Located in central Germany, this mountain range includes the 1,141-meter Brocken peak and dense spruce forests. Red deer and wild cats roam through its ancient beech woods.
Harz National Park covers 247 square kilometers across Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. From the summit of Mount Brocken (1,141m), you'll see granite cliffs and dense spruce forests stretching to the horizon. Watch lynx at the Bad Harzburg viewing station, walk on wooden boardwalks through the Oberharz moors, or take the historic narrow-gauge steam train up Mount Brocken. The park's misty peaks and deep valleys create an atmosphere that gave rise to local folklore about witches gathering on the mountain.
Geography and Landscapes
The national park runs from Herzberg in the south to Bad Harzburg and Ilsenburg in the north. The elevation changes from 240 meters in the northern areas to 1,141 meters at Brocken peak, creating distinct ecological zones. Three major rivers - the Bode, Oder, and Ilse - begin within the park boundaries. Spruce and mixed forests cover 95% of the area, interspersed with granite outcrops and fast-flowing mountain streams.
Wildlife in the Park
Since 2000, a growing population of lynx lives in the park's forests. You might spot red deer, wild cats, and roe deer while hiking the trails. The white-throated dipper hunts in mountain streams, while black storks and peregrine falcons nest in the higher areas. Above 600 meters, Norway spruce and rowan trees dominate the landscape, while beech and oak forests grow in the lower regions.
Exploring Mount Brocken
Fog shrouds Mount Brocken about 300 days each year. At the summit's Brocken Garden, established in 1890, you'll find 1,500 plant species from high mountains worldwide. The Brockenbahn steam train winds up to the peak, where a weather station and museum tell the mountain's story. On clear days, you can see up to 200 kilometers into the distance.
Hiking and Seasonal Activities
Walk the marked trails including the 10-kilometer Goethe Trail or the 100-kilometer Harz Witches' Trail. In winter, join snowshoe hikes through snow-covered forests. Park rangers lead about 2,500 guided events each year, including weekly Saturday morning hikes from Braunlage between May and October. During autumn's red deer rutting season, rangers guide visitors to safe viewing spots.
Visitor Information and Rules
Learn about the park's ecosystems at the TorfHaus visitor center's interactive exhibits. Information centers throughout the park help with trip planning. Stay on marked paths and keep dogs leashed. The park doesn't allow camping, drone flying, or plant collection. You can gather mushrooms between July 1 and October 15, but only in designated areas.
Transportation Access
Reach the park through the towns of Wernigerode, Goslar, or Bad Harzburg. Direct trains connect these towns to Hannover and Leipzig. Inside the park, the narrow-gauge railway network, including the Brockenbahn, connects major hiking trails and viewpoints.
