Not only witches rendezvous here

Are you familiar with the most famous witches' rendezvous in Europe? It's the Brocken, the highest mountain in the Harz region. But not only witches meet up here, because a well signposted network of trails covering more than 8,000 km makes this most northern minor mountain range into a hiking and Nordic-walking paradise, where you are guaranteed to dispose of your everyday cares along the way. The main hiking trail, the so-called "Harzer-Hexen-Stieg", takes you right across the Harz, and if you choose to join a guided hike with a ranger in the National Park, you will experience virtually wild nature and unique flora and fauna.

On more than 1,400 km of signposted mountain-bike trails and in three bike parks you can really get to appreciate those thick-treaded tyres and suspension forks and experience an optimum combination of sporting performance and staying close to nature.

When was the last time you built a snowman? During the winter season, the Harz offers a wonderfully varied programme of fun: toboggan races with your children, cross-country skiing on around 500 km of well prepared trails through snow-covered forests, or snowboarding or downhill-skiing on one of the many pistes.

But watch out if you trip over a stone - it could be a historic one. For example, you can experience a "really exciting story" in the 1000-year-old Emperor's city of Goslar (UNESCO World Heritage Site) or you can go back in time by visiting the mining museums and exhibition mines.

You'll see that the Harz has something to suit everybody. Just simply take the time to find out for yourself.