Hasselfelde: Forest Lido, Hiking Trails and Charcoal-Making Tradition

Forest, water and charcoal-making tradition shape different sides of Hasselfelde. The forest lido and an extensive network of trails sit alongside museums, a distinctive church and experiences connected with the old craft of making charcoal from wood. When choosing your accommodation, consider which of these themes you would especially like to shape your stay.

The Forest Lido and Trails Around Hasselfelde

The Hasselfelde Forest Lido has a 10,000-square-metre swimming pool surrounded by woodland and fed by pure spring water. The lido also has a diving tower and a large sunbathing and play area. This brings water, a place to relax and a space to play together in one location.

You can also explore the surrounding area on foot: the network of hiking trails includes the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, nature trails and the Köhlerweg. These trails can take you to sights and destinations in the area; the Carlshaus observation tower is also reachable on foot. The routes mentioned offer different points of interest, from nature trails to a path associated with charcoal-making.

A specific connection runs between Hasselfelde and Trautenstein along a purpose-built cycle path. You can enjoy a leisurely walk from Hasselfelde to Trautenstein along this route, with no significant inclines. When planning, you can distinguish this route description from finding your way around the extensive network of trails: here, the start and end points and the character of the route are specified.

Charcoal-Making, Museums and the Church

Charcoal-making is a recurring theme in Hasselfelde and the surrounding area. At the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus, visitors can learn about the traditional process of turning wood into charcoal. From early April to the end of October, traditional earth kilns are built, fired and harvested there, bringing the old charcoal-maker’s craft to life. The Charcoal-Making Museum explores the history of the craft and gives an impression of the difficult working and living conditions of charcoal burners.

The nine museums of Pullman City Harz nearby offer a different perspective on history. They look back at the history of the 18th and 19th centuries. In Hasselfelde itself, the Blumenau Museum in the Haus des Gastes presents the life and work of chemist and emigrant Hermann Blumenau through images and text. Also in the Haus des Gastes, the local history room tells the story of the town and the lives and work of its residents. The subjects therefore range from the history of a craft to an individual biography and local history.

St. Anthony’s Church can be seen from all the entrances to Hasselfelde. It is also a three-aisled Gothic basilica. Its prominent position and architectural form make it a distinctive landmark as you explore Hasselfelde.

More to Discover in the Oberharz am Brocken Region

The wider Oberharz am Brocken travel region has more places and themes to explore. The descriptions of two hikes can be compared using their listed details: a moderately difficult, 2.8-kilometre hike leads through mixed woodland to the Krockstein viewpoint; the stated walking time is 55 minutes. The moderately difficult circular trail around the Hasselvorsperre near Hasselfelde is 5.5 kilometres long, with a stated duration of 1 hour and 28 minutes. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Stiege also brings landscape and culture together. Lake Stieger See lies in the centre of the village and is surrounded by green meadows and forests. Stiege Stave Church is the only religious building in Germany in the Norwegian dragon style. Stiege’s railway heritage includes the turning loop, which is part of the Selketal Railway and is described as Europe’s smallest turning loop. In Neuwerk, the traditional Grasedanz festival is dedicated to the hay harvest.

From Hasselfelde, you can take the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways to the Brocken or through the Selke Valley every day. If you would like to include this option in your trip, check the current timetable before travelling. This means that, in addition to trails and cultural sites, you can plan destinations linked to the railway without treating them as the same as the attractions directly in Hasselfelde.

The stated walking times and route details help you compare hiking options by their described length and duration; for other destinations, such as the rail connection, the relevant timetable is the next step in planning.

Discover More Destinations

Sorge, Neuwerk, Benneckenstein, Elbingerode, Trautenstein, Elend, Königshütte, Rübeland

Return to the main travel overview: Oberharz Am Brocken.