Harz National Park
Harz National Park
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
364 reviews
Excellent
239
Very good
82
Average
23
Poor
13
Terrible
7
Rosymog
Neath Port Talbot, UK20 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
We went walking in the National Park as part of a trip with Walks Worldwide. What a disappointment. This was sold as a beautiful area with stunning views. It certainly is not. Thousands of acres in this park are devastated by disease. Trees are dead and the area looks as if a nuclear bomb has exploded. UK has far more to offer than this particular trek. Would not visit again. It will probably take at least 25 years if not longer to recover. It was depressing.
Written September 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mariejose24
Ribe, Denmark31 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Sad. All the birch trees are sick and the forests are slowly disappearing, leaving only yellow bare mountains behind. And there seems to be no solution to this natural catastrophe. It feels a bit like being on holiday in a post war scenery - quite depressing. Also, if you don't speak German you won't be able to find any information about hiking routes, facilities and so on. The locals are not particularly friendly or service oriented either.
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lorrainepaul60
Wakefield, UK66 contributions
Jul 2017
An historic steam locomotive built in the late 1800s took us up the Brocken, the Harz Mountains highest peak. Truly breathtaking views once up on the top, but very cold! There is a very small cafe with toilets, it serves a limited choice of hot food and drinks. We had the brockwurst sausage with chips which was tasty and a welcome snack meal especially as it was so cold up on the mountain top even in July!
The Harz Natioal park is a swathe of deep forests and beautiful scenery, good for walking and hiking. L believe it is also popular with skiers in the winter. You can get on or off the train at several little stations on the way up or down.
The Harz Natioal park is a swathe of deep forests and beautiful scenery, good for walking and hiking. L believe it is also popular with skiers in the winter. You can get on or off the train at several little stations on the way up or down.
Written July 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keystone_Traveler
Malvern, PA3,038 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
The Harz Mountains are full of hiking trails and walking paths for all types of people. Some paths are rugged ; many are paved. Get a good map or ask around for assistance in determining the best route to ascend the Brocken, a must hike when in the region. The Brocken is the highest point in Northern Europe. We parked our vehicle in the village of Stierke, located southeast of the Brocken. Not only does the Brocken offer hikers a nice hike, the mountain offers interesting microclimates, flora, fauna, and history. Do your research (I think the write-up on Wikipedia does a great job summarizing the Brocken) on the Brocken before you ascend. We were fortunate with the weather during our June hike; high cloud cover but the views were still decent. Remarkably cooler on top. Shorts were necessary at the base (sweating on the way up), but about 10 C on top and a brisk wind. Pack a windbreaker and hat in the summer! The summit has a hotel, weather station, and restaurant. Great spot to eat a bratwurst and have a beer! History buffs who are interested in Cold War history will find this place interesting as the Brocken was near the border of West and East Germany. Both the Soviet Union and East Germany placed listening devices and radios on the summit for espionage purposes. Historical signs and information about this is posted around the summit. Literature fans, especially of Goethe will find a connection with Brocken. Goethe mentions the Brocken in Faust. The entire Harz region abounds in witch folklore. Of course, one is able to take a steam train up the Brocken. It may not be the Alps; however, walking around the Brocken is refreshing and exhilarating, and offers outdoor enthusiasts much to enjoy.
Written July 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gjlse546
Shrewsbury, UK94 contributions
Jul 2013
If you've driven all the way here from the UK, the scenery is mainly disappointing. Pine forests and hills really and that's about it. Some of the towns are reasonably pretty. The trails are fairly-well marked out and the old East/West Germany historical elements are quite interesting with the order border post and museum dotted about. The Brocken is a total let-down and a tourist rip-off hotspot.
Incidentally, most of the drive through Germany to get here is exactly the same. There is nothing to see. I would liken the experience to driving from Scotland for a holiday in Leicestershire (no offence to anyone living in Leics btw). You can get to far more interesting places in Europe than this for the same distance travelled.
Average at best.
Incidentally, most of the drive through Germany to get here is exactly the same. There is nothing to see. I would liken the experience to driving from Scotland for a holiday in Leicestershire (no offence to anyone living in Leics btw). You can get to far more interesting places in Europe than this for the same distance travelled.
Average at best.
Written August 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
revcole7
Ipswich, UK241 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
The Harz mountains around Wernigerode offer excellent high level walking within the forest. The paths are well sign posted with very clear routes and distances given. You are never too far away from civilization although it is easy to imagine you are on some remote forested ridge!
I recommend using a decent map - the Buch map 'Der Mittlere Harz' (Brown edged) is ideal for the area and at 1:30 000 series gives plenty of detail, but these are not as good as the UK's OS series and if you want to make the route up on the move I highly recommend a compass.
Great walking and on our last venture in the rain we discovered no less than three Fire Salamander lizards.
