x07.en (23/06/1996)

Examples of 1-day excursions in the Harz with the HSB trains
from Wernigerode or Gernrode

These 1-day excursions are proposed by HSB to groups of Harz visitors as "standard ones", using regular trains, but, of course...
* not all possible excursions are listed here, only a couple of examples and suggestions...
* all of them can be easily "customized" to suit the specific tastes of visitors...
* for enthusiasts, visits of the HSB "MPD" (Motive Power Depot) and workshops at Wernigerode Westerntor and the installations at Gernrode can be added too...
* other 2-day (week-end), 3-day and 5-day tours are also available from HSB as "standard packages"...

Please contact HSB for more..., the Public-Relation dept. will be happy to answer to all add'l questions... and take Your reservations !

• Examples of excursions from Wernigerode, please see below...
• to the excursions from Gernrode

From Wernigerode...

• Wernigerode and around the Harz
  - We meet in Wernigerode (234m), and we first take you for a visit of the old city of Wernigerode.
  - Then, after the lunch, we start a XX1-hourXX trip on the Harzquerbahn to XXX: with its many curves and steep grades, the line allows superb views of the forests and the deep valleys of the north-Harz.
  - Finally, we take you in a bus with a competent guide for rounding up our tour of the Harz and back to Wernigerode.

• From Wernigerode to Elend with the Harzquerbahn
  - From Wernigerode (234m), the historical Harzquerbahn takes you through the forests and the deep valleys of the Harz, climbing hard to reach Elend (509m), after about 1h30; Elend is typical of the colorful Harz villages.
  - There, we take you for an easy hike, about 5km to the north, in the Wormketal, to the Harzquerbahn station of Drei-Annen-Hohne (540m), and, on our way, we will see the Hohnekopf, 880m high. Drei-Annen-Hohne is the place where the famous Brocken line diverts from the Harzquerbahn main-line which goes on *south* towards Nordhausen.
  - Then we take the Harzquerbahn again for the trip back to Wernigerode.

  For your stay in the Wernigerode - Drei Annen Hohne area, the Parkhotel am Hohnekopf welcomes you:
  - management associated with HSB,
  - the only hotel in the National Park Hochharz, the National Park Upper Harz !

• From Wernigerode... a 1-day excursion to Benneckenstein with the Harzquerbahn
  - From Wernigerode (234m), the historical Harzquerbahn takes you through the forests and the deep valleys of the Harz, to Benneckenstein (530m), a nice little city deep in the Harz; about 1h50.
  - We take you to a typical country lunch and then...
  - ... back to Wernigerode with the Harzquerbahn train.

From Gernrode...

• From Gernrode... in the Selke valley
  - From Gernrode (204m), the Selketalbahn steam train takes you to Mägdesprung (295m), a 1/2h trip.
  - There, we start an easy hike to Alexisbad, where we will have a special lunch in Hotel "Harzquell".
  - In the afternoon, a visit of Alexisbad is planned with views of very nice Harz-typical half-timbered houses, as well as the Heil-source and...
  - ... the train will take you back to Gernrode.
  - Please take note that Alexisbad is famous for simultaneous parallel starts of steam trains to Strassberg - Stiege and to Harzgerode, which happen daily at 16:00 !

• From Gernrode... a grill-party in the Selke valley
  - From Gernrode (204m), the Selketalbahn steam train takes you to Strassberg (363m), a trip about 1h20.
  - From Strassberg, we take nice lane in the forest and in the fields to Güntersberge (420m).
  - At the fish breeding of Elbinger valley, the grill is already on and you will have a good meal in the fresh country air near the little lake.
  - From Güntersberge, a Selketalbahn train, a steam train of course, will take you back to Gernrode.

• From Gernrode to Stiege for the "Drachenfest" / the "Day of the Dragons" / a good idea for autumn vacation
  - From Gernrode (204m), the narrow gauge steam train takes you to Stiege (485m), about 1h50.
  - A short walk takes you to a place where a grill is installed...
  - ... and it's time to fly the "dragons"... (these "dragons" are kites...).
  - You have a good grill lunch while there is a contest for the most beautiful "dragon" and the best flying machine
  - During the afternoon there are other games and finally...
  - ... the steam train takes you back to Gernrode.