Upper Harz: Discover Water Management, Mining History and Nature

In the Upper Harz, striking reminders of historic water management meet mining history and a landscape of ponds, meadows and forests. This makes the region an appealing place for all kinds of discoveries: you can follow the World Heritage hiking trails outdoors, explore mining history on a guided tour, or delve into it at a museum. When planning your trip, it helps to decide first whether you are more interested in the landscape and water management or in mining history and culture.

Experience water management and the landscape

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Harz Water Management System comprises 107 historic ponds, a total of 310 kilometres of ditches and 31 kilometres of waterways. These figures give a tangible sense of the scale of the historic system. The World Heritage hiking trails wind through a landscape of ponds, ditches, mountain meadows and forests, with abundant wildlife adding to the experience. Information panels along the way share facts about the World Heritage Site and add insights into its history to the experience of nature.

A special event is UNESCO World Heritage Day in the Upper Harz, held annually in early June. The programme includes special guided tours and a variety of events. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the specific event dates in advance.

Discover mining history on site

An experience tour starts at the Ottiliae Shaft World Heritage Monument and includes a guided tour of the site of the former central hoisting shaft. Machinery demonstrations bring the technology to life as part of the visit. The iron headframe at the Ottiliae Shaft is also remarkable: built in 1876, it is the oldest surviving structure of its kind in Europe.

This way, you encounter mining history not only as the subject of an exhibition, but also at historic sites and on a guided tour. If you are interested in technical details, the experience tour offers a different focus from a hike through the landscape. Both approaches explore the World Heritage Site in different ways, without requiring you to plan the same outing.

Clausthal-Zellerfeld: museum, city walk and culture

In the wider destination of Clausthal-Zellerfeld, the Upper Harz Mining Museum offers an in-depth look at the history of ore mining. Founded in 1892, it traces the development of mining from the Middle Ages until it ended in 1930. Visitors can explore the above-ground and underground workings of the show mine; a reconstructed mine shaft also brings mining history vividly to life.

The freely accessible grounds of the Kaiser Wilhelm II Shaft include an exhibition on the technology and history of the Upper Harz Water Management System. Another distinctive building is the “Zum Heiligen Geist” Market Church, Germany’s largest wooden church. At the World Heritage Information Centre, a 3D landscape model with video projection helps visitors get their bearings; the exhibition covers around 170 square metres.

The Robert Koch city walk visits places associated with his youth, including his birthplace, the church where he was baptised and his former school. Allow around 2.5 hours for the walk, not including a visit to the Upper Harz Mining Museum. The BRAUakademie offers another activity for groups: in Clausthal-Zellerfeld, groups of four or more can brew their own beer under the guidance of master brewers.

Choosing becomes easier when you know which experiences you want to shape your trip.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Altenau, Wildemann, Schulenberg im Oberharz, Liebenburg, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Lutter am Barenberge, Goslar, Seesen.

Back to the main travel overview: Goslar.