Discover Neuwerk

For a stay in Neuwerk, two local themes stand out: the Grasedanz, a living tradition, and the Krockstein viewpoint above the village. From there, the view extends to the Brocken and the Wurmberg. The wider Oberharz am Brocken destination offers further hiking and cultural attractions.

Grasedanz and village character in Neuwerk

In the wider Oberharz am Brocken destination, the Grasedanz is a living tradition in Neuwerk and Hüttenrode. In Neuwerk, the festival is dedicated to the hay harvest, with women playing the leading role. More than 100 years ago, women initiated the festival to recognize their work. It lasts a weekend. In both villages, the festivities include decorated birch trees at house entrances, flower baskets carried to the festival grounds by young women, a festival site adorned with flower garlands, and the drawing of a Grase Queen.

The former school building in Neuwerk is considered the village’s most imposing building and has a small, onion-shaped tower. The Krockstein viewpoint lies above Neuwerk and offers views as far as the Brocken and the Wurmberg. The building and the viewpoint thus provide two distinct points of interest alongside the cultural focus of the Grasedanz.

Hiking and culture in the wider Oberharz am Brocken destination

A moderately challenging hike leads through mixed woodland to the Krockstein viewpoint. It is 2.8 km long, with a stated walking time of 55 minutes. Check current trail conditions before setting out. Another moderately challenging route is the circular trail around the Hasselvorsperre near Hasselfelde: it is 5.5 km long and takes 1 hour 28 minutes according to the stated estimate. By comparison, the Krockstein hike is the shorter of the two routes with stated distances and times.

Hasselfelde has an extensive network of hiking trails that includes the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, nature trails and the Köhlerweg. These trails provide access on foot to local sights and excursion destinations. From Hasselfelde, you can take the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway daily to the Brocken or the Selke Valley. Check the current timetable before travelling.

The wider destination also focuses on charcoal making: at the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus, traditional earth kilns are built, fired and harvested from early April to the end of October. This offers a chance to see the historic craft in action. The charcoal-making museum gives an impression of the difficult working and living conditions of charcoal burners. In Hasselfelde, the Blumenau Museum in the Haus des Gastes presents the life and work of chemist and emigrant Hermann Blumenau through images and text. The local history room in the Haus des Gastes tells the story of the village and the lives and work of its residents. Another architectural feature in Hasselfelde is the three-aisled Gothic St. Anthony’s Church basilica.

Stiege is home to Lake Stieger See, surrounded by green meadows and forests, and the Selketalbahn’s turning loop. It is described as Europe’s smallest turning loop. Stiege’s stave church is the only sacred building in Germany in the Norwegian dragon style.

Discover more destinations

Trautenstein, Sorge, Elbingerode, Königshütte, Stiege, Rübeland, Hasselfelde, Elend

Back to the wider travel overview: Oberharz Am Brocken.