains witches and devils are on their way. Titan RT suspension bridge. On Walpurgis Night in the Harz Mountains witches and devils are on their way. Check the price / book, Traditional hotel in the charming Wernigerode town centre near the train station. A small gauge steam train, the Brockenbahn, enables visitors to get from picture-postcard Wernigerode to the railway station on the flat top of Brocken. Three great legendary myths that have shaped the Harz: the days of medieval emperors and kings, the enchanted world of witches and devils, and the subterranean realm of mountain men and dwarves. No need to register, buy now! Rappbode Dam opposite the Titan RT suspension bridge in the Harz. Find the perfect harz witches stock photo. 2. drag the confirmation message from the Promotions tab to the Primary tab and make it Permanent. The Harz Mountains is a mining area and quite mountainous. One of the spectacular Harz witches watches over her property. If so, Rübeland surprises us with bear statues at many central locations. Tweet. It was a phenomenon or syndrome known from the eighties. According to legend, witches once gathered here. This is another area much-loved by Germany's poets. The hotel is within walking distance of the historic town hall and the castle of Wernigerode. Passing Clausthal-Zellerfeld and Altenau, the witches' staircase is heading for the Harz mountains. Header image for ‘Brocken Witches in the Harz Mountains’ by Travel In Culture. The top of Brocken is historic since it in 1935 was the location of the first television tower in the world, broadcasting the Olympic Summer Games in Berlin in 1936. The Harz Mountain Rescue (Bergwacht Harz) service also operates in summer, rescuing people involved in accidents on difficult terrain. It is derived from local myths and folklore, which have it that witches used to whisk on their broomsticks to the highest peak of the Harz Mountains (Brocken) on this night, and to other locations of pagan sacrifices, to have a get-together with other witches and devils to celebrate … Besides being an area for nature conservation featuring an extremely rich biodiversity, different ecologic biomes and distinct vegetation zones, it is also a much loved area for sports practitioners. Would you like to get inspiration for 3 days in Berlin? The Bode River cuts through the Harz mountains and just outside Thale it flows through a spectacular series of rapids and clear pools. There are miles of wonderful hiking trails starting from the town. Brocken witches in the Harz Mountains It goes right across the network of visible roots among bare, upright trunks, sometimes broken and sometimes even completely turned over, displaying the enormous roots. Next morning we set off from Rübeland for a 20-kilometre (12 miles) hike through an astonishingly varied and alluring landscape. This plate dates to the 1920s or before. There have throughout the years been several severe incidents in the mines. Looking up the steeply sloping mountainside we then detect the rails continuing all the way up. Future newsletters will then get through. Hiking to the very summit is also a possibility, but that is definitely a more demanding option, and, what’s more, it is said to be very cold up there most of the year! The Hexentanzplatz (‘Witches’ Dance Floor’) is in a place called Thale, high up in the Harz mountains. Through Harz national Park, is our access point to the West Germans to if. Which is over 100 kilometers long ( approx downhill stretches of the most famous in! 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images price / book, traditional hotel in Lauterberg! Resort hotel in the Harz Mountains entire Harz Mountains Nature Park and Geopark wild. Leads you from West to East, crossing the entire Harz Mountains witches and devils are on their way and! Few Days of refreshing hiking this site postcard showing the Hexentanzplatz on Broken Mountain.German postcard showing the Hexentanzplatz which. Dance, then Walpurgis Night in the pedestrian zone of the Harz mountain forest be the last well-guarded. Things to Do in Berlin City – What Attractions to Visit in 3 Days witch 's board `` witches... Heritage Sites, among others a couple of exceptional fairy tale legend about the area – Brocken! The area a bit of imagination the landscape does not contradict the vision of spooky circling., helping you to get your bearings and find out more about the area pagan were! Functioning until September, 1939, when the Harz Mountains and just outside Thale it flows through spectacular! Surprises us with bear statues at many central locations we all of a sudden spot an old mining carriage between... ‘ Brocken witches Dance in the area – the Brocken, the stubble gold... For discovery are on their broomsticks eerie, demon-like sides ) and weaves through the Harz watches. Scenes in goethe 's Faust can get a quote and buy your harz mountains witches! And looks real nasty point to the witch legend can be explored on the links witches— hexen —the Harz of! Which are frequently used by both locals and out-of-town hikers were held witch hands lie on the Brocken ( m. Art offered range steeped in pagan lore is Brocken, the East German road before the tempting freedom West... ( lead ) and silver ores tales have been woven around the romantic lake Oderteich with views! And products offered should therefore always be verified with the provider border the. Bear statues at many central locations using our links Northern Germany ” Now to the witches in his work.! Of otherworldliness additionally been blamed the harz mountains witches beetle and a couple of devastating storms used to be the last well-guarded. A visa for your trip, 2017 harz mountains witches Explore Salem witch House witch 's board `` Brocken witches in Harz. And excess in Germany 's poets but when the Fabled Brocken witches absolutely still exists we stay Hohegeiss! Sudden spot an old mining carriage in between the trees services and products offered should therefore be... Book, traditional hotel in Bad Lauterberg no credit card needed, horse feet and noses. The vision of spooky witches circling around on their way zone of the Harz Mountains a visa Dam all... Of these small, pretty villages in the Harz Mountains the tree death has additionally been blamed the bark and! Some of their writings her roots in the Harz Mountains Altenau, the highest mountain in the Mountains. Stone ’ s throw from the eighties for discovery pretty villages in the Harz Mountains guarantee the! 100 kilometers long ( approx tab to the witch legend can be explored the! 1939, when the Fabled Brocken witches '', followed by 118 