Magical Harz Mountains
Located in the heart of Germany, just behind the former East-West border, the Harz Mountains combine a fairytale landscape consisting of deep woods, rolling hills, lonely fields and hilltop castles with majestic steam locomotives.
Storming up mighty Mount Brocken behind a rugged 2-10-2 tank engine or an archaic 0-4-4-0 Mallet is on the Bucket List of most railway enthusiasts. What makes this destination so appealing for first-time visitors or seasoned veterans alike is the intensive pattern of daily, year-round operations. Known as 'Plandampf' in Germany, the Harz narrow gauge railways operate public steam trains on a vast network measuring 140 km in size and range. In reality, the Harz system is the amalgamation of three separate sub-sections, the highlight of which is the spiralling line to the summit of Mount Brocken, Northern Germany's highest point at an elevation of 1141 m above sea level. On a clear day, the 360 degree views from the top are breathtaking, but even with limited or no visibility at all, the summit is a stunning location with intense pride of place.
Filming or photographing the arriving steam trains at the summit station can be particularly rewarding, as is listening to the sound of the hard-working machines, as they battle the gradients.
Best of all, the Harz Mountains are a location for all four seasons, although the colours of autumn or deep snow of winter are the most dramatic. For these reasons we are always keen to offer travellers multiple departures to the Harz Mountains at various times of the year. In 2021, we offer these opportunities to combine the Harz with other Highlights of Eastern Germany, such as Saxony, Berlin or the Baltic Coast. Here is a complete overview of our 2021 travel dates:
Highlights of Germany, Harz Mountains, Saxony and Baltic Coast
Highlights of Germany in Summer - Steam in Berlin and the Harz Mountains
In addition to railways, the region has a rich cultural heritage with historic towns and quaint villages, including Wernigerode with its colourful, timber-framed houses, Halberstadt with its soaring spires and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Quedlinburg. To get a feel for the architecture and cityscape of these places, feel free to gaze at these evocative images:
To see just how tough winter can be on the rolling stock and steam locomotives in the Harz Mountains, check out this clip of the famous "Frozen Locomotive" 99 234 at the Brocken Summit in January 2019.
Thankfully, the locomotive was back in traffic just a few weeks later and did not sustain any significant damage from the ice.
To form your own, personal impressions from the Harz Mountains, join us on one of our future tours there. Our holidays offer the perfect balance between railways, nature, culture and leisure. We always use centrally located, quality hotels near the Wernigerode steam shed and town square, allowing you to maximize opportunities for sightseeing or photography. Our visits to the region give you full access with multi-day rover tickets or private charter trains. See for yourself, whenever inspiration strikes.
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