Fabulous hike: Seniors successfully brave gradients in the Harz Mountains!

Fabulous hike: Seniors successfully brave gradients in the Harz Mountains!

In the picturesque Harz, where legends and fairy tales come to life, Carsten Kiehne has been committed to preserving the fascinating culture of this region for over a decade. Together with his partner Manuela Petri, he has published more than thirty books that document the rich stories of the Harz Mountains. Kiehne offers guided tours and hikes where he shares his enthusiasm for local legends.

On Tuesday, March 4th, a special hike took place along the Paracelsus Harz Clinic in Bad Suderode. During this tour, Kiehne met an older gentleman named Günther who, despite his electric wheelchair, was determined to share the three-hour hike with the other participants. Kiehne initially had concerns about whether Günther would be able to complete the route, but the old man's courage impressed the group.

Challenges and successes

Although the steep climb was a real challenge, the hiking group helped Günther climb the mountain. For Kiehne, his success in reaching the summit was one of the highlights of his 14 years as a hiking guide. The older man was overjoyed when they reached the highest point of the tour. This experience shows that you can experience the beauty of nature even in the Harz, where the paths are often impassable.

The Harz National Park is known for its challenging routes, which are often characterized by stone and root paths. These can be a hurdle for people with disabilities. Nevertheless, there are numerous barrier-free and low-barrier options in the national park that make the natural experience more accessible for everyone. The offerings include the Brocken, the Schierke National Park House and various nature adventure centers.

Barrier-free travel in focus

Barrier-free travel is particularly important these days. People with disabilities as well as seniors and families with small children often face challenges when it comes to finding suitable travel offers. Projects such as “Travel for All” provide reliable information about barrier-free offerings in hotels, attractions and restaurants. The information collected according to uniform criteria is clearly available in a database that is divided by category and region.

Kiehne and his group tours show that it is possible to create unforgettable experiences in the Harz Mountains even for people with mobility limitations. Through joint action, the paths that are impassable during the day are transformed into places of joy and success, where support and camaraderie are the priority.

Whether hiking on the Brocken or exploring nature in the national park, there are always opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the region. With a combination of commitment and a keen eye for the needs of all travelers, the Harz shows that everyone can share the wonderful stories and landscapes that make this region so unique. Kiehne and other actors are actively committed to ensuring that these experiences are accessible to everyone, because in the end the community makes everything a little easier.

Further information about the barrier-free offers in the Harz can be found on the Harz National Park and ADAC websites.