Ottofelsen

The Ottofelsen or Otto Rock is a granite rock formation located in the low mountain range of the Harz. It is 36 m high and has been dedicated as a natural monument since 1964. The rock stands at around 584 m above sea level, so the total height is 620 m above sea level. The upper viewpoint is easily accessible for hikers via ladders. Alternatively, the rock can also be climbed or used for bouldering and climbing. The woollen sack structure typical of a granite rock formation is ideal for this and also makes climbing easier for beginners. Ottofels has a total of 58 different climbing routes, 27 of which are available for beginners in difficulty grades up to V. The view from Ottofelsen over the Harz mountains is breathtaking. In good weather, you can see the Brocken, Wernigerode and the Harz foothills. An important piece of information for frequent hikers: the rock is registered as No. 27 in the system of stamping points for the Harzer Wandernadel - this can also be a reason for a detour to the rock. The Ottofelsen is about 3 kilometres from Wernigerode - more precisely the district of Hasserode - and also 3 kilometres from Drei Annen Hohne. Incidentally, the rock is named after Prince Otto zu Stolberg-Wernigerode. He was deputy to Chancellor Bismarck from March 1878 to 20 June 1881. From 1885 to 1888 he was Minister of the Royal Household. In addition to his political career, he held numerous offices, for example, he was chairman of the Central Committee of German Associations and the Prussian Red Cross Society.

Accessibility of the Ottofelsen

Ottofelsen can be reached from Hasserode via the Steinerne Renne. This is the wild and romantic river section of the Holtemme in the northern part of the Harz low mountain range. Another hiking route leads from Hasserode via the Thumkuhlental valley to the Ottofelsen. Here you can take the circular route via Thumkuhlental and the Steinerne Renne. Another way to reach the Ottofelsen is via a beautiful hike starting from the Harz plateau. One option is to use the path from the Drei-Annen-Hohne National Park House. This leads along the Harzklub hiking trail 55E and the dandelion discovery trail, which is part of the Harz National Park. Beforehand, the Hohnewiese with its striking, ancient oak tree is crossed. After the dandelion discovery trail, the hike passes the HohneHof nature experience centre. The HohneHof is a mediator between cultural landscape and wilderness and offers numerous opportunities to experience, discover or simply enjoy nature. The national park rangers provide information about hands-on activities, beautiful hiking tours and also offer hikes through the Harz National Park themselves. A path leads directly from HohneHof to Ottofels.

Further hiking opportunities in the Harz Mountains

Those interested in hiking can undertake many other exciting hiking tours in the low mountain range of the Harz, e.g. on the Goethe Trail in the direction of the Brocken, through the Ilse Valley past the lower Ilse Falls to Plessenburg Castle, through the Eckerloch to the Brocken summit, around the large Torfhaus Moor or even a circuit around Bad Harzburg. You can find more hiking routes in the Harz here.

Other excursion destinations in the Harz Mountains

In addition to hiking and climbing, the Harz Mountains offer many other excursion destinations. For example, the towns of Wernigerode and Quedlinburg. Quedlinburg, with its historic old town and rich collection of half-timbered houses, has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1994. In the Western Harz, Goslar is well worth a trip. The town is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Rammelsberg Mine, Old Town of Goslar and Oberharzer Water Management". Another highlight in the Harz mountains is a trip on the Harz narrow-gauge railway. Steam trains run regularly between the small towns of the eastern Harz up to the Brocken. This makes day trips possible - also combined between hikes and train rides - for example from the "Steinerne Renne" station to Ottofels.