Camping Harz – picturesque landscapes, interesting sights and charming villages.
Are you still undecided about where to go on your next vacation?
Then the beautiful Harz Mountains have everything your heart desires!
Whether you prefer the warm summer months or the cold winter months, in the Harz Mountains you will find a variety of sights and camping adventures to suit every taste.
The best way to travel is with a rooftop tent, so you are super flexible in how you spend your days.
Whether with your partner or the whole family with children and dog – here are our vacation tips for a vacation full of exciting activities and highlights, such as the Brocken and Wernigerode.
Camping Ratgeber:
Your vacation in the Harz Mountains: shrouded in legend & naturally beautiful
Vacation tips – Green forests, babbling brooks and mountainous landscapes.
You can experience a fantastic natural panorama on a walk or a longer hike along the unspoilt paths.
But the Harz Mountains have much more to offer than just fairytale landscapes.
From unique caves to historic castles and charming villages, this beautiful vacation destination offers an eventful and adventurous time for young and old.
But the myths and legends surrounding the Harz Mountains are also an appealing factor that always goes down well with tourists and families in particular.
So if you want to enjoy an unforgettable vacation in nature and combine amazing landscapes with adventure, relaxation and cultural input, then you’ve come to the right place in the highest mountain range in northern Germany!
The Harz Mountains offer your camping vacation a real enrichment:
- Idyllic landscapes with natural hiking trails
- Exciting legends & myths: exciting for the family
- Unique sights: Caves, castles & villages
Before we get to the vacation tips, here is some general information about the Harz Mountains:
Between 3 federal states: Location on the map
Map – The Harz is a low mountain range located in Germany and is also the highest mountain range in northern Germany.
It forms the interface between Lower Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia and this central location makes it easy to reach from anywhere.
So it’s worth traveling to the Harz from many home towns in Germany.
In the middle of northern Germany – this is where the Harz Mountains are on the map: To give you an overview of the Harz Mountains, you can find a map here:
Flying like a bird: the Harz Mountains from above
Video – Picturesque sunrises bathe the clear lakes and green forests in orange light.
You can see the landscape of the Harz Mountains in this video filmed with a drone – it’s as if you’re flying over it like a bird.
https://youtu.be/IomcRcLrELA Now you know where the Harz Mountains are and what they look like.
But what should you do on your vacation in the Harz Mountains?
Bucket list: tips for your vacation with dogs & children
Sights – As you have already learned, the Harz Mountains are known for their picturesque landscapes, green forests, mighty mountains and extensive hiking trails.
Due to its extraordinary flora and fauna, the mountains are particularly suitable for a summer vacation.
This is why the peaceful Harz Mountains are a popular destination for Germans and attract numerous visitors every year.
Natural highlights – Not only the popular national park with its amazing forests and hiking trails is one of the top excursion destinations in the Harz Mountains, but other natural phenomena also attract a large number of visitors every year.
What’s more, the Harz Mountains are not only beautiful to look at, but also conceal numerous myths, sagas and old legends.
As a result, there are exciting and interesting stories about many of the attractions that have been spread and passed down over the years.
So if you visit the caves, for example, you can also find out about the myths to add a very special touch to your visit.
But apart from the attractive landscapes, the multifaceted Harz Mountains also impress with historical attractions, famous sights, family-friendly leisure activities and much more.
The following activities and sights are recommended in the Harz Mountains:
- Day trip to the Harz National Park
- Lively town of Wernigerode
- Oldest nature reserve: The Devil’s Wall
- Legendary rock formations in the unicorn cave
- Highest mountain in the Harz: the Brocken
My top 5 tips:
Harz National Park: Hikes between forests & meadows
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit one of Germany’s largest national parks!
Covering an area of around 250 square kilometers, you can spend an eventful and relaxing day among spruce and beech forests.
You can explore the area on a walk and plan your day freely and individually on the hiking network, which covers at least 600 kilometers.
A day trip to the popular national park is a special highlight for nature lovers and passionate hikers.
Whether it’s an extensive exploration tour while hiking or a leisurely stroll in the countryside – the multi-faceted national park is definitely worth a visit and should definitely be visited during your vacation in the Harz Mountains.
The national park offers you:
- Scenic highlights
- Quiet & idyllic nature
- Colorful panorama
- Dense spruce & beech forests
- 600 kilometer hiking network
Watch the following video to see what awaits you on a day trip to the national park!
https://youtu.be/yyfD994bV6E
Wernigerode: get to know the livelier side of the Harz Mountains
The next item that should be on your bucket list is the charming town of Wernigerode.
