Friedrichsbrunn: Cross-country Ski Trails, Winter Paths and Local History

Friedrichsbrunn combines winter activities with local history and hiking ideas. Here you’ll find cross-country ski trails and winter hiking paths, as well as a local landmark, an exhibition about the Bonhoeffer family and a museum covering topics related to winter sports and local heritage. You can tailor your trip to whether you primarily want to spend time outdoors or include a range of cultural interests.

Compare cross-country ski trails and winter paths

During the cold season, the Bodetal cross-country skiing arena in Friedrichsbrunn offers a network of trails approximately 16 kilometres long, with three circuits of varying difficulty. Snow conditions may affect whether the trails can be used. Three named, moderately difficult cross-country ski trails differ considerably in length: the Friedrichsbrunn Loop is 13.12 kilometres, the Ramberg Trail is 8.02 kilometres and the Sonnenloipe Trail is 4.23 kilometres. The choice ranges from a longer loop to a shorter route; all three are rated moderate.

Winter hikes also vary in length and difficulty. The moderately difficult Ramberg Hike is 6.71 kilometres long, the Adlereichen Hike is 6.31 kilometres and the Gondelteich Hike is 5.84 kilometres. The 6.30-kilometre Friedrichsbrunn–Hexentanzplatz Hike and the 5.55-kilometre Friedrichsbrunn–Allrode route are rated easy. Friedrichsbrunn’s winter sports facilities also include tobogganing hills. Trail length and difficulty rating provide a useful starting point when choosing a route to enjoy together; winter conditions may affect whether routes can be used.

Exhibitions and local history

The exhibition “The Bonhoeffer Family in Friedrichsbrunn” is housed in two rooms of the Bonhoeffer family’s former holiday home in Friedrichsbrunn. Tours and seminars at the Bonhoeffer House in Friedrichsbrunn are available on request. If you’d like to take part, arrange your visit in advance.

The Ski & Local Heritage Museum Friedrichsbrunn includes a local history room and a collection about the songbirds and birds of prey of the eastern Harz. More than 250 exhibits are devoted to winter sports; highlights include a visual depiction of the history of skiing. This means that, alongside winter sports history, the museum also covers local heritage and the birdlife of the eastern Harz. Today’s Friedrichsbrunnen is a landmark of Friedrichsbrunn, adding a named local point of reference to these cultural attractions.

Hikes in Friedrichsbrunn and Thale

The hike “Through the Steinbach Valley to Friedrichsbrunn” leads from Thale through the Steinbach Valley, with its many bridges, past the Schirmbuche rest area and up to Friedrichsbrunn, around 350 metres higher. The Friedrichsbrunn hiking pin is a stamp-collecting activity in the Harz. It includes six circular hiking trails in Friedrichsbrunn. Those who collect all six stamps can obtain a hiking badge from Bodetal Tourismus GmbH. Check in advance whether the stamp booklet is currently available.

Thale also offers its own opportunities for culture and outdoor activities. The Thale Myth Trail runs from the exit of the Bode Gorge to the old town and features thirteen sculptures created by various artists. The Devil’s Wall themed hiking trail passes through Thale and takes in all the striking rock formations of the Devil’s Wall. Wendhusen Abbey was founded in Wendhusen in 825; Wendhusen is now part of Thale’s old town.

The Harzer Bergtheater is located on the Hexentanzplatz. This open-air theatre presents a programme of mystical stories, fairy tales, operettas, musicals, plays and concerts. The programme changes with the seasons. Take the chairlift operated by Seilbahnen Thale Erlebniswelt to reach the Rosstrappe rock massif, or ride the gondola lift up to the Hexentanzplatz. Check the seasonal timetables before your trip.

When looking for accommodation, you can first consider which themes you want to shape your stay: cross-country ski trails and winter paths, local history, or destinations elsewhere in the wider Thale area. This lets you choose accommodation to suit your plans without having to plan every experience in the same way.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Treseburg, Westerhausen, Altenbrak, Weddersleben, Stecklenberg, Neinstedt, Allrode.

Back to the main travel overview: Thale.