Parks and the outdoors in Wernigerode

Parks and the outdoors in Wernigerode

1. See

   Half Tower

   Halbschalenturm

   In the middle of a small park near the castle is another remnant of Wernigerode's medieval city wall: the semicircular shell of one of the old watchtowers (the side facing away from the castle is open) that was the object of a partial restoration in the 19th century at the request of Count Otto zu Stolberg-Wernigerode, and now is protected from the elements by a new slate roof.

2. See

   Orangery

   Orangerie

   The old Orangery, with its pleasure garden (Lustgarten), was built between 1713 and 1719 by Count Ernest of Stolberg-Wernigerode and was supposed to be a miniature version of the Palace of Versailles.

3. Eat

   Waldgasthaus Armeleuteberg

   Traditional forest inn in the woods behind Wernigerode. Its location in a hunting area is reflected in its menu which includes venison, boar and wild mushrooms.

   Wed-Mon 10:00-18:00·Mid-range

4. See

   Wernigerode Castle

   Schloss Wernigerode

   A walk around this striking medieval castle is well worth the effort of the climb from the town centre. There are numerous paths through the woods and grounds of the castle. A climb onto the Agnesberg hill behind it is rewarded with a view over the castle, the town, and the edge of the Harz mountains that many visitors simply miss. The more adventurous can make their way through the woods into the valley of Christianental, where there is a forest inn serving traditional German fare and a small wildlife park with deer, wild boar and birds of prey. The castle is now a museum which is open to the public - see "Museums" section below.

5. Do Not mapped

   Armeleuteberg

   Head down Westernstraße from the Marktplatz and through the Western Gate Tower. Turn L at the Westernkreuzung crossroads into Salzburgstraße. Continue straight up the long winding forest road called Die Winde. After just under 3 km you reach the Försterplatz and restaurant of Armeleuteberg, named after the hill. The Emperor Tower (Kaiserturm) is above the inn about 400 m away and has super views of the town. The return leg is via the Zwölfmorgental valley.

6. Do Not mapped

   Harz Hiking Award Scheme

   Harzer Wandernadel

   There are over 200 checkpoints in the Harz Hiking Award Scheme, several of which are in the Wernigerode area. Equipped with a pass book and set of maps the idea is to visit the checkpoints usually sited at places of interest - ruined castles, hilltops, viewing points, lakes and museums - and stamp your pass book. You can earn badges for the number of stamps collected and there are also special badges for collecting stamps on themed routes like the Inner German Border. The pass book and maps can be bought at tourist or information offices in the area or online.

   Pass book €2, map set €7.50

7. Do Not mapped

   Hiking in the local area

   Wernigerode is a great base for hiking in the northern Harz. Destinations that are within reach include the summit of the mighty Brocken, the Harz's highest mountain (14 km round walk via the Steinerne Renne pub); the town of Ilsenburg (11 km round trip), the Otto Rocks (10 km round trip) and the historic town of Blankenburg (13 km round trip). Another trail, the Upper Harz Crag Trail (Oberharzer Klippenweg - 12 km round trip) takes in several of the well-known tors in the area with great views of the surrounding countryside. More information is given on the town website (link at start of article)

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Wernigerode (CC BY-SA 4.0).