2_0_DiscoverGermany_July 2015_Issue28:Scan Magazine 1
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Harz Mountains A magical mountainous landscape in the heart of Germany Regardless of the time of year, the Harz Mountains are home to a wealth of experiences, creating a whirr of excitement across all generations like few other regions. With over 9,000 kilometres of paths and trails, outdoor lovers can wander through this breath-taking wilderness, formed of ancient forests, deep valleys, gushing rivers and rich mountain meadows. TEXT & PHOTOS: HARZ MOUNTAINS TOURIST BOARD
The Harzer-Hexen-Stieg (The Witches Way), a particular favourite, is ranked among the ‘Top Trails of Germany’, and has been awarded the esteemed ‘Qualitätsweg Wanderbares Deutschland’, testament to its appeal to hikers. Measuring around 100 kilometres in length, the trail connects Osterode in the southwest and Thale in the northeast, weaving hikers across Harz’s diverse landscape. More adrenaline-fuelled sports like mountain biking and climbing draw a younger crowd to Harz, and there are around 70 marked mountain bike routes to suit all abilities. For the ultimate
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downhill kick, head to the bike parks in Hahnenklee, at the Wurmberg in Braunlage and Thale. While the rugged rock formations of the Oker and the Steinbach valley attract climbers looking for a more authentic climbing experience, the adrenaline-boosting climbing facilities in the Harz region are no less demanding, craving both endurance and technique as you scale their ten-metre walls. But for a complete vision of this spectacular region of the Harz, nothing beats an exploratory tour for a close encounter with
the region’s culture and history. Think picturesque, historic half-timbered towns, countless relics from the mining era, spiritual places and the traditional Harz narrow-gauge steam railway, which breathes life into the mountain panorama. “Of outstanding universal value,” was the conclusion drawn by the UNESCO committee as they selected three sites within the Harz, bestowing the UNESCO World Heritage Site title on the following sites: the Old Town in Goslar with the Rammelsberg silver mine, the Upper Harz Water Management System and the Old Town of Quedlinburg as well as the Luther Memorials in Eisleben. Mining and the city – searching for traces in Goslar Also known as the old imperial city, the old town of Goslar unites with the Rammelsberg mine and the Upper Harz Water Management System to form one distinc-