Four long-distance hiking trails pass directly through Blankenburg (Harz): the Harz Monastery Trail, the E 11, the Paths of German Emperors & Kings and the Devil’s Wall Trail. There is also a popular circular hike with a specific route: the trail is about 8 kilometres long and leads from Großvater Rock via the ridge path and below the Devil’s Wall through Heidelberg. Check current trail conditions locally.
Hiking trails and sandstone landscape
In the Heers, a forest clearing about the size of a football field is home to imposing sandstone cliffs, some of which contain caves. Alongside the named hiking trails, the rock formations and caves are another natural highlight. The circular hike can be identified by its approximate length and the route described, while the cliffs in the Heers define a forest clearing. These offer different points of reference when deciding whether your trip should focus more on a specific route or on the landscape itself.
Hostel Museum and history
The Blankenburg Hostel Museum is Germany’s only historic journeymen’s hostel to have been developed as a museum, and features a themed exhibition on the journeymen’s travels. A roughly 45-minute journey through time shows what life was like for journeymen around 1900 and why the hostel existed. Visiting hours vary by season; check the current opening hours in advance.
Another historical perspective is offered by up to 17 virtual buildings, which can be explored in their original locations in the real-world surroundings. As this digital offering may change, check locally to see whether it is available. The open-air museum at Regenstein Castle and Fortress gives visitors access to various historic rooms and displays artefacts relating to the history of the Regenstein family. The terraced garden in the Blankenburg Palace Gardens was laid out in 1718.
The cultural themes are quite distinct: the Hostel Museum focuses on the journeymen’s travels and life around 1900, while Regenstein Castle and Fortress focuses on the history of the Regenstein family. The terraced garden adds a garden setting with a documented year of creation to these historical points of interest. This lets you choose between the history of crafts, historic rooms and garden history.
Seasonal swimming and trip planning
The “Am Thie” natural outdoor swimming pool is in the centre of Blankenburg (Harz), borders Thie Park and offers swimming without chlorine. Swimming in the outdoor pool is seasonal; check the latest operating information before your visit.
For planning your day, the approximately 45-minute journey through time at the Hostel Museum and the roughly 8-kilometre circular hike offer different measures: one refers to a museum experience, the other to a distance. The outdoor pool adds a seasonal option. You can therefore consider cultural activities, hiking and seasonal swimming as different focuses for your stay.
Discover more destinations: HĂĽttenrode, Wienrode, Cattenstedt, Derenburg, Timmenrode, Halberstadt, Tanne, Wernigerode
Return to the main travel overview: Harz.
