Discover Osterode Am Harz

Osterode Am Harz combines an old town shaped by half-timbered houses with striking landmarks from the town’s history and activities in the Harz Mountains. You can organize the options for your stay around your interests: historic places in the townscape, a themed tour, hiking routes and a climbing area.

Town History and Walking Tour

The town wall of Osterode Am Harz was first mentioned in a document in 1233. This date is an early point of reference in the town’s history. Many preserved half-timbered houses can be seen within the old town wall. In front of the Old Town Hall, the Donkey Driver Monument recalls the history of the donkey drivers; above the town stand the ruins of Welfenburg Castle. The town wall and half-timbered houses are part of the preserved townscape, while the monument and Welfenburg Castle each add a different historical dimension.

An approximately two-hour walking tour adds stories about Osterode’s brewing tradition to these places. Notarius Schellschläger, once the innkeeper at the “Stadt London” inn, tells stories from the town’s history. If you plan to join the tour, check dates and availability in advance. You can set aside a separate time block in your daily itinerary for its approximate duration; its thematic focus distinguishes the tour from simply viewing individual buildings and monuments.

Hiking Trails and Climbing

Since autumn 2022, three family hiking trails have been located in the municipal forest of Osterode Am Harz. Each route is 4 to 7 kilometers long, offering different distances to consider when planning an excursion. The lengths make the municipal forest trails easy to compare with longer hiking routes, without treating the different routes as equivalent.

The Harzer Försterstieg is on a different scale: this 60-kilometer long-distance hiking trail in the western Harz connects Goslar with Riefensbeek-Kamschlacken. It runs along the Granetalsperre, Innerstetalsperre and Sösetalsperre reservoirs and offers views of the landscape. Thus, the shorter routes in the municipal forest are contrasted with an extensive route featuring two named endpoints and several reservoirs. The information about its length and course helps you choose a planned hike according to its geographic scope.

The Steinbruch an der Sösetalsperre climbing area is located on the north shore of the Sösetalsperre reservoir. There are ten climbing routes established by the German Alpine Club. Climbing is at your own risk and with your own equipment; the area is accessible only on foot. Seasonal restrictions may apply. Plan for the walk and bring your own equipment, and check in advance whether seasonal restrictions affect your visit.

Getting There and Dining

From Kassel, you can reach Osterode Am Harz via the Northeim/West exit of the A7, then take the B241 toward Osterode Am Harz. Check current traffic conditions before setting out.

The Ratskeller in Osterode Am Harz serves hearty Harz dishes and other Southern European cuisine, including pasta and salads, in an idyllic beer garden. As the restaurant’s offerings may change, check the current menu before your visit. This lets you include a meal in your daily itinerary while bearing in mind that the dishes on offer are not fixed.

Discover more destinations: Bad Grund, Bad Lauterberg, Bad Sachsa, Badenhausen, Herzberg Am Harz, Osterode Am Harz, Pöhlde, Riefensbeek-Kamschlacken, Lonau.

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