Austbergturm

As part of a mountain range near Benzingerode, the Austberg has long been a popular destination for hikers and adventure-seekers. After all, the elevation can be recognised from some distance away, and it is not least the Austberg tower that attracts numerous hikers with its interesting history, but above all the fantastic view. The tower, built with shell limestone and plaster mortar, is 12.5 metres high, has a diameter of around 4.4 metres and walls 1.2 metres thick. It once served as a signalling tower and now offers a wonderful view of the northern foothills of the Harz Mountains.

The Austberg tower in the Harz Mountains - almost 800 years of history

Many hundreds of years ago, the Austberg was already considered an important landmark in the Harz Mountains, as the tower clearly demonstrates. It was built in the middle of the 13th century and was once part of a defence system of the local nobility. It is said to have been the counts of Regenstein who had the tower built as a signalling system, in which function it presumably served for many decades or even centuries.

It is above all the location of the Austberg that makes it so interesting for such a structure. It is part of a mountain range anyway, but still towers above it, allowing a comprehensive overview of the surrounding regions. The hill is up to 40 metres above the rest of the landscape, which meant that the tower could be used to identify intruders of all kinds very quickly. With the appropriate signalling fire, a huge area in the Harz Mountains could be protected.

Unfortunately, the tower outlived its actual purpose and from the late Middle Ages at the latest, the Austberg Tower in the Harz is said to have been left to decay. Around the turn of the millennium, hardly anything of the former structure was still recognisable, which is why the conservationists set about breathing new life into the tower. Between 2006 and 2009, the tower was renovated, which not only extended the original foundations, but also added a roof. Since then, the tower has once again been a popular destination for holidaymakers and tourists.

View and hike to the Austberg tower

In addition to the interesting history, a trip to the Austberg Tower is, as you might expect, particularly worthwhile for the fantastic view that rewards visitors after climbing a total of 44 steps to a height of 9.2 metres. The view extends both over the foothills of the Harz Mountains and towards the Brocken, with the surrounding deciduous forest always presenting a varied picture throughout the year.

The ideal starting point for a hike to the Austberg tower is the car park at the village church in Benzingerode. From there, follow the well-signposted hiking trails up to the Stapenberg, then continue towards the Austbergturm. There is also a stamping point for the Harz hiking pin directly at the tower (stamp 83). Alternatively, you can extend the tour and hike on to Altenburg Castle (stamp point 84) after the Austberg Tower.