Rübeland: Caves, Open-Air Stage and Hiking

Rübeland brings together several different highlights for planning your trip: Goethe’s historic connection to Baumannshöhle, an underground open-air stage in Goethesaal, the special features of Hermannshöhle, as well as hiking and swimming. This lets you decide whether a cave tour, an event, or time outdoors should be the focus of your trip.

Baumannshöhle: Goethe and the Open-Air Stage

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe visited Baumannshöhle several times. The cave’s largest chamber, Goethesaal, is named after him. The same chamber is home to an underground open-air stage, where theater performances and concerts are among the events held. This brings Goethe’s historic connection and today’s use for stage events together in one place. If you would like to plan your trip around a concert or theater performance, check the specific dates in advance.

Hermannshöhle: River Cave and Guided Tours

Hermannshöhle is a river cave with chambers that reach up to 50 meters in height. The cave contains Olmensee, home to Germany’s only olm population, and a crystal chamber. Guided tours last about 50 minutes. According to the schedule provided, they are currently planned at 20-minute intervals. The tour duration gives you a specific point of reference for planning your time; check the current tour times before visiting, as the intervals may change.

Hiking and Swimming in Rübeland

The moderately difficult connecting trail Himmel & Höhle starts at the Hermannshöhle car park in Rübeland. It is about 6.4 kilometers long, with a stated walking time of one hour and 50 minutes. Check current trail conditions before setting out. For a different kind of activity, the Bodeperle outdoor pool in Rübeland offers opportunities for swimming, splashing around, playing, and relaxing. Alongside the underground caves, you can therefore choose hiking or activities in the water as different trip highlights.

More Highlights in the Wider Destination of Oberharz am Brocken

Another moderately difficult hike in the wider destination of Oberharz am Brocken passes through mixed forest to the Krockstein viewpoint. It is 2.8 kilometers long, with a stated walking time of 55 minutes. By comparison, Himmel & Höhle is the longer route, at about 6.4 kilometers and a stated walking time of one hour and 50 minutes. These figures help you compare the different distances and time requirements without treating the routes as equivalent.

The traditional charcoal-making craft is another topic in the wider destination of Oberharz am Brocken. At Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus, traditional earth kilns are built, fired, and harvested from early April to the end of October; visitors can see the old craft in action. The charcoal-making museum offers insight into the difficult working and living conditions of the charcoal burners. The demonstration and the museum exhibit emphasize different aspects: the craft processes and the charcoal burners’ living conditions, respectively.

Discover more destinations: Neuwerk, Trautenstein, Benneckenstein, Stiege, Elbingerode, Sorge, Elend, Hasselfelde.

View the wider travel overview: Oberharz Am Brocken.