Harz National Park: a mountain wilderness shrouded in legend
Covering an area of more than 24,700 hectares, the unique and legendary mountain wilderness of the transnational Harz National Park with its breathtaking forests, misty moors and watercourses as well as spectacular rock formations is located in the centre of Germany. Here in the Harz National Park, centred around the Brocken at an altitude of around 1,141 metres, you will find a unique biodiversity with more than 7,200 plant and animal species. The Harz National Park covers around 10 % of the total area of the Harz Mountains, with 97 % of the nature reserve consisting of forest areas such as beech and spruce forests. 15,800 of the total 24,703 hectares are located in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt and 8,900 hectares in Lower Saxony. The northern edge is formed by the towns of Bad Harzburg and Ilsenburg, with the national park stretching across the highlands of the Harz down to Herzberg. The Harz National Park as we know it today was created in 2006 by merging the two national parks "Hochharz National Park" and "Harz National Park" to form Germany's first transnational national park.
Visitors to the national park are encouraged to explore the diverse mountain wilderness of Germany's largest forest national park on their own on selected hiking trails. Information centres, national park rangers and national park houses offer entertaining and informative insights into nature conservation and the philosophy of the Harz National Park.
Beautiful hiking trails and visible excursion destinations in the midst of nature make the Harz National Park a popular holiday destination for holidaymakers from all over Germany and beyond. Immerse yourself in the diverse mountain landscape and be enchanted by the beautiful sight of deciduous and coniferous forests, cliffs, moors and boulders!
Plants and animals in the Harz National Park
When it comes to animal diversity, the Harz Mountains are best known for their big five, which include the capercaillie, lynx, red deer, raccoon and black stork. With a bit of luck, you might spot some of the five animal superstars and maybe even a mouflon on an excursion through the Harz National Park. However, the European lynx is almost impossible to spot. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the lynx was considered a danger to domestic animals and was therefore completely eradicated. Between 2000 and 2004, however, it was reintroduced into the wild in the Harz National Park as part of the "Lynx Project Harz". The reintroduction of young lynx from wildlife parks appears to have been a complete success, as evidence of offspring born in the wild was already available in 2002. The capercaillie had also been extinct for 50 years. Despite numerous reintroductions, the population is not considered secure today.
The Harz moors
The Harz upland moors are particularly relevant for nature conservation and have even achieved international significance due to their distinctive flora. These are unique ecosystems that are not only of particular importance for biodiversity but also for climate protection. The Harz moors are among the oldest biotopes in the Harz and offer a special habitat for special animal and plant species. The best possible insight into the extreme moorland habitat is provided by hikes on which you can discover highly specialised plants such as the round-leaved sundew, cotton grass or various peat mosses on your own. Some of the plant species, such as the dwarf birch, have persisted in the Harz moors since the last ice age and are therefore considered to be so-called ice age relics and are among the great specialities of the moors. Due to the heavier rainfall, the raised bogs of the Harz are mainly found in the western part at an altitude of between 700 and 1,100 metres.
The Brocken: Centre of the low mountain range landscape
The Brocken is the highest mountain in northern Germany and forms the centre of the national park. As a landmark of the Harz region, its characteristic silhouette is easily recognisable from afar at a height of around 1,141 metres. Despite an average annual temperature of just 3.5 degrees Celsius and around 300 foggy days a year, you should definitely climb the Brocken summit on foot or on the Brocken railway when travelling to the Harz National Park. With a bit of luck, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the entire national park from up here. Also worth a visit is the Brocken Garden on the summit, which has been home to around 1500 plant species from various high mountain regions since 1890. The Brockenhaus also invites you to learn more about the special history and nature of the mountain. Here you can find more information about the Brocken.
Nature conservation in the Harz National Park
The task of the Harz National Park is to protect nature and preserve the near-natural area together with its ecosystems and biodiversity. To ensure that nature can continue to develop freely here, the national park motto is: "Let nature be nature".
To ensure that nature can remain nature and preserve its beauty and diversity in line with the motto, please be considerate during your visit and treat nature, plants and animals with the necessary respect. A number of rules apply in the Harz National Park, some of which should be self-evident. Don't leave any rubbish lying around, don't take anything from nature (especially berries and mushrooms) and always keep your dog (if you have one) on a lead. Smoking is not permitted in the period from 15 February to 31 October. However, lighting fires is prohibited all year round.
Hiking in the Harz National Park
The diversity of nature along with the extensive forests makes the heart of every hiker beat faster. There are numerous well-developed hiking trails in the Harz National Park, which are particularly inviting in spring or autumn and guarantee unforgettable experiences for nature lovers. Thanks to the countless excursion destinations in the midst of nature, there is almost always a sight or two to marvel at along the way, as well as wonderful views. In our extensive overview of hiking trails in the Harz Mountains, you are sure to find a route to suit you.
