Harz mountain Brockenbahn railway is a narrow gauge wonder
No visit to the Harz Mountains in Germany should be considered complete without riding on the historic and thoroughly magical “Brockenbahn” railway. The Brocken narrow gauge Harz Mountain train is powered by steam engines and winds its way to the peak of the Brocken, the highest point in the Harz.
The train, in former East Germany, traces its history to the late 1800s as well as through two world wars and Soviet repression during the decades Germany was divided by the Berlin Wall. Somehow, it managed to survive. In 1992, with fully restored carriages and steam engines under the now privatized Harz Mountain Railway (www.hsb-wr.de/en) banner, it re-established a route to the Brocken summit, home of a Soviet listening post during the war. The train carries tourists throughout the day on a ride that takes a little over an hour and a half, puffing steam and smoke from Wernigerode up past Steinerne Renne, through a 70-meter (230-foot) tunnel, to Drei Annen Hohne, and then up and up, steeply grunting through Schierke and finally winding its way around the Brocken to arrive at the barren summit. The Brocken, at 1,142 meters (3,747 feet), is also the highest point in northern Germany.
Riding the Brockenbahn Railway
Your ride on the Brockenbahn railway will begin at the main Wernigerode train station, though you can also jump on the train at the Westerntor station just a kilometer distant. While you can take the train round-trip, we’d recommend just riding up and enjoying a marvelous walk down after spending an hour or so visiting at the summit. One way tickets are 23 euro for adults and 11.50 euro for children ages 6 to 11.
This classic ride begins at the main Wernigerode train station although you can also jump on the train at three other stations in Wernigerode. While you can take the train round-trip, we’d recommend just riding up and enjoying a marvelous walk down after spending an hour or so visiting the summit. One-way tickets are EUR 23 for adults and EUR 11.50 for children 6-11.
We can assure everyone that train buff or not, anyone who enjoys history and a bit of adventure will fully enjoy the picturesque scenery of the Harz as forests and meadows give way to an open, wind-swept plateau with stunning views in all directions near the Brocken summit. (Be sure to watch a our brief video about the train ride at the end of this story).
Passengers disembark from the Brockenbahn railway at the summit of the Brocken.
On the hike down on one of many superbly well-marked paths, you can head to many destinations, including Drei Anne Hohne where you can easily catch a bus back to Wernigerode,. You can also, as we did, hike all the way to Wernigerode itself. You’ll need to be in good physical shape, pack food and snacks and plenty of water, as well as appropriate clothing for weather changes, with good walking shoes a must.
Along the way, you’ll find it’s not difficult to imagine the Brocken being a meeting place for witches. Dense forests and whispering winds conjure up images of Hansel and Gretel. Goethe was so impressed with the Brocken legend that he set a scene from Faust there. And don’t forget to head into the tourist information office during your stay for your sticker depicting a witch – free with a tourist pass that comes with a hotel stay.
There is also a two-map set of the Harz in 1:50,000 scale – not quite as good for hiking. Karte 1 (Map 1) includes the Brocken line and shows paved roads, footpaths, and topographic contours along with GPS coordinates. It is available online through Amazon for $10 plus shipping or you can find the map in Germany at many larger bookstores for EUR 10.
