Hiker discovers lynx family in the Harz Mountains: A natural wonder awaits you!

Hiker discovers lynx family in the Harz Mountains: A natural wonder awaits you!

The Harz is very popular with hikers and nature lovers. The region attracts millions of visitors every year with its breathtaking viewpoints and extensive forests. This time, Manfred Werner from Oberkirch, Baden-Württemberg, was able to capture a very special experience with his camera during his trip from Schierke to the Brocken: He discovered a lynx family in the forest, which consisted of one lynx and four young animals. A rare sight that demonstrates the positive development of the lynx population in the Harz National Park. Silvester Tamás, the coordinator of the NABU lynx project in Thuringia, confirms that the lynx settlement in the region is going well and that there are now around 150 animals, which makes the Harz the lynx stronghold in Central Europe.

The sightings not only delight the hearts of hikers, but are also a sign that the shy big cats in the Harz Mountains are doing well. Tamás emphasizes that the lynx needs quiet, low-disturbance forest areas in order to safely raise its offspring. Anyone wondering what challenges the lynxes have to overcome in the Harz National Park should know that the protected forest areas in the EU-wide NATURA 2000 protected area network are increasingly under pressure from forestry and wood use. But the efforts to protect and settle the lynx are seen as a positive development.

A place of nature

The Harz National Park extends over a vast, largely uninhabited area and is almost entirely covered by forests. The landscape is characterized by its natural habitats, which include the high and middle regions of the Harz, rocky biotopes and extensive beech and spruce forests. This makes the park an important recreational area in Central Europe, attracting more than five million overnight stays and around ten million visits annually. A full 39 rangers and various national park visitor centers are available to help visitors answer their questions about nature and educate them about the park's own treasures.

The lynx in focus

Particular attention is paid to the lynx in the Harz, which, thanks to a well-organized lynx project, not only receives protection but also protection from sightings. The Lynx enclosure near Bad Harzburg, which is accessible at any time, offers interested visitors the opportunity to experience the animals up close. The public lynx feeding takes place here twice a week and no registration is required. Access is via designated hiking trails, making the experience even more authentic. For those who want to save themselves the hike, the Burgberg cable car comes in handy, which cuts 200 meters in altitude.

However, lynx fans should note that it is not possible to get to the enclosure by car, which means that visiting the park can be a bit of an adventure. If you want to travel by bus, you can use the KVG bus line 875, which runs from April to the beginning of November. Registration for groups of 20 or more people is required. The numerous hiking trails and nature offerings in the national park Lynx project Harz make the excursion particularly attractive for nature and animal lovers.

The Harz remains a region full of surprises and beautiful experiences. Whether hiking, watching wildlife or simply enjoying the breathtaking nature - there is something for everyone to discover here.