Schierke

Schierke is a small spa town, at 600 metres altitude, in the Harz Mountains. It is a popular tourist destination, not least as a base for walks up the Brocken, the highest mountain in the region.

Understand
Schierke is in the heart of the Harz, surrounded by the forests of the National Park. It has a long tradition as a spa and consequently has dozens of hotels and restaurants.

The Cold Bode (Kalte Bode) river flows through Schierke into the Bode Valley. Schierke is home to a well-known local drink, Schierker Feuerstein, named after the Feuerstein (flint) rocks above the town.

Get in
Schierke is on the Brocken Railway, a narrow gauge line that starts in Wernigerode. It is also accessible by road from the B4, the main north-south federal road through the Harz.

Get around
Schierke is small enough to walk around.

See

 * The main route to the Brocken starts at Wernigerode with several minor stops on the way. The two main connection stops are Drei Annen Hohne and Schierke. The trip up and down will take about 1¾ hours. The night train journey is most beautiful in the winter months especially when snow is on the ground.
 * There are several trails to the summit of the Brocken, approaching from different sides. The most common routes are:
 * Schierke - Brocken - Schierke, approximately 15km with a 600m height difference, the return route takes approximately 5 hours not including stopovers.
 * Torfhaus - Brocken - Torfhaus (Goethe Trail), approximately 17km with a 550m height difference, route takes approximately 6 hours not including stopovers.
 * Schierke - Brocken - Schierke, approximately 15km with a 600m height difference, the return route takes approximately 5 hours not including stopovers.
 * Torfhaus - Brocken - Torfhaus (Goethe Trail), approximately 17km with a 550m height difference, route takes approximately 6 hours not including stopovers.

Go next

 * Wernigerode
 * Torfhaus
 * Braunlage