Q110 Bank of the Future
Marienklause Chapel
Planten Un Blomen Garden
Kleinhesselhoer See, Englischer Garten
International Donaufest in Ulm
Artist's War Memorial Bethlehemkirchplatz
Jewish Cemetery at Schönhauser Allee
Cafe Anna Blume
Museum at Pankow
Sowohl Als Auch Restaurant & Coffee House
Museum in the Kulturbrauerie (Alltag in Der DDR)
Judengang (Jewish Walkway)
Oderberger Strasse Fire Station
Hotel Oderberger
Berlin Underground Tours - Gesundbrunnen station
Schiffshebewerk Niederfinow
Yumcha Heros
Gedenkstaette Mauer
Drei Annen Hohne
Wernigerode Train Station - Brockenbahn
The Brocken
Evacuation Coverage We Use
Travel Insurance We Recommend
OUR LATEST POSTS
TRAVEL INSPIRATION
For Charlotte and FoxFury, the adventure of traveling together and the wonder and joy of seeing new places, meeting new people, and learning new things is the ultimate expression of love. “I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them,” wrote Mark Twain. Fortunately, Charlotte and FoxFury have discovered they travel very well together. They have also learned that by traveling together, with patience and forgiveness, they learn to see the world differently, which is a magical thing. Who is your favorite travel companion? 👉 Tap the link in our bio for more info 👍 • • • • • #toys #teddybear #toy #teddy #toyphotography #playdate #carousel #gingerbreadman #bear #mytravelgram #travelling #traveler #travelingram #igtravel #travelblog #traveltheworld #travelblogger #instatraveling #instapassport #traveladdict #lonelyplanet #friend #friendship #bestfriend #besties #instafun
Walls offer a helping hand. With steep angles, cobblestoned streets, and lots of uneven stairs, living in Chefchaouen Morocco 🇲🇦 must be a challenge. This woman uses the beautiful blue walls as a little support to aid her transit from market to home. @OpendoorsMorocco @loves_morocco . . . . . #instapassport #aroundtheworldpix #ig_masterpiece #flashesofdelight #travelog #urbex #streetshared #weekly_feature #createexploretakeover #shotzdelight #mkexplore #gearednomad #loves_Morocco #moroccotravel #travelmorocco #moroccotrip #sonyimages #sonyalpha #sonyalphasclub #streetphoto #streetlife #streetphotographers #streetphotographer #urbanandstreet #lensculture #urbanphotography #streetlife_award #street_photo_club #streetshot #morocco
Penguins are always so cute! Here on the back wall of the narrow Richard Gamble Memorial Park, you find this mama and her baby watching you. Step off the N street car from downtown San Francisco in Cole Valley and you are suddenly in a different, neighborly world with great restaurants and coffee houses. Try it some time! And go visit the penquins in the park too. @visitcalifornia @onlyinsf. . . . . . #streetart #streetartphotography #Penguins #urbanwalls #SFstreetart #urbanart #muralsdaily #instapassport #aroundtheworldpix #ig_masterpiece #flashesofdelight #travelog #urbex #streetshared #aov #weekly_feature #createexploretakeover #shotzdelight #mkexplore #gearednomad #california #streetsofsf #igerssf #onlyinsf #sonyimages #sonyalpha #sonyalphasclub #thecreative #travelon
Ready for Christmas? We are! Among our favorite Christmas Markets in Berlin is this one surrounding the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church, with a nifty over-sized wood "pyramid." Another is the Red City Hall ("Rotes Rathaus") market near Alexanderplatz. There's a flyover by Santa a few times a night (sssh, his sled is on a wire), an ice skating rink, German comedians doing ice shows, as well as all the food and hot mulled wine you desire. Of course, hot mulled wine is standard fare at all markets. Traditional, normal-sized pyramids are made of wood and the heat from candles turn them, usually with a few little wooden figurines moving in a dance and maybe a few bells tinkling too. To learn which the are the best Christmas markets in Berlin, be sure to check out our story here - http://bit.ly/berlinchristmasmarkets @visit_berlin . . . . . #instapassport #thecreative #artofvisuals #aroundtheworldpix #ig_masterpiece #theprettycities #flashesofdelight #travelog #mytinyatlas #visualmobs #theglobewanderer #forahappymoment #exploringtheglobe #travelon #awesome_earthpix #ig_deutschland #diestadtberlin #berlinstagram #berlinstyle #ig_berlin #christmas #christmasdecorations #merrychristmas #christmastime #christmaslights #festive #christmasart #winter #visit_berlin #berlinpage
Passing in the night. The Bab Homar medina gate in Asilah Morocco is a busy place all day long since it offers pretty central access from markets to the old town. It's also a tourist magnet with its impressive structure. Oh, and cats love lingering on the steps too. Read more about Asilah in our story here: http://bit.ly/visit-asilah @loves_morocco @opendoorsmorocco. . . . . . #HITravelTales #Longexposure #Nightphotography #travelphotos #moroccan #tanger #marocaine #maroc #morocco #chefchaouen #asilah #Atlantic #longexpo # #travelpics #beachtown # #ic_longexpo #Medinagate #BabHomar #mohammedia #loves_Morocco #moroccotravel #travelmorocco #moroccotrip #sonyimages #sonyalpha #sonyalphasclub #longexpoelite #traveldiary #travelphoto #thereseiknoian
Michael Hodgson
Latest posts by Michael Hodgson
- Pack a sleep travel kit to help you sleep when traveling - October 22, 2019
- Helena Great Northern Hotel – the best hotel in Helena Montana - October 15, 2019
- 48 hours in Helena Montana: Visit Helena an unheralded treasure - October 1, 2019
