Dankerode: Discover Nature and History

Dankerode combines relaxation in and with nature with distinctive traces of architectural and regional history. The village is an officially recognized resort and is considered by locals and tourists alike as a starting point and destination for relaxation and recreation in and with nature. You can approach planning your trip from different angles: focus on nature experiences or explore individual historical details. Dankerode comes especially to life through its church heritage, the nature experience station on the Luther Trail and the Harz Nudist Trail.

Churches with Distinctive Heritage

The choir-tower church in Dankerode has a tower base, its oldest architectural element, dating from the late Romanesque period. This is a specific indication of an early phase in the church’s construction. The “Seiger Bell,” dating from the 13th century, belongs to the Church of Our Lady in Dankerode. These two details highlight different things: one dates an architectural element, while the other tells the story of a bell. Those interested in architecture will find a precise point of reference in the tower base; the Seiger Bell complements it with an object clearly dated to a particular century.

From the Heuweg to the Harz Nudist Trail

The “Heuweg Dankerode” nature experience station is located on the Luther Trail and is paved with slag stones. These stones are a by-product of the copper smelters in the Mansfeld region. The paving itself thus offers a starting point for a story about the origin of materials: here, the nature experience can be connected with the copper-smelting industry of the Mansfeld region.

The 18 km Harz Nudist Trail between Dankerode and Wippra offers a different focus. It opened in May 2010 as Germany’s first official nudist hiking trail. The features described are clearly distinct: on the Heuweg, the paving stones and where they came from catch the eye; on the Harz Nudist Trail, it is the length and the trail’s distinctive purpose. If you plan to hike the Harz Nudist Trail, check the current access requirements before setting out.

Harzgerode as a Distinct Regional Highlight

The wider travel destination of Harzgerode includes other attractions that are separate from Dankerode. The 1,100-metre natural toboggan run in Harzgerode winds down in several curves from the Harzgerode plateau into the Selke Valley, ending at the promenade in Alexisbad; it descends around 75 metres. When there is too little snow, the route is also suitable for a winter hike. At the HARZKUGELEUM in Harzgerode Castle, a beechwood ball travels with visitors through different themed worlds. Through its shape and weight, it conveys information about the Lower Harz, mining, nature, and local and regional history. The HARZKUGELEUM has seasonal opening hours; check the times before your visit.

The Harzgerode Advent Trails are another seasonal attraction: an annual pre-Christmas experience for the whole family, held in Harzgerode on the second Sunday of Advent. Dates and programme vary. As well as nature and history, Harzgerode therefore offers a winter experience and a recurring Advent event.

Choose Your Accommodation Search Focus

First, consider whether you want Dankerode, with its nature and local history, to shape your stay, or whether you would also like to include the distinct experiences in the wider Harzgerode area.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Güntersberge, Siptenfelde, Schielo, Neudorf, Alexisbad.

Back to the wider travel overview: Harzgerode.