Tanne: Local History Museum, Spa Park and Hiking Trails

Colourful mountain meadows and idyllic stream valleys shape the landscape around Tanne. In the village, there is also a spa park, a local history museum and a variety of trails. This brings local history, plant diversity and outdoor activity together as distinct points of interest. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Tanne, you can consider whether you would prefer your holiday to focus on history, parkland or longer hikes.

Local History and Waterwheels

The local history museum in Tanne is a small museum housed in former shop premises and officially opened on 1 May 1984. Visits are possible by arrangement. Right beside the building are two large, original waterwheels that have been preserved. They are considered evidence of the village’s industrial past. Together, the museum and waterwheels show different sides of local history: local heritage inside the museum and technical artefacts right next door.

Spa Park and Landscape

Tanne’s spa park lies on the northern slope of the Bode Valley and opened in 1961. Covering around two hectares, the park provides a habitat for more than 500 plant species and is a destination for local residents and visitors. It adds a distinct focus to the mountain meadows and stream valleys: plant diversity in a landscaped park. If you want to combine nature and local history, you can find both in Tanne, though the spa park should not be confused with the historic sites.

Trails Around Tanne

For local hikes, you can compare the distance, stated walking time and subject of each route. The Tanner Harzer-Höhenvieh Trail is a 9.4-kilometre circular route around Tanne. The stated walking time is 2 hours 40 minutes, and the difficulty level is moderate. The Forest Education Trail near Tanne is shorter: its circular route is 4.2 kilometres long, with a stated walking time of 1 hour 10 minutes, also at a moderate difficulty level. Comparing the routes can help with planning, while their themes appeal to different interests.

Along the Forest Education Trail, information boards introduce visitors to the lives and work of foresters in the 18th century. The route follows Johann Heinrich Cotta, Oberforstrat (Chief Forestry Councillor), and Herr von Lengefeld; von Lengefeld married one of Friedrich Schiller’s daughters. Another trail around the resort village of Tanne passes through eight stations. When there is enough snow, groomed cross-country ski trails are also available in and around Tanne. This winter activity depends on snow cover.

More to Explore in the Wider Destination of Oberharz am Brocken

The wider destination of Oberharz am Brocken also offers different ways to explore nature, culture and regional history. A moderately difficult hike leads through mixed forest to the Krockstein viewpoint. It is 2.8 kilometres long, with a stated walking time of 55 minutes. Another moderately difficult circular route goes around the Hasselvorsperre near Hasselfelde: it is 5.5 kilometres long, with a stated time of 1 hour 28 minutes. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

At the Harzköhlerei Stemberghaus, traditional charcoal-burning earth mounds are built, fired and harvested from early April to the end of October, offering a chance to see the old craft of charcoal burning in action. In Hasselfelde, the charcoal burners’ museum gives an impression of the difficult working and living conditions of the charcoal burners. A widely branching network of hiking trails there includes the Harzer-Hexen-Stieg, nature trails and the Köhlerweg; these routes provide access on foot to local sights and excursion destinations. Also in Hasselfelde, the Blumenau Museum in the Haus des Gastes presents the life and work of chemist and emigrant Hermann Blumenau through images and text. The local history museum in the Haus des Gastes tells the story of the village and the lives and work of its residents. St. Anthony’s Church is a three-aisled Gothic basilica.

Stiege brings together a variety of cultural and landscape attractions: the stave church is the only religious building in Germany in the Norwegian dragon style. Lake Stieger lies in the centre of the village, surrounded by green meadows and forests. The turning loop belongs to the Selketal Railway and is described as Europe’s smallest turning loop. Routes mentioned for hikers walking in stages include the “Paths of German Emperors and Kings” history trail, the Selketal Trail and the VIA ROMEA pilgrimage route. In Neuwerk, the traditional Grasedanz festival centres on the hay harvest; in Rübeland, the dripstone caves are right in the village centre.

From Hasselfelde, you can take the Harz Narrow Gauge Railway daily to the Brocken or into the Selke Valley. Check the current timetable before travelling. The different places and themes in Oberharz am Brocken can be explored as a regional destination in their own right, alongside Tanne’s trails, spa park and local history.

Discover More Destinations

Northern Harz, Wegeleben, Thale, Harsleben, Güntersberge, Ditfurt, Blankenburg am Harz, Huy

To the overview of the wider destination: Harz.