I recommend using a decent map - the Buch map 'Der Mittlere Harz' (Brown edged) is ideal for the area and at 1:30 000 series gives plenty of detail, but these are not as good as the UK's OS series and if you want to make the route up on the move I highly recommend a compass.
Great walking and on our last venture in the rain we discovered no less than three Fire Salamander lizards.
Written June 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrevorSandra
Maldon, UK10 contributions
Dec 2012 • Friends
Brilliant trip organised by Great Rail Journeys. Visited lots of markets and historic towns plus riding on the steam railway to the top of the highest mountain. Visited caves as well and stayed in a lovely hotel. Amazing how everything runs when it is snowing. Meet lots of new friends as well, plus the locals are lovely as well.
Written January 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ThoseWhoWander11
Hartford, CT240 contributions
May 2023
A German friend had told me there were some issues with an invasive bark beetle, but I was unprepared for miles and miles of dead trees. It really impacted my experience of the park, as much of it is no longer beautiful bit looks like a scene from a dystopian film. This isn't the park's fault of course, but I would personally choose to spend my vacation time somewhere a little less depressing.
If you do not speak German, be aware that this area is really geared towards German tourists and not foreigners. Do not expect people to speak English at tourist attractions, for signage for parking to be clear, or for there to be any English translations available.
I sincerely hope this park can recapture its former legendary beauty in the future.
If you do not speak German, be aware that this area is really geared towards German tourists and not foreigners. Do not expect people to speak English at tourist attractions, for signage for parking to be clear, or for there to be any English translations available.
I sincerely hope this park can recapture its former legendary beauty in the future.
Written May 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VanGerven
Veldhoven, The Netherlands348 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
This was the second time me and my husband visited this area. Last year we stayed in Hahnenklee and this year in Clausthal. Both stayed were lovely but totally different. Last year we had lovely weather ( 1st week of May) , this time we had lots of snow ( last week of April). We enjoyed both though and the countryside is beautiful both ways. It is a great area for walking, visiting villages and enjoying the views from the mountaintops.
We hardly ever go back to the same area for vacations, but I am sure this won't be the last time for us in the Harz. We enjoy the beautiful countryside, friendly people and lovely food too much.
Must do when in the Harz: Wernigerode, Thale ( both the Rosstrappe and Hexentanzplatz), Wurmberg seilbahn, eating out in one of the many local restaurants, walking up the Brocken ( or by steamtrain if you prefer), enjoy the woodlands, etcetera.
We hardly ever go back to the same area for vacations, but I am sure this won't be the last time for us in the Harz. We enjoy the beautiful countryside, friendly people and lovely food too much.
Must do when in the Harz: Wernigerode, Thale ( both the Rosstrappe and Hexentanzplatz), Wurmberg seilbahn, eating out in one of the many local restaurants, walking up the Brocken ( or by steamtrain if you prefer), enjoy the woodlands, etcetera.
Written May 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
steamwolf1948
Norfolk, UK98 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
This is a wonderful area, with little villages seemingly unchanged since medieval times. A plethora of half timbered buildings, no two the same in shape, style, of size, gives the feeling of having walked into a film set for Snow White. Wernigerode has a surprising number of excellent shops, with lots of little specialist shops, and mouth watering chocolate shops.
Don't miss out on the cafes in the Market place, and allow plenty of time just to wander round the town.
The park is full of walking routes and cycle ways, all seemingly well marked, and accessible by train as well.
This is an area of Germany which seems to be off the 'tourist routes' but it is a wonderful place, and should be on everyone's list to visit.
Don't miss out on the cafes in the Market place, and allow plenty of time just to wander round the town.
The park is full of walking routes and cycle ways, all seemingly well marked, and accessible by train as well.
This is an area of Germany which seems to be off the 'tourist routes' but it is a wonderful place, and should be on everyone's list to visit.
Written November 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can someone recommend a beautiful lake here?
Written January 29, 2019
Can someone recommend a beautiful lake here?
Written January 29, 2019
There are so many and most of them are dams , I recommend really all of them, as they are beautiful and all unique in their own ways
Written January 29, 2019
We are planning to visit in August. Do you recommend the TBE vaccination for hiking on the trails in the Harz national park? We have read that ticks have become a problem in some parts of Germany.
Written July 15, 2016
We did not have this shot and had no problems! If you are hiking there are trails so you don't have to walk through brush.
Written July 30, 2016
is there camping inside the national park? where exactly is it?
Written June 8, 2015
hello what is the nearest town to the n.p and is there camping near to the N.p please
Written June 8, 2015
There is a very nice camping in Bad Harzburg-Göttingerode, at "Goldberg". Only two hundred meters from very fine wood, small rivers and less people!
Written September 14, 2015
Jeg vil gerne vide, om man i egen bil kan køre til Bloksbjerg, eller skal man tage toget.
Written May 5, 2015
Can anyone tell me what to do best in this park? We are a family of four and love hiking!
Written February 28, 2015
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