Primeval Forest Route at the Brocken

94 m long
Difficulty: easy
Condition: very easy
Themed Route
  • 0:15 h
  • 94 m
  • 1 m
  • 5 m
  • 911 m
  • 916 m
  • 5 m
  • Start: The primeval forest route branches off just above the Brocken bed from the Brockenstraße between Schierke and Brocken

No lianas, no green impenetrability. And yet – an idea of primeval forest right in the middle of Germany. A short side path leads to a special area: the so-called Brocken primeval forest and the Brocken east slope forest research area located within it.

Here the forest has largely been left to itself for more than 300 years. A natural treasure in the heart of the national park. But even here, the effects of climate change are apparent. Learn more about the changes in the mountain spruce forest, its research, and its biodiversity not immediately visible at first glance. You will be accompanied by verses from the Harz poet Bernd Wolff.

A few meters away from the Brockenstraße you will experience a forest as nature allowed it to become here. All its stages of development are visible: young spruces which as seedlings can only progress on the decaying wood of the previous tree generation, growing, old and dying spruces, among them strange tree shapes. The cycle of life and decay is closed, humans no longer intervene here, as it probably has been for a long time. Plan about 10-20 minutes for the approximately 100m long side path.

Please note that the experience stations are dismantled during the winter months.
Further information about the primeval forest route can be found >>here.

Nationalpark Harz
Nationalpark Harz

Good to know

Pavements

Street
Unknown

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

The primeval forest route branches off just above the Brocken bed from the Brockenstraße between Schierke and Brocken. Information is available at the National Park House Schierke or in the Brocken House.

Directions & Parking facilities

The Brockenstraße is closed to public traffic and therefore not accessible by car. Follow the signs for “National Park” in Schierke or hike down the Brockenstraße from the Brocken.

Additional information

Further information about the primeval forest route can be found >>here.

Author

Nationalpark Harz

Organization

Nationalpark Harz

License (master data)

License: Attribution, ShareAlike

Safety guidelines

Easy path, partly on narrow forest trails and boardwalks.

Nearby

Address

Primeval Forest Route at the Brocken
Wernigerode