Discover the Oderteich: a hiking paradise in the Harz for the whole family!

Discover the Oderteich: a hiking paradise in the Harz for the whole family!

When the sun is shining and the sky is blue, many hikers are drawn to the Oderteich in the picturesque Harz. This idyllic place is not only a popular destination for locals, but also for tourists who want to relax in nature. As soon as you arrive from Braunlage, which takes about an hour and covers 60 kilometers via Autobahn 36 and Bundesstraße 4, you can look forward to the adventure ahead. The Oderteich, created in 1715, is one of the oldest reservoirs in Germany and was the largest dam in the country until the end of the 19th century. Created as part of the mining industry, it is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage and invites you to visit all year round, especially on sunny days, as t-online.de describes.

The circular hike around the Oderteich, which is around four to four and a half kilometers long, is ideal for families with children. The hike takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and runs over different surfaces, from narrow boardwalks to root paths. During the walk you can observe the exciting development of the forest: dead spruce trees stand next to young trees and the transition from the spruce forest to the mixed forest can be experienced impressively. Especially in summer, bathing areas on the east and west banks invite you to linger, even if boating and stand-up paddling are not permitted. However, little explorers should be careful: Wheelchairs and strollers find it difficult to get through the sometimes impassable areas, which are, however, doable with slight difficulty even for less experienced hikers, as you can read on nationalpark-harz.de.

Nature experiences in the Harz

The nature around the Oderteich offers rich experiences for young and old. During a walk you have the opportunity to observe different species of animals and plants and enjoy the silence of the surroundings. The Oderteich dam is another highlight that not only works historically, but also in terms of landscape. Along the way you also have the opportunity to discover various stamp points as part of the Harz hiking pass, which offer additional incentives for hikers.

If you want to see more of the Harz after your tour, you shouldn't miss the Brocken. The highest peak in the Harz at 1,141 meters is not only geographically interesting but also culturally significant. Many poets such as Goethe and Heine visited the Brocken and were inspired by its raw beauty. Today the Brocken is a popular destination for hikers, who are rewarded with a unique view of the surrounding area. Hikers are also in demand here, as public transport is not permitted on the Brocken and the Brockenstrasse can only be accessed with a special permit. So if you're looking for adventure in harmony with nature, the Harz is the right place for you. You can find out more about the hiking trails to the Brocken at harzinfo.de.