In contrast to the otherwise peaceful and idyllic nature, it reflects the livelier side of the Harz.
Wernigerode is located on the northern edge of the Harz Mountains and boasts a modern and young atmosphere.
From numerous cafés, charming restaurants and lively hotels to the romantic Wernigerode Castle, this inviting town offers everything your heart desires.
In summer, the Wernigerode Castle Festival is held, attracting numerous visitors from all over the world every year.
However, it is not just the castle, but the colorful town in general that enchants many tourists with its unique atmosphere and lively vibe, which is why you should definitely make a stop here.
The highlights of a visit to Wernigerode:
- Charming city in a modern, young style
- Colorful, lively flair
- Numerous cafés and restaurants
- Wernigerode Castle
To help you find your way around – here is Wernigerode on the map: And that’s how beautiful it is in Wernigerode: What else is there to explore and do in nature?
Devil’s Wall: Germany’s oldest nature reserve
The sandstone Teufelsmauer (Devil’s Wall) is particularly worth seeing in the Harz Mountains.
It is one of the oldest nature reserves in Germany and is home to a variety of unique plants and animals.
On a day trip, you can view the mighty rock formation and take a break at the numerous viewpoints to enjoy the enchanting atmosphere.
Information about the Devil’s Wall:
- One of the oldest nature reserves in Germany
- Home to a variety of unique plants & animals
- Mighty rock formation created from sandstone
- Numerous viewpoints for hikers
So that you don’t get lost or “wander off” – you can find the Devil’s Wall on the map here: So that you don’t start your trip to the Devil’s Wall completely blind, here is a preview of what the Devil’s Wall looks like:
Caves: Stalactite formations with exciting myths
You should also take a look at the unique caves that are famous for the Harz Mountains.
Some of them were formed artificially by mining and others are of natural origin and were gradually created thousands of years ago by the formation of mountains.
The Baumann and Hermann caves are particularly popular.
An excursion to the Unicorn Cave, for example, one of the oldest stalactite caves in Germany, is particularly suitable for families with children, as an amazing creation of stalactites awaits you, in which you can interpret various shapes, such as animals or dwarves.
The extraordinary Unicorn Cave is also a natural highlight in the northern Harz foreland and is popular with people from all over the world.
Many legends and myths revolve around this natural monument, which is how it got its special name.
Information about the numerous caves:
- Partly artificially formed by mining
- Partly formed naturally through rock formation
- Particularly popular: Baumann’s & Hermann’s Cave
- Unicorn cave with many legends & myths
Here you can get a first impression of the famous Baumann Cave with a 360-degree overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXMuL4J7qA8
The Brocken: Highest mountain in the Harz
Another top excursion destination in the Harz Mountains is definitely the famous Brocken.
You can climb the mighty peak on various hiking trails to enjoy an amazing natural panorama across the entire valley to the Harz foreland in good weather.
If you prefer a more leisurely pace, you can also take the Brockenbahn from Wernigerode and reach your destination within an hour and a half.
In any case, an unforgettable and impressive view awaits you in an alpine climate, which is why a visit to the highest mountain in the Harz Mountains is a must.
Everything you need to know about the Brocken:
- Various hiking trails up to the summit
- Amazing natural panorama over the valley
- Not hiking?
Brockenbahn from Wernigerode!
Found quickly!
The Brocken on the map: A visit that is worthwhile in any weather!
Watch the following video about the Brocken.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8RkqsBCEt0
Three in one go: Route between Brocken,
Are you an ambitious hiker?
Or would you like to take in as much of the exciting adventures in the Harz mountains as possible?
With this route, you can visit three of the excursion destinations.
Start at the Devil’s Wall, where you can go for a walk with the whole family and enjoy the view.
The next stop is the Brocken.
Here you can hike all the way to the summit.
At the end of your tour, you can visit the Unicorn Cave and admire the mystical stalagmites and stalactites.
An overview of the three points:
- Devil’s wall
- Hunks
- Unicorn cave
The tips as a simple route: But how are you actually going to manage this route flexibly?
Experience more nature: Camping instead of a hotel
When camping, you can enjoy everything the Harz Mountains have to offer right into the evening hours and experience an adventure that you won’t soon forget.
