Mystical and unspoilt. The witches' dance on Mount Brocken

"The wild boar plunges into eerie thickets ..." The great poet Goethe made several journeys to the Harz, Germany's northernmost mountain range, and was enraptured by the air of mystery safeguarded by its growing communities. His impressions, especially of Mount Brocken, are reflected in his magnum opus `Faust'. Mount Brocken, at 1,141 metres the highest peak in the Harz, has been rumoured to be a witches' meeting place since the late Middle Ages.

The Harz and its many facets

There are many sides to the Harz: gentle hills in the south, rugged rock faces and dramatic valleys in the north. In the upper Harz, the silver mining industry left behind many hollows and craters that have been filled in with water to create lakes. These and the flower-filled mountain pastures create an almost Alpine landscape. The Harz National Park is extremely diverse: dark forests, mysterious moors and clear streams penetrate craggy cliffs. For decades this former border zone between the two Germanies was left almost untouched and became a habitat for many endangered species. A lynx reintroduction project was launched ten years ago.

Quedlinburg

Quedlinburg, on the north-east edge of the Harz, became a UNESCO World Heritage site soon after German reunification. The entire old quarter ­ with 1,300 timberframed buildings spanning six centuries has been accorded UNESCO protection. The town may be small, with winding lanes and medieval streets, but its citizens have preserved a great architectural legacy over the years. Highlights are the Renaissance town hall, the castle, the Romanesque collegiate church with the cathedral treasury and the Romanesque Church of St. Wiperti. A few miles to the west is Wernigerode, another town with great charm, its centre again characterised by beautifully restored half-timbered buildings. From Wernigerode you can reach the summit of fabled Mount Brocken without breaking into a sweat: on the Harz historical railway, which has the longest unbroken narrow-gauge network in Germany and regularly runs old steam locomotives as well as vintage trains ­ unforgettable fun for railway enthusiasts.

The silver region

Silver mining has a long tradition in the Harz, thanks to abundant silver ore deposits. Many Harz towns owe their prosperity to mining, iron and steel, most notably the former free imperial and Hanseatic town of Goslar whose silver mines in Rammelsberg continued to operate until 1988. Rammelsberg is now a visitor mine and UNESCO World Heritage site. The Upper Harz Mining Museum in Clausthal-Zellerfeld and the Wettelrode visitor mine also offer an impression of what it was like to work below ground.

Walpurgis Night on Mount Brocken

On the night before 1 May the witches of the Harz emerge from their lairs to chase winter away. Walpurgis Night is celebrated in many towns in the Harz region. Bonfires are lit and people ­ even without magical powers ­ gather together for the dance. This ancient custom is pagan in origin, so when Christianity was being introduced, the Church attempted to ban it and anyone found celebrating was denounced as a witch. The tradition of dressing up as witches on Walpurgis Night continues in the Harz to this day.

Activity holidays in the Harz

The Harz is an ideal destination for holidaymakers with energy to burn. In the summer you can enjoy long walks on the 94km Harz Witches' Trail or go mountain biking in the Harz Volksbank Arena. But it's in winter that the Harz really comes into its own. There are all kinds of winter sports to enjoy with snow-sure terrain into March.

Cheese from the Harz

In contrast to Harzer cheese (Harzer Käse), which is available all over Germany, Harz cheese (Harzkäse) is a regional speciality. The two are quite different: Harz cheese is made with fresh whole milk, Harzer cheese with curdled milk. Most Harz cheeses are produced by small-scale farmers, vary in taste and quality and are sold almost exclusively at markets and farm shops. Another rustic speciality ­ and perhaps not the easiest to digest ­ is a typical miner's meal of homemade wurst, cheese, dripping, and gherkins accompanied by a strong schnapps.