Herzberg am Harz: Castle, Lake and Hiking Trails

Herzberg am Harz lies on the southern edge of the Harz Mountains and combines cultural attractions with nature experiences in and around the town. This offers several options for planning your stay: explore the history of Welf Castle, take a walk by Lake Jues or follow hiking trails around Lonau. If you are looking for a hotel, these themes can help you decide what kind of trip you would like.

Welf Castle and the Town’s History

Herzberg’s Welf Castle is more than 950 years old and the largest half-timbered castle in Lower Saxony. A permanent exhibition presents the castle’s development and uses over the centuries. In the museum in the main building wing, Herzberg Castle is interpreted both as an object of history and as a setting for Welf rule; the economic history of Herzberg is also covered. Check the access conditions before visiting the museum.

The Knights’ Hall displays portraits of former rulers and is available as a venue for concerts and lectures. If you plan to attend a concert or lecture, it is advisable to check the current programme in advance, as event offerings may change.

Hiking and Nature Around Lonau

Lonautal, a district of Herzberg am Harz, lies within the Harz National Park. The Lonau ranger station is an information point for the national park and offers films, advice from rangers and guided hikes. If a guided tour or a particular offering is important to you, check the current programme and dates in advance; schedules and programme availability may change.

Hiking trails through the Lonautal lead to destinations such as Hanskühnenburg. One specific route is the signposted 10-kilometre circular trail, Rund um Lonau. It passes mountain streams, mountain meadows and beech forests, as well as Heuerblick, a pavilion and a swimming pool. The mountain meadows around Lonau are also home to more than 50 plant species classified as endangered.

Walks, Cycling and Other Routes

Lake Jues offers a waterside walk right in the heart of Herzberg am Harz. A section of the Genuss Bike Paradies route also passes Lake Jues and the Ochsenpfuhl pond in Herzberg. The same lake can therefore be enjoyed in two ways: as a destination for a walk along the shore and as a point along a cycling stage.

The southern route of the Karstwanderweg also passes through Herzberg and is certified as a Quality Trail “Wanderbares Deutschland.” The Sieber hiking area in Herzberg am Harz has more than 50 signposted trails, covering a total of around 250 kilometres. This gives you options at different scales when planning your hikes: a single 10-kilometre circular walk or a hiking area with more than 50 trails and around 250 kilometres in total. Before setting out on a specific hike or cycling tour, it is advisable to check current trail conditions.

Discover more destinations: Sieber, Bad Lauterberg, Riefensbeek-Kamschlacken, Lonau, Osterode am Harz, Pöhlde, Badenhausen, Wulften am Harz.

Back to the main travel overview: Osterode am Harz.