Families with small children in particular get their money’s worth here, as camping provides relaxation and recreation on the one hand, but is also a natural paradise with numerous opportunities to run around and play on the other.
When traveling, it is often the case that you are dependent on a fixed sleeping place and have less freedom to move around.
When you go camping, you are more flexible.
A roof tent makes it particularly easy for you, as you can simply fold it up and therefore don’t have the hassle of dismantling the tent poles.
A roof tent is also usually simply mounted on the roof of your car to save space.
This means you don’t have to maneuver as much as with a caravan, for example.
Curious?
You can take a look at various roof tents here:
Packing list for camping: checklist, tips & suggestions
Nowadays, most people no longer go camping with just the bare essentials.
Instead, it can be a little more luxurious.
Instead of a 2-person tent, it is more comfortable to travel in a comfortable roof tent and important outdoor equipment such as chairs, a table and loungers are also a must on the campsite.
Is tidiness the be-all and end-all for you?
There is also a practical solution for this when camping!
Here’s a checklist to help you take all the essentials with you on your camping vacation and make the most of your time.
These top 5 things should definitely be on your packing list:
- Camping furniture
- Awning or awning
- Camping kitchen including gas stove
- Durable food & cool box
- Mosquito spray & mosquito net
- …Here you can find all the gadgets in the packing list!
Sleeping under the stars: campsite recommendations
As wild camping is generally prohibited in Germany, you should choose one or more campsites or legal pitches for your overnight stay here.
The popular campsites are all located in the mountains and are centrally located so that you don’t have to travel far to reach the most interesting attractions and highlights of the Harz Mountains.
I have picked out some popular, affordable and central campsites here:
Harz Camp Goslar
Interesting facts about the campsite Harz Camp Goslar:
- Ratings: 4.8 / 5 (835 ratings)
- Address: Clausthaler Straße 28, 38644 Goslar
- Phone: +49 5321 22502
- Website: Harz Camp Goslar
- Directions (Google Maps): Harz Camp Goslar
Harz-Camp Bremer Teich in Gernrode
That is important:
- Ratings: 3.9 / 5 (624 ratings)
- Address: Bremer Dammteich 3, 06507 Quedlinburg OT Gernrode
- Phone: +49 39485 60810
- Website: Harz Camp Generode
- Directions (Google Maps): Harz-Camp Bremer Teich
Camping ground Alte Waldmühle in Wernigerode
Short & sweet – you should take a look at this in advance:
- Ratings: 3.9 / 5 (226 ratings)
- Address: Mühlental 118, 38855 Wernigerode
- Phone: +49 3943 266 399
- Website: Old wall mill
- Directions (Google Maps): Camping site Alte Waldmühle
Find your campsite: What’s important?
When you go camping, you should definitely pay attention to a few important criteria when choosing your campsite so that you can enjoy your time here as much as possible.
You have your own specific needs.
Here I have listed a few factors that you should keep in mind when looking for the right place:
- Location & Pitches
- Price-performance ratio
- General cleanliness
- Infrastructure (restaurants, stores, …)
- Leisure activities in the surrounding area
- You can get more help to make sure everything fits here: Campsite
Activities: Hiking, walking & climbing
If you choose camping as your accommodation option, you are always surrounded by nature and usually have direct access to popular leisure activities.
The Harz Mountains are a paradise for nature lovers and not only impress with idyllic landscapes and picturesque nature, but also offer fun and games as well as exciting activities for the whole family.
Go for a walk: Relax and enjoy nature
The Harz Mountains are known for their breathtaking nature.
During a walk, you can enjoy the picturesque landscape with dense forests, clear lakes, rushing waterfalls and imposing mountain peaks.
Of course, it also makes sense to visit the highlights on our bucket list.
The Harz National Park and the area around the Brocken are particularly beautiful for this.
You can find out what walking actually does for you here:
Hiking: longer distances outdoors
Walking is the precursor to hiking, so to speak.
If you want to cover longer distances, then you should take up hiking.
Hiking in the Harz Mountains allows you and your family to spend time together in nature.
You can get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the beauty of the landscape.
You can hike along exciting trails, explore caves, hike to waterfalls or even take a ride on the historic Brockenbahn, so there’s something for everyone!
You can find out how to plan the right hiking route here:
Climbing: Adventure on the Devil’s Wall
The Harz Mountains offer a variety of climbing routes of different levels of difficulty.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced climber, there are routes to suit your ability and allow you to continuously improve.
