Lautenthal between mining history and hiking trails

Lautenthal combines a long mining history with trails through the Harz landscape. This gives you two different main focuses when planning your trip: learn more about mining underground, or explore the area's hiking options and seasonal activities. You can also encounter traces of the mining past in the townscape and at traditional events.

Experience mining underground

Mining in Lautenthal dates back to the early 13th century. At the Lautenthals Glück Mining Museum, this history is brought to life with a visit to an originally preserved silver mine: the mine train takes you underground, where a mine guide explains how mining has changed over time. Another highlight is the chance to sail an ore barge yourself.

The ore barge trip travels along a navigable waterway underground and is about 110 metres long. The mine itself, explanations of the development of mining, and the journey along the waterway are all part of a single, connected visitor experience. If you choose Lautenthal primarily for its history, the museum offers a concrete insight into this mining town.

Historic traces in the townscape

Mining history shapes more than just the underground attractions. Parts of the Upper Harz Water Management System have been preserved or restored in Lautenthal; the system is also known as the Upper Harz Water Regale. The World Heritage mining trail also explores local mining history: it passes Dennert fir trees with explanations of mining in the area, and continues to the site of the Harz pump set and a water adit.

The houses are also part of the townscape of the Upper Harz mining towns. Lautenthal has numerous houses with the typical Harz timber framing, some of which are listed buildings. If you are interested in cultural heritage, you can pay attention not only to mining history but also to the town's architecture and appearance.

The Miners’ Thanksgiving Festival is a living tradition. It is held every year in late February or early March to commemorate the mining tradition, and includes a church service and a Tscherper breakfast. The exact date can vary from year to year. If the festival is the reason for your trip, check the date before making plans.

Hiking trails and guided tours

Lautenthal has a network of around 200 kilometres of hiking trails. The town also provides access to the Volksbank Arena Harz trail network. The mining trail provides a specific starting point: it begins and ends at the car park by the Lautenthal Tourist Information Office. The Dwarf Hiking Trail begins and ends at the Tourist Information Office itself. The stated start and end points of these two trails therefore differ in their precise descriptions.

The mining trail combines a hike with explanations of mining sites and technical installations. If you would rather focus on a guided tour, options include herb walks as well as evening and torchlight walks. These tours provide information about the plant life and landscape of the Harz. Dates may vary, so check them if you are planning a particular tour.

Seasonal activities

In winter, Lautenthal has groomed cross-country ski trails. This adds a seasonal activity to hiking; conditions on the trails depend on the snow cover. At the Innerste Reservoir, located nearby, activities in and on the water take centre stage. The soft, cool water is suitable for swimming, sailing, surfing, rowing, fishing and pedal boating. Which activities are possible, and under what conditions, may vary by season.

This gives you a way to distinguish between the options when deciding on your trip: mining history and designated hiking themes shape the activities in Lautenthal, while the cross-country ski trails are an option in winter and the nearby reservoir offers additional water activities. Before planning a seasonal activity around a particular date or set of conditions, check what applies.

Discover more destinations: Bredelem, Wolfshagen in the Harz.

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