Wernigerode: The German Hogwarts in the Harz Mountains

Are you also a fan of Harry Potter and his adventures around the magical Hogwarts Castle? Then we have good news: You can easily experience the world of the sorcerer’s apprentice – and not in a book, but in real life.

Do not you believe? Then we recommend a trip to Wernigerode in the Harz Mountains. Even if the real Hogwarts is not here, of course, it is very reminiscent of the magical fairytale world from the world-famous books.

Strolling down Westernstrasse – something like Wernigerode’s Fifth Avenue – on a sunny day could easily give the impression of having stumbled into one of the Harry Potter books. Because the half-timbered houses, some of which are centuries old, have a really magical charm. Cafés are lined with small shops, and I would have no hesitation in describing the imposing town hall on the market square as the most beautiful I have ever seen. With a little imagination you could think you were actually in Hogsmeade, the place where the magic students in the books arrive every year on the Hogwarts Express.

Magic castles and snowy owls

And towering above all this, visible from afar, is Wernigerode Castle with its numerous towers and oriels. It is actually amazingly similar to Hogwarts. About 50 of the 200 imposing rooms can be visited today after you have mastered the short but challenging ascent to the Schlossberg. If you don’t want to or can’t walk, you can take the Wernigerode Bimmelbahn up there, a small excursion train on wheels. From the castle you have a spectacular view of Wernigerode and the surrounding countryside. There is an even better view after a short climb to the Agnesberg above. From here you can see the castle, the city and the countryside.

The 10 best theme parks in Germany
Things to do in Dresden / Travel Guide
The best doner kebab in the 10 largest cities in Germany
Oldies but Goldies: The 12 oldest cities in Germany

In the immediate vicinity you can also hike very nicely, for example via the Annaweg to the Christianental wildlife park, a kind of wilderness zoo. “Harry Potter” fans will probably particularly notice the snowy owls, which are reminiscent of Hedwig from the novels. But there are also deer and wild boar, but I looked for the wild cats and the lynx in vain. If you just want to take a break in beautiful nature, you can stop off at the forest inn.

The Hogwarts Express in the Harz Mountains

Hiking enthusiasts can also take a tour of the Brocken from Wernigerode. At 1141 meters, the highest mountain in the Harz Mountains was traditionally the main meeting place for all witches in Germany. If you don’t want to walk here, which can take several hours or even half a day, depending on the starting point and personal fitness, simply take the Brockenbahn up. The nostalgic train is pulled by a real steam engine and is therefore strongly reminiscent of the Hogwarts Express that Harry Potter and his friends use. When hiking, you can often see its plume of smoke from afar before you see or hear it yourself.

The Brocken itself is quite a pretentious beauty and rarely grants its visitors a clear view from its top. But if you do, you can see up to 100 kilometers away. I took the train down to the valley after puffing on my own. The ride was a very nice experience. I was a bit shocked by the prices. A return trip costs 49 euros for adults, a one-way trip is still 33 euros. The carriages have a nostalgic charm and in good weather you can even stand outside and enjoy the landscape rushing by. The most exciting part is the ride in the car behind the locomotive. Here you will be fogged with dense steam at every start. With its whistle, which can be heard from afar, the locomotive also inspires the hearts of older children. The route network of the Harz narrow-gauge railway also includes other trains and even takes guests to the World Heritage city of Quedlinburg.

Hike over Schierke

Incidentally, a very nice hiking route on the Brocken leads via the small town of Schierke. The route is a bit steep and rocky in parts, but the approximately 6-kilometer ascent is rewarded with great panoramas and a nice rest at the Eckernloch refuge. The tracks of the train cross your own hiking trail here, so with a bit of luck you can also take a Facebook envy photo. Schierke itself is also worth a visit. Here, for example, you can visit the house where the pharmacist Willi Drube invented the herbal schnapps “Schierker Feuerstein”, which is now legendary. A visit to the Brocken baker, who spoils his guests in the 5th generation, is also worthwhile.

If you are looking for an adventure away from the mountains like in a fantasy book, you can visit the stalactite caves in Rübeland. These are around 380 million years old and were carved into the rock by the waters of the Bode River for eternity. A guided tour takes visitors to the imposing Baumannshöhle, where theater performances take place regularly and where you can even get married. It also goes to the Herrmannshöhle, where, with a bit of luck, you can see the bizarre grotto olms. No less impressive are the numerous rock formations that the water has formed. The skeleton of a long-extinct herbivorous bear can also be seen here. It is best to come in the high season, otherwise the Hermannshöhle is closed because bats hibernate here for the winter. At 9.00 euros for adults, the price is relatively steep in my opinion. But it’s really worth it.

Action and adrenaline

Action and adrenaline are also not neglected when you visit the Rappbodetalsperre. Here you hike over the steel suspension bridge, which sways quite menacingly high up above the valley and Germany’s highest dam. But the beautiful view is always worth the thrill. If that’s still not enough for you, you can also book ziplining or similar crazy activities here. But make sure to reserve these in advance, because the attractions of the “Harzdrenalin” company are in great demand all year round: When I visited in February, there was a massive rush.

Great prospects

Another great hike starts very close by from the “Zur Bode” inn, parts of which lead through the picturesque Bode Valley. If you follow the path in the direction of Altenbrak, you will reach the romantic town of the same name after just a few kilometers. It is crossed by the Bode River and lies in the wooded slopes like a village from a fairy tale. Steep slopes of slate rock line the shore path here. And again and again you come across barred old tunnels from long-abandoned mines, some of which go back to the times of the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48).

Incidentally, you can also drink the water from the Bode without hesitation if you get thirsty on the way. If you then follow the path in the direction of Roßtrappe/Thale, you will reach a mountain trail again via a short but very steep climb. This leads through dense forest and over great panoramic views to the Roßtrappe, a top-class vantage point.

This majestic rock rises high above the town of Thale and offers a view of the rough, rugged landscape of the Bode Valley. You will certainly not soon forget this sight at sunset. If you don’t want to walk that far, you can also get to the Rosstrappe directly from Thale, either on foot or by cable car. Incidentally, directly opposite the Rosstrappe is another famous place, the Hexentanzplatz, because there is probably nowhere else in the Harz Mountains as busy as here on Walpurgis Night, when more than 10,000 witch and magic fans make the pilgrimage to the mountain for a wild party.

A lot of program for little money

Another argument for a holiday in the Harz Mountains: The local transport network is absolutely sensational with numerous buses, so that, especially from a city like Wernigerode, you can even get to the smallest, most distant nest – in addition, every guest who is in a participating Stadt im Harz, received a booklet of vouchers from his host, with which he can use the buses for free for the entire duration of his stay. If you want more and have a few days to spare, you can also buy the “Harz Card”, which gives you reduced or even free admission to over 120 different attractions – including churches and monasteries, castles and palaces, but also thermal baths or even train rides.

And even if I have already mentioned it elsewhere, I would like to point out the Harzer Wandernadel once again – a great opportunity to collect stamps at various points during excursions into the wonderful nature of the Harz Mountains, in order to then exchange them for awards such as ” Harzer Steiger” or “Wanderkönig”. Anyone who collects all 222 stamps distributed throughout the Harz Mountains can even call themselves “Harzer Wanderkaiser” from now on – by the way, there is no time limit for collecting, the sole aim here is to awaken the fun of movement.