Discover Thale: Trails, Cliffs and Culture

Discover Thale as a destination with hiking trails, rocky landscapes and culture. The Thale Myths Trail leads from the entrance to the Bode Gorge to the old town; there are also the rock formations of Devil’s Wall, the Harz Mountain Theatre and hikes into the Bode Gorge. The chairlift takes you to the Rosstrappe, while the cable car ascends to the Hexentanzplatz. When choosing accommodation, it helps to first consider whether you want to focus your stay on hiking, culture or a mix of the two.

Old Town, Art and History

The Thale Myths Trail is a themed walking route from the entrance to the Bode Gorge to the old town of Thale. It features thirteen sculptures created by various artists. The route therefore puts the connection between exercise and artistic themes in the foreground. A historical point of interest is Wendhusen Abbey: it was founded in Wendhusen in 825; today, Wendhusen is part of Thale’s old town. The Thale GDR Museum is dedicated to domestic and everyday culture in the GDR. The subjects covered thus range from an early monastic foundation to everyday culture in the GDR, offering different options for a cultural day in Thale.

Hiking Trails and Rocky Landscapes

The Devil’s Wall themed hiking trail passes through Thale and takes in all the distinctive rock formations of Devil’s Wall. This sets it apart from the Myths Trail, with its artistically designed sculptures: here, the rocks are the focus, while the other route is a themed walking trail leading to the old town. Thale is also a starting point for hikes into the Bode Gorge and for the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg trail. You can choose the focus for your day accordingly: sculptures and the old town, the distinctive rock formations, or hikes connected with the Bode Gorge and the trail.

Another activity is offered by the Bodetal Bike Park in Thale. Mountain bike descents there run from the Rosstrappe into the Bode Gorge; high speeds and jumps are part of riding over rough and rocky terrain. The mountain railways provide access to other destinations: the chairlift takes you to the Rosstrappe rock massif, while the cable car carries you up to the Hexentanzplatz. Their operating times vary by season, so it is advisable to check the timetable before your trip. You can consider hiking, mountain railway rides and mountain bike descents as different focuses for your stay.

Open-Air Theatre at the Hexentanzplatz

The Harz Mountain Theatre is an open-air theatre at the Hexentanzplatz. Its programme includes mystical stories, legendary fairy tales, operettas, musicals, plays and concerts. It therefore features a variety of performing arts, and the programme changes with the seasons. If you would like to include a performance in your travel plans, check the programme for your travel dates. Along with the GDR Museum and Wendhusen Abbey, the theatre adds another cultural perspective.

In the wider Harz destination

Beyond Thale, the Harz offers further nature and culture themes. Harz National Park covers 24,732 hectares and accounts for around ten percent of the entire Harz region. Its visitor facilities include eight visitor centres and national park houses with information about the park, hiking tips, exhibitions and film screenings. The national park also offers guided hikes and excursions with rangers, experts, national park guides and national park forest guides. You can check dates and offers for your planned travel period.

The Harzer Wandernadel also draws attention to the wider region: it connects 222 stamping points across the Harz. Anyone who collects all 222 stamps earns the title “Harzer Wanderkaiser” (Harz Hiking Emperor). This region-wide collecting challenge differs from the individual themed trails in Thale and can be an additional consideration for hikers planning a trip.

Discover More Destinations

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

Back to the main travel guide: Harz.