The Harz
With its vast forests, steep mountains and deep valleys with wild rivers, reservoirs and rocks, the Harz is a unique nature reserve where many rare plants and animals can be found. Traditionally an ideal holiday destination, both in summer and in winter, with an extensive network of hiking and cycling trails with 74 mountain bike routes and UNESCO world heritage (both industrial and medieval cities and castles).
In winter you can go skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
At 200 meters from Das Okerhaus is the “Tourist Office” where you can find all information about the Harz and the activities.
Just further down the same street you will find cozy restaurants where delicious (vegetarian) dishes are served and, like everywhere in the Harz, for reasonable prices.
The village of Altenau
Altenau is a small mountain village in the middle of the HochHarz, created by the silver mining industry. In the last century, tourism became important because of the beautiful mountain scenery and the many hiking trails.
There is a (free) natural swimming pool (Waldschwimmbad) between the hills and a wellness center “Kristall Therme Altenau”. The largest herb garden in Europe (Kräuterpark) can also be admired here.
Altenau has a beautiful old wooden church, a bakery, a supermarket, a number of restaurants and a beer brewery!
Excursions in the Harz
Because Altenau is beautifully centrally located in the Harz, Das Okerhaus is the ideal base for hikes, cycling tours, mountain biking in the immediate vicinity or excursions in the entire Harz and surroundings.
As a change it is possible to visit cozy places such as Goslar, Wernigerode, Osterode, Bad-Harzberg, Ilsenburg, Quendlinburg. Or a little further away; Göttingen or Leipzig. With the steam train to the top The “Brocken”.
Mines of interest to explore: Grube Samson in St. Andreasberg, Kupferhütte Mansfeld, Rabensteiner Stollen and Rammelsberg near Goslar (UNESCO World Heritage). In Rammelsberg and Laurenthal you will find mining museums that appeal to the imagination.
A visit to one of the many beautiful (dripstone) caves in the Harz is a must. Children in particular find a tour through such a cave system quite an experience. Caves open to the public: Barbarossa, Baumanns, Daneils, Einhorn, Heimkehle and Hermanns.
Activities
