Harz Explorer

ITINERARY

Day 1 – High Speed to Aachen

Lunchtime Eurostar from London St. Pancras International to Brussels Midi to connect with a high speed train to Aachen. Your hotel this evening is the Ibis am Marschiertor, just a short walk from the station.

Day 2 – Onwards to Wernigerode

Morning train to Cologne to board an ICE service to Hannover where you join the regional network to travel via Goslar to Wernigerode for a late afternoon arrival. Transfer to the Weisser Hirsch, your hotel for the next 4 nights, located in Wernigerode’s picturesque market square.

Days 3 to 5 – Exploring the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen

A 3-day Harz Rover pass is included in the holiday for you to fully explore the 140km of narrow gauge railways. A must is a visit to the top of the Brocken, this mountain is the highest peak in the Harz Mountain range and the highest in northern Germany. There are 11 trains a day which climb to the top of the Brocken, all steam hauled and on a clear day you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the tree-lined hillsides and surrounding countryside. The Brocken was a look-out and “listening” post in Soviet days due to its commanding views across the west and today there is a museum at the summit telling the story of its role in the cold war period. Quedlinburg at the far end of the Selketalbahn is also well worth a visit. This UNESCO World Heritage town can be reached from Wernigerode by travelling over 97km on narrow gauge lines using the rover pass, or 42km on standard gauge (at an additional cost). The town has many winding streets of half-timbered buildings built over 5 centuries. Nordhausen on the third section of the Harz network combines the narrow gauge railway with urban transport operated by trams.

Day 6 – West to Essen

Transfer to the railway station for a morning train, travelling via Goslar and Hannover to Essen, arriving early afternoon. After checking into the IntercityHotel Essen for an overnight stay, the afternoon is free to explore. Consider taking the 37 minute train journey to Wuppertal to ride the famous Schwebebahn. A local transport card is included in the holiday.

Day 7 – Homeward Bound

After a leisurely breakfast you travel south to Cologne where you will board an ICE service to Brussels and take the Eurostar to London. Arrive back in London mid-afternoon.