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Important maintenance work: Brocken-Bahn pauses in November!
The Brocken Railway in the Harz will take a break in November 2023 for maintenance work. Find out more about the changes to the timetable.
Important maintenance work: Brocken-Bahn pauses in November!
The Brocken Railway, a beloved means of transport in the Harz, will remain silent on weekdays in November 2023. Dear railway fans and hiking enthusiasts, pay attention: The reason for this is extensive maintenance work on the route network of the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen GmbH (HSB). Unfortunately, the tracks have no time for passengers!
Overall, the work will take place in four construction phases. The exact time periods are as follows:
- 3. bis 6. November
- 10. bis 13. November
- 17. bis 20. November
- 24. bis 27. November
During these phases there are no trains running between Schierke and the Brocken. In addition, all train traffic between Wernigerode, Drei Annen Hohne and Schierke will be stopped in the second and third weeks of November (November 10th to 13th and 17th to 20th). The HSB does not offer a replacement service, but passengers can use the Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe (HVB) bus line 264.
The Brocken and its charm
For those who have never been there: The Brocken is the highest peak in the Harz Mountains in northern Germany at an impressive 1,141 meters. It is located in Saxony-Anhalt, very close to Schierke. With a subalpine climate, it shares some similarities with higher mountains. Snow can lie here from September to May, and the weather creates a haze of fog that lasts up to 300 days a year. The average temperature is only 2.9°C – not exactly tropical!
The Brockenbahn itself is one of the highest railway stations in Germany and was opened in 1899. The train ride takes visitors up to 1,125 meters, where the old television tower, which now functions as a hotel and restaurant with a viewing platform, awaits them. This is also where the Brocken spectrum – an eerily beautiful phenomenon in which the shadow of a mountaineer appears in the fog – has its home.
The region has an interesting geological history, characterized by granite that was formed around 300 million years ago. And for the nature lovers among us: The Brocken is a habitat for rare species such as the water pipit and the ring ouzel. Hikers can enjoy the breathtaking views on many trails, including the popular Goetheweg.
Current challenges
While the Brocken Railway is affected by the maintenance work, the section between Nordhausen and the Ilfeld Neanderklinik remains in operation as scheduled. If you want to use the other routes, you have to use the regular HVB and Verkehrsbetriebe Nordhausen (VBN) buses - true to the motto: If you can't get on the track, you have to get on privately!
Although these maintenance measures are a change, they serve the long-term preservation of the approximately 140 kilometer long route network and the comfort of travelers. We can only hope that after the work everything runs smoothly again and the Brocken shines in all its glory.
Stay tuned for further updates and take the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful nature around the Brocken - even off the rails!
Further information about the Brocken Railway and its significance can be found at news38 and further details about the chunk itself Wikipedia.