Sandsteinhöhlen

In the district of Harz in Saxony-Anhalt there is a particularly mystical place. A white field the size of a football pitch stretches between pine forests. Imposing stone sand rocks rise up between fine sand. The large stone sand caves invite you to marvel, explore and rest. The perfect place for a hike. Would you like to learn more about this magical place? Then we have the right information for you.

A natural playground in the Heer sandstone caves

In the north of Blankenburg (Harz), a special cultural landscape, the Heers, stretches along. In the midst of the pine forest, you can admire the legendary sandstone caves, which extend over an area the size of a football pitch. They offer big and small explorers and climbers a huge natural adventure playground. While the little ones have a huge sandpit to dig in, the older children and adults have the opportunity to explore the rocks and the caves. A magical place that makes children's and adults' hearts beat faster.

These rocks with the adjacent pine forest are designated as a protected biotope and are and are subject to the highest European protection status NATURA 2000, which means that paths are not allowed here.

The sandstone caves in the past

A sand-covered forest clearing, large rock caves, and in the middle of it all, the Dedingstein stands lonely and alone. What was the purpose of this place in the past? It is assumed that the Germanic tribes gathered here for ritual meetings in pre-Christian times. The "Ding" or "Thing" was the name given to the court or popular assemblies of the Germanic peoples. Which could explain the name Dedingstein. During the Middle Ages, quartz sand was mined as scouring sand, the so-called Stubensand. The fine sand was used for cleaning and sanding wooden floorboards and as grit.

Hiking routes to the sandstone caves in the Harz Mountains

This place is a must for every hiking enthusiast. The hiking trails take you through pine forests, to the sandstone caves, which owe a certain Baltic Sea feeling to the white, fine-grained sand, and to sights such as Regenstein Castle and the Regenstein Mill. The hiking trails are signposted. Due to the protected status, which is close to that of a nature reserve, it is not permitted to leave the paths in order to ensure the preservation of flora and fauna.

Regenstein Fortress

One of the special sights, not far from the sandstone caves, is Regenstein Fortress. The impressive fortress with rooms carved in stone was an important and fortified castle complex. The altitude was an advantage for defence. In the early Middle Ages, a military road led along the north. Presumably this is where the name of the area Heers derives from. The first records of the castle date from 1162. The castle survived for centuries. In 1671, the Prussians converted the castle into a fortress. In 1736, the castle was severely damaged by a lightning strike. It struck the powder tower.

In between, the castle passed to the French in 1757. About a year later, the Prussians made the fortress, which they recaptured, unusable by blowing up the powder magazine. Today, only ruins of the medieval rock fortress remain. To the east, you can clearly see the white sand of the large sandstone caves between the pine trees. From 1671, the castle had a well which, at over 197 metres, was one of the deepest in the world. Unfortunately, it fell victim to demolition. Visitors threw stones and sand into the well. In 1855, the depth was only about 18 metres. In 1885 it was completely buried.

The Regenstein Mill

Southwest of the small sandstone caves, in the Heers forest area, is the Regenstein Mill, which was operated by water power. It is situated on a steep rock face and was used as a grinding and oil mill. In 1785, on the orders of the "Old Fritz", the buildings of the mill were blown up and fell into oblivion. In the late 20th century, the ruins of the mill were uncovered by researchers. The water wheels and the moat were restored. The two large, wooden waterwheels are the most prominent features of the former mill complex and were already renewed in 2013/2014. They have a diameter of 4-5 metres.

As you can see, a trip to the sandstone caves in the Harz Mountains is worthwhile. A little journey into the past and into a wonderful world of adventure. In the midst of forest, beach without sea and the impressive ruins and sand caves, you can explore and marvel at a huge area in the Harz Mountains. When will you hike to the sandstone caves?