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Do you feel like discovering a UNESCO World Heritage Site? The Oberharzer Teiche are an attraction around the former mining town of Clausthal-Zellerfeld. Miners began building a water system of ponds, ditches and underground watercourses in 1536. Today this is the Oberharzer Wasserregal cultural monument. All the ponds and associated watercourses are listed.

The Upper Harz Ponds - Origin of the Historic Watercourses

The history of the Upper Harz water system goes back a long way. In the 12th century, Cistercians from Walkenried Monastery began to build the first water systems. As mining grew steadily, miners enlarged the ponds and ditches. From 1536 to 1866 they built a system that provided them with energy for their daily work. Some 140 ponds, 500 kilometres of ditches and 30 kilometres of underground watercourses were created. An imposing construction feat!

In order to run the mining operations optimally, the water power of the Upper Harz ponds was the elementary basis. The miners had the right to use the water, which was granted to them by the responsible sovereign. Another name for this right: the water regal. This historical significance explains the name Oberharzer Wasserregal. The Oberharz ponds have been listed since 1978. There are still a large number of ponds and other bodies of water today.

Discover a varied natural paradise

The waters of the Oberharzer Teiche offer ideal conditions for outdoor recreational activities. If you like fishing, this is the place for you. Throw your fishing rod from the bank into the water, sit down and smell the scent of the grasses-all this is possible at around 40 Upper Harz ponds. Peace and quiet and relaxation are guaranteed!
There are extensive hiking trails in the lake landscape of the Upper Harz Ponds. Pack your rucksack, put on your hiking boots and explore ancient monuments. You will find an attractive hiking route at the Oderteich.

If you like to swim in summer, you will find the best conditions in 50 Oberharz ponds.
The lake landscape around Clausthal-Zellerfeld scores with a variety of offers and leaves a lasting impression.

Oberharzer Teiche
38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld

Harzspots gives you the
Komoot Harz Region Package for free!

Use our voucher from the Outdoor Navigators Komoot and get the „"Harz Regions Package“ free of charge. From now on you can get to know all hiking and cycling routes digitally and, if you wish, also voice-guided!

Further information

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