Nationalpark Harz

National Park

The Harz National Park is a legally protected area of international importance. As usual in national parks around the world, also here nature is allowed to develop largely free of human influence. Our motto is: “Let nature be nature”, a privilege that applies to less than 1% of the German territory. Beech and spruce forests, sub-alpine dwarf shrub heaths, bogs and rock biotopes offer retreats for over 10,000 animal and plant species including rare or even threatened ones. The lynx also feels at home again in this legendary mountain wilderness. Also you can help protect these special habitats by following the rules of the park.

Forest in transition to wilderness in Harz National Park The look of the forests in the Harz Mountains has changed considerably in recent years. The grey silhouettes of dead spruce trees in the National Park tower into the sky or lie scattered across each other on the ground and by the roadsides. At first sight this seems strange to many people. But even though many dead trees are visible, this forest is as vibrant and dynamic as it has not been for a long time. Initiated by storms and a small insect benefitting from climate change – the European spruce bark beetle – a new wilderness is developing here: more species-rich, more versatile, and more robust. True to the National Park motto “Let nature be nature”, the flora and fauna in large parts of the National Park can develop freely, and we have a unique opportunity to observe it on its way from a former commercial forest to a wild natural forest.

Gallery

Rules

Entry behavior

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Entering off the beaten path is forbidden

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Entering the area is only allowed on

Designated paths/places

Snow activities

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Winter sport is only allowed on

Designated paths/places

Mountain activities

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Climbing is only allowed on

Designated paths/places

Stay activities

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Camping/Bivouac is forbidden

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Camping is forbidden

Air activities

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Drones/model planes is forbidden

General behavior

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Noise (tape recorders, players) is forbidden

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Dogs with leash is allowed

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Fire is forbidden

Im gesamten Nationalpark-Gebiet und dementsprechend auch auf der Brockenkuppe gilt zudem ganzjährig ein Verbot, Feuerwerkskörper zu zünden.

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Disposing of waste is forbidden

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Collecting plants is forbidden

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Mushroom collecting is only allowed on

Designated paths/places from 01. July until 15. October

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Smoking is forbidden

from 15. February until 31. October

Die Regelung gilt für das Rauchen im niedersächsischen Teil des Nationalparks. Rauch-Verbot in Sachsen-Anhalt ab Waldbrandstufe 2

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Swimming is only allowed on

Designated paths/places