For example, climbing on the Devil’s Wall gives you an exciting challenge and the opportunity to test your own limits.
It requires physical dexterity, strength and concentration.
The thrill of climbing and tackling difficult routes can provide an intense adrenaline experience.
You can learn everything you need to know before your first climb here:
At what time of year is a vacation in the Harz recommended?
Weather: alpine climate in summer & winter
The Harz Mountains offer very changeable temperatures between -2 degrees and 24 degrees on average throughout the year.
The weather is therefore very changeable and can sometimes be cold and wet.
The best time of year is therefore in the summer months, i.e. between May and September, as you can expect summer temperatures here and a hiking, cultural or swimming vacation is all the more fun!
- Warmest average temperature: 24 degrees
- Coldest Ø-temperature:: -2 degrees
- Changeable weather
- About 74.8 hours of sunshine per month
Current overview: Weather at this moment
On this map you can see what the weather looks like at this moment in the Harz Mountains:
FAQ: Questions & Answers
Where is the best place to go on vacation in the Harz Mountains?
Where exactly is the Brocken?
And how high is it in the Harz Mountains?
Here you will find some questions that are frequently asked about the Harz Mountains and the answers.
Where is the best place to go on vacation in the Harz Mountains?
The Harz Mountains are very diverse and offer a wide range of possibilities for a successful vacation.
If you want to relax and enjoy wellness, you should go to Bad Harzburg.
Another recommendation would be the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Goslar.
In winter, Bad Sachsa is ideal for skiing, for example.
Other popular places are Bad Lauterberg, Sankt Andreasberg, Wernigerode and Osterode.
What can you do in the Harz Mountains?
The most popular sights include the Hexentanzplatz, the Barbarossa Cave and other caves, the famous Devil’s Wall, the Harz National Park and the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway.
Where exactly is the Brocken?
The Brocken is the highest mountain in the Harz low mountain range, in Saxony-Anhalt and in the whole of northern Germany.
It is located in the Schierke district of the town of Wernigerode in the Harz district of Saxony-Anhalt.
How high is it in the Harz Mountains?
The highest point of the mountain range is the Brocken at 1,141 meters.
Excursion destinations for campers: stopovers throughout Germany
If you’re traveling to the Harz Mountains, you might pass by one or two destinations worth seeing.
Here you will find an overview of all the federal states in the vicinity and for the whole of Germany.
Camping in Lower Saxony
The Harz Mountains also partly cover the federal state of Lower Saxony.
If you are looking for blooming heathlands, sunny beaches and fresh sea air during a cycle tour along the coast, you will find all this and much more in Lower Saxony.
From water sports at Alfsee to relaxation in Bensersiel and island vacations on Norderney to fishing at Steinhuder Meer – with a roof tent or tent trailer, you have the flexibility to reach all these places easily.
Here you will find pictures, information and the best tips for the most beautiful places in Lower Saxony:
Camping in Saxony-Anhalt
Another part of the Harz is located in Saxony-Anhalt, which is why the federal state is also perfect for a short break or excursion.
The state offers a comprehensive program for nature lovers.
In the north, you can go on relaxed cycle tours through the flat landscape, which are ideal for the whole family.
In the southern part of Saxony-Anhalt, on the other hand, mountainous regions await you.
Or you can jump into the cold water to cool off – Saxony-Anhalt has many great mountain lakes.
Here you will find lots of tips on camping in Saxony-Anhalt and fantastic regions, similar to the Harz Mountains.
Camping in Thuringia
The last federal state in which the Harz Mountains are located is Thuringia.
This federal state is also rich in mountains and invites you and your fellow travelers to go on adventurous hikes.
The impressive landscape offers a variety of opportunities to explore nature.
In addition to the picturesque mountains, Thuringia also offers a wealth of cultural treasures in cities such as Weimar.
Here you can immerse yourself in the rich history and artistic heritage, visit museums and explore historical sites.
In addition to mountains such as the Harz Mountains, you can find travel tips for a vacation in Thuringia here.
Vacation in Germany
You already know that you can reach the Harz Mountains from anywhere in Germany.
Of course, you will also pass by many other beautiful places in Germany.
So that you can choose one or more places for a short stopover or excursion, you should plan your route well in advance.
Read more about a vacation in Germany here: