Outstanding hike in the Harz: Conquered the summit together with Günther!

Outstanding hike in the Harz: Conquered the summit together with Günther!

The Harz is not only known for its impressive landscapes, but also for the fascinating legends and stories that are rooted in it. Carsten Kiehne, a passionate storyteller, has been collecting fascinating legends, fairy tales and anecdotes from this unique region for over a decade. Together with his partner Manuela Petri, he has published over thirty books that document the cultural heritage of the Harz Mountains. “It gives me great pleasure to share the stories and offer hikes to bring people closer to the Harz,” explains Kiehne, who is always looking for new stories and uses the landscape to bring the stories to life news38.de reports.

A very special hike took place on Tuesday, March 4th, when Kiehne walked with a group along the Paracelsus Harz Clinic in Bad Suderode. He met an older man named Günther who was sitting in an electric wheelchair. Despite the three-hour tour and the steep climb to the clinic, Günther was determined to accompany the group. Kiehne was initially skeptical about whether the trail would be wheelchair accessible, but the hikers decided not to abandon Günther. With their combined efforts, they managed to push him up the steep mountain, which was a moving experience for everyone involved. Once at the top, Günther beamed with joy and described the trip as the highlight of his hospital stay. Kiehne also saw the hike as the highlight of his 14 years of work.

Barrier-free nature experience in the Harz

But it's not just the stories that are fascinating - the Harz National Park also offers numerous opportunities for experiences in nature. There is a lot to discover here, especially for people with disabilities. There are various low-barrier and even barrier-free options that make the natural experience accessible to everyone. Along important viewing points, such as the Brocken, the highest mountain in northern Germany, or in visitor centers such as the TorfHaus National Park Visitor Center, you will find offers that are specifically tailored to the needs of these people. Other points of contact include the HohneHof Nature Experience Center and the Haus der Natur Bad Harzburg. This information comes from nationalpark-harz.de.

At the federal level, Germany plays a pioneering role when it comes to barrier-free nature and national parks. In the Eifel National Park, for example, there is a 4.7 km long barrier-free hiking trail network. In Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland, wheelchair-accessible access to popular attractions is offered, while in the Dümmer Nature Park, all-terrain wheelchairs can even be rented. Such initiatives show that experiencing nature is possible for everyone, regardless of individual challenges, as can be found on germany.travel.

The Harz with its diverse landscapes and cultural treasures is a place that not only makes the hearts of history lovers but also nature lovers beat faster. The wonderful hikes and the numerous barrier-free offers show that everyone can discover the beauty of this region - no matter which route they take.