German Unity in the Harz

An idea is born
The border from Scandinavia’s Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea was once an insurmountable barrier. The Iron Curtain divided Germany into East and West. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, it became clear that valuable wilderness had developed under the protection of the border installations. Conservationists preserved these areas as the “Green Belt”, one of Europe’s largest nature conservation projects.

String of pearls
The Green Belt stretches across 23 countries and 12,500 kilometres. It connects and protects a variety of landscapes such as marshes, heaths, and forests. Together, they form one of the world’s longest “biotope networks”, providing habitats and migration routes for many animal species.

Danger imminent
In Germany, the Green Belt stretches over 1,400 kilometres with 109 habitats. However, it is under threat from agriculture and infrastructure, which cause it to become narrower. Landscape managers are working to preserve this diverse mosaic of habitats. 

The Green Belt in the Harz
Today, the Harz region also shows a new face: along the former death strip winds – rich in attractions – the life-giving Green Belt: natural beauty meets cultural treasures. Adventurous excursions go hand in hand with moments of contemplation. And you can hike to your heart’s content … through pure wilderness or in the footsteps of German history.