How Günther conquered the Harz Mountains in a wheelchair: A hike for the soul!

How Günther conquered the Harz Mountains in a wheelchair: A hike for the soul!

The majestic landscapes of the Harz have attracted not only hikers but also storytellers like Carsten Kiehne. He and his partner Manuela Petri have been collecting legends, fairy tales and anecdotes from this magical region for over a decade. On Tuesday, March 4th, he organized a special hike in the heavily attended Paracelsus Harz Clinic in Bad Suderode that offered both challenges and wonderful moments. During this time, Kiehne and Petri have published more than thirty books and, with their guided hikes, bring the mystical heritage of the Harz closer to people, as news38.de reports.

One of the participants in this venture was the remarkable Günther, an elderly man in an electric wheelchair. Despite the three-hour hike and a steep climb, he had an unwavering determination to accompany the group. Kiehne initially had concerns about whether Günther would be able to complete the route. Ultimately, however, the entire hiking group managed to support Günther in mastering the challenging path to the top. Once at the top, the beaming Günther was overjoyed and described this experience as the highlight of his hospital stay. Carsten Kiehne also recognized this hike as one of the most beautiful experiences of his 14-year career as a storyteller and hiking guide. This was also confirmed by n-ag.net.

A place full of myths

The Harz is not only known for its breathtaking landscapes, but also for its rich treasure of myths and legends. These stories embedded in nature make the region a popular destination for hiking enthusiasts, history lovers and spiritual seekers. Kiehne and his groups are doing their part to ensure that this cultural heritage is not forgotten. The Harz National Park emphasizes that myths are part of people's oldest cultural assets, and this is exactly what is reflected in Kiehné's work, which includes over 1,500 storytelling events and hiking tours.

An example of this diverse offering is the Nature Myth Trail near Braunlage, which, with its nine hands-on stations, helps hikers understand what the relationship between people and nature is all about. Topics such as the symbolic power of trees and the relationship between humans and wolves are excitingly conveyed here. A wish tree and a labyrinth also offer an opportunity to formulate inner wishes.

The Harz accessible to everyone

The efforts of Kiehne and other actors show how the Harz can also be made accessible to people with special needs. The collaboration in the hiking group was an impressive example of how community engagement can overcome barriers. This unique place becomes not only a setting for adventure, but also for human connection and support.

In addition, other guided tours in the Harz offer various hikes that offer a variety of experiences, from the stalactite caves in Rübeland to the highest point in northern Germany, the Brocken. Such experiences not only attract nature lovers, but also provide a deep insight into the cultural treasures of the region, which is now made accessible to everyone, as rundreisen.dertour.de describes.