Harz National Park

From up above here on the Hohne, you are presented with a fantastic view of the Harz National Park. In the centre of the national park sits the 1,141 m high mountain Brocken. The mountain steeped in legend is both the summit and the highlight in the landscape of the Harz Mountains which is characterized by steep ridges, plateaus, cliffs, valleys and gorges. Amongst the German low mountain ranges are the Harz Mountains the only ones that reach a natural timber line. Further upland is the woodless mountain heath of the Brocken. National parks aim to protect virgin landscapes on a large scale and to leave them to an unimpaired natural development. On a global scale, more than 4 000 national parks rank among the most popular places of interest in their countries. The Harz National Park is with its area of 247 km2 the biggest wilderness area in Germany. The protected area spans from Herzberg in the south to Bad Harzburg and Ilsenburg in the North and includes about 10% of the Harz's total area. There are 16 national parks in Germany – ranging from the Wadden Sea in the north to the peaks of the Alps right in the south. The parks protect beautiful landscapes and provide home to fascinating plants and animals – including everything from seals to ibex and from pikeperch to capercailye.