Upper Harz

The Upper Harz (Oberharz) is the northwestern and higher part of the Harz mountain range in Germany, located in the states of Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. This region is characterized by a rolling plateau that reaches about 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) in the west. Due to its exposure to northerly winds from the North German Plain, the Oberharz experiences a raw and damp climate, even in summer. The highest summits are bare, but lower slopes are covered with spruce forests and moors. The Brocken, a granite mountain famous in folklore, rises above this plateau. Historically, the Oberharz was significant for mining and metallurgy, particularly for silver, lead, iron, copper, and zinc, with water and wood resources being crucial for these industries. Today, tourism is a major industry, attracting visitors to its natural scenery, historic towns, and spas.1