Osterode lies between the Sösetal Dam, the National Park village of Riefensbeek-Kamschlacken, the South Harz karst mountains and the Lerbach Valley. Within the old city wall, history is revealed in many preserved half-timbered houses. In the old town, the buildings stand close together, while above the city stand the ruins of the Welfen Castle and the St. Aegidien Church. In the town centre, you’ll find churches, small cafés, restaurants and shops that invite you to stroll around at a leisurely pace. On the Kornmarkt, the regional weekly market takes place every Tuesday and Saturday morning.
The town and its districts attract hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers. From Osterode, the gateway to the Harz, several long-distance hiking trails start: the roughly 94-kilometre-long Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, the Harzer BaudenSteig and the Harzer Försterstieg.
In the surrounding area, you can explore the Climate Education Trail Water at the Sösetal Dam or walk through the town forest with its forest bird station. The Lerbach Iron Ore Nature Trail leads to old tunnels and mines, and at the Hanskühnenburg you can enjoy a great view with a cosy mountain hut. You’ll also find varied trails and opportunities for nature observation along the Karst Hiking Trail in the South Harz gypsum karst landscape.
