fotoweberei, Luca Weber | CC-BY

In the Harz, blooming mountain meadows, rugged cliffs, wide views, peaceful valleys and gentle hills alternate. As Germany's northernmost low mountain range, the Harz is home to many different habitats. Rare plant species grow here, and many animal species find suitable refuges. It’s worth exploring this diverse landscape – always with the awareness of protecting it at the same time.  

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Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
Albert Einstein

In the Harz, you’ll find a wide variety of protected landscapes. Alongside the Harz National Park, five nature parks, the Karst Landscape South Harz Biosphere Reserve and the UNESCO Geopark Harz–Braunschweiger Land–Ostfalen shape the area. Together they form a wide network of national natural landscapes that stretch across the entire Harz.  

fotoweberei, Luca Weber | CC-BY-SA

fotoweberei, Luca Weber | CC-BY

Franziska Döll, Biosphärenreservat Karstlandschaft Südharz | CC-BY

fotoweberei, L. Weber | CC-BY

© Adobe Stock, Marcus Hofmann

Visible from afar, the Brocken, at 1,141 metres, is the highest peak in the Harz Mountains.

As a major attraction, the Brocken offers many opportunities for experiences. Whether you hike up on foot or take the Brocken Railway – with a bit of luck, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Harz. However, the summit is often shrouded in mist, which makes a visit no less magical.

On the Green Belt, you can hike along the former inner-German border and experience traces of recent history. If you're interested in travelling close to nature, you should turn to the partners of the Harz natural landscapes. In addition, the initiative “The Forest Calls” provides information about the current forest situation in the Harz, while the campaign “0% Waste – 100% Harz” draws attention to the issue of litter in nature and invites you to treat the landscape with care.

fotoweberei, Luca Weber | CC-BY