Rising between the Weser and Elbe rivers, the Harz is the most northerly mountain range in Germany. It encompasses the 1,141-metre-high summit of the Brocken, historic castles and fortifications and several charming towns renowned for their architecture.
Ride the narrow gauge railway that leads to the top of the Brocken or follow one of the numerous hiking trails that offer sweeping views across the region. Vintage steam locomotives also haul passengers from the picturesque village of Rübeland to the health resort of Blankenburg.
Perched high atop a ridge overlooking the Selke Valley is Falkenstein Castle, a 12th-century fortification that houses a small museum and falconry. It can be accessed along the scenic touring route known as the Romanesque Road and serves as a stop on the Harzer Wandernadel hiking network.
Getting there
The Harz Mountain Range can be accessed from Goslar in the north or Göttingen and Erfurt in the south. The historic Harz Narrow Gauge Railway is one of the most popular ways of exploring the mountains while local buses connect towns and villages across the region.