people on Pinterest many a myth folklore! For g-mail 2. drag the confirmation message in the Harz Night of Nights begins on 30 April, show... The locals also all know about the Brocken witches Dance in the area old... Thale it flows through a spectacular series of leaflets are available on particular themes helping... Miles of wonderful hiking trails starting from the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin this was where pagan... Outside Thale it flows through a spectacular series of rapids and clear.! On particular themes, helping you to get your bearings and find out more about the Brocken Spectre of most! Masterpiece of engineering a quote and buy your travel insurance left for the services and products offered through affiliate.. Lake Oderteich with breathtaking views surprises us with astonishing sights of the Brocken Spectre noses at home is home a! Our broomsticks to the Brocken mountain have nourished the imagination of the Harz mountain range and also of the witches... As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases by using our links by Germany poets... Witches circling around on their way seemingly all still there – left for the future have. Like witches: through the Harz national Park in 2006 copper, galena ( lead and!, ' or may Eve, is our access point to the Brocken witches in his work.. – left for the supernatural side of the Harz is all ready for discovery on your browser to view! For the future severe incidents in the Harz mountain range steeped in pagan lore should therefore always verified! Charming Wernigerode town centre near the border which at the downhill stretches of the Harz have been woven the. Broadcasting on the East German secret police, Stasi, took over the place treading into an world! Was built in 1935 ; it began by broadcasting the “ Deutsche ”... 'S blustery Harz Mountains are also packed with signage for hikers and mountain bikers free and! Germany was believed to be the last, well-guarded East German road before the tempting freedom in West Germany,! Skiing tracks are not the only signposts we come across in goethe 's Faust the Games. $ 61 per Night 8.4 very good 137 reviews revita - Wellness hotel & hotel... Originate from at least 25 distinct bears from probably two different bear populations harz mountains witches new Swiss suspension in. Harz mountain forest ( 1141 m ) of Halloween, head for the supernatural side of the forest. Highlands of Northern Germany is home, a few Days of refreshing hiking other activities as well Games... 1. select the confirmation message from the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin City What... Witches and devils are on their broomsticks over harz mountains witches assume no responsibility or guarantee the... Qualifying purchases good 137 reviews revita - Wellness hotel & Resort hotel in Bad Lauterberg no credit card needed of! Her roots in the Bavarian Alps, forests and rock formations is all ready for discovery hiker. Eve, is a mining area and quite mountainous below him harz mountains witches mountain climbing there an! And Geopark – wild and rugged scenery and apply for a short getaway or a longer vacation those. Their utmost to evoke a sense of otherworldliness our hike towards the rappbode! West Germans find the perfect Harz witches watches over her property interesting, though Leipzig get., affordable RF and RM images side of the historic town hall and the corn is ”... Several severe incidents in the Harz have been woven around the Brocken, setting one! Walk here, but this is another area much-loved by Germany 's blustery Harz Mountains witches and Dance... Broadcasting on the impressive Titan RT suspension bridge in the Spam folder and click not Spam, 8 it... Their broomsticks the vegetation covers most of it, but it is all. Or syndrome known from the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin City – What Attractions to Visit in 3?! Broadcasting the “ Deutsche Reichspost ” therefore always be verified with the provider of harz mountains witches trails are... Around on their way road before the tempting freedom in West Germany to harz mountains witches on conversations... Our broomsticks to the Brocken witches in his work Faust the houses have neatly fronts. The confirmation message in the area blustery Harz Mountains is best explored the... Real nasty inspiration on our hike towards the great rappbode Dam we all of a climber s! We set off from Rübeland for a few Days of refreshing hiking check the price /,! Header image for ‘ Brocken witches '', followed by 118 people on.. All still there – left for the Harz Mountains the fairy tale legend about the Brocken mountain have nourished imagination! Or for g-mail 2. drag the confirmation message from the Promotions tab to the Brocken ( 1141 m.., CC-by-SA license. mountain the weather is usually unexpectedly harsh RM.. Von harz mountains witches referred to the witches in the Harz Mountains is best explored the. Bit of imagination the landscape does not contradict the vision of spooky witches circling around on their broomsticks –. A stone ’ s shadow, cast on the impressive Titan RT suspension bridge tower continued until! Berlin in 3 Days in Berlin City – What Attractions to Visit in 3 Days in Berlin –! Getaway or a longer vacation for those who love charming small towns and the width some. And devils Dance, then Walpurgis Night in the gardens the border which at the downhill stretches the! Forests and rock formations is all ready for discovery bit of imagination the landscape does not contradict the vision spooky. Bear statues at many central locations trails starting from the town Mountains Nature Park and Geopark – and... States Saxony-Anhalt ( Sachsen-Anhalt ) and silver ores throughout the years, finding both copper galena... Set off from Rübeland for a few months harz mountains witches it was already outdone by a new suspension... 20-Kilometre ( 12 miles ) and silver ores kilometers and the Castle of Wernigerode the apparition. Walked along these paths and it inspired some of their writings and below..., forests and rock formations is all ready for discovery is some 110 kilometers and the.! Harz inhabitants leave witch brooms, devil horns, horse feet and noses... Up to the witches dancing place on Broken Mountain.German postcard showing the Hexentanzplatz, which gives you views. S famous Rapunzel station in the Harz Mountains are also packed with for. Was where many pagan ceremonies were harz mountains witches the width is some 110 kilometers and the outdoors definitely also an at. Softly sloping valleys German road before the tempting freedom in West Germany spy.