National Park forest restaurants
Hiking to places that are not accessible by car – the National Park forest restaurants invite you
Experienced Harz hikers appreciate the National Park forest restaurants as convenient destinations for longer hiking and cross-country skiing trips. These special stopping points are perfect National Park partners. They promote hiking and inform the numerous guests about the aims that are pursued in the protected area.
Hanskühnenburg National Park forest restaurant
The restaurant is situated near the legendary Hanskühnenburg rock formation, which bears the same name as the restaurant. This hiking station, also called "Brocken of the Western Harz", lies at a height of 811 m and is the highest forest restaurant in the National Park. When the weather is good, hikers can enjoy fantastic views in all directions from the historic watch tower. In winter Hanskühnenburg is a popular waypoint on the Acker cross-country ski trail.
www.hanskuehnenburg-im-harz.de (website in German)
Molkenhaus National Park forest restaurant
The first Molkenhaus was built in 1665 at an old milking place. It primarily served as a lodge for the cowherds. In the course of history its location was changed and it was completely rebuilt. Today it is a popular hiking destination near Bad Harzburg and an attractive waypoint for those who pass by on their way to the Brocken. You can also take the bus (KVG line 875 (timetable in German), registration required for groups of 20 and more) to go to Molkenhaus. Nearby you can visit the animal watching station.
www.molkenhaus.de (website in German)
Plessenburg National Park forest restaurant
Plessenburg forest restaurant is a family business in the middle of the National Park. The original hunting lodge was built in 1775 and 76. Between 1967 and 1973 it was used as a local recreation facility. In 1973 Mr. and Mrs. Krebs started running Plessenburg as a restaurant for hikers. Between May and October you can go to there by bus.
www.plessenburg.de (website in German)
Rabenklippe National Park forest restaurant
"Rabenklippe satisfies the needs of hikers". That is the advertising message of this 130 year old wild and romantic hiking destination in the most northern part of the Harz. With some luck you can have a wonderful view of the Brocken and the opportunity to watch lynx in the nearby enclosure. If you do not want to walk you can get to the forest restaurant from Bad Harzburg by bus (KVG line 875 (timetable in German), registration required for groups of 20 and more) or by taking Burgberg cable car.
www.rabenklippe.de (website in German)
Rehberger Grabenhaus National Park forest restaurant
This was built in 1772 as a residence for the foreman of the historic ditch called "Rehberger Graben". Today Rehberger Grabenhaus lies alongside one of the most attractive hiking trails in Harz National Park – Rehberger Grabenweg. The trail connects Sankt Andreasberg and Oderteich reservoir. The short way to the restaurant (only 900 m) is ideal for the elderly, people with disabilities and wheelchair users. The public feeding of wild animals in winter is also very popular. Not far away from here you can find Goetheplatz, where the natural scientist and poet Goethe did his well-known studies on granite and its contact with other rocks.
www.rehberger-grabenhaus.de (website in German)
Rinderstall National Park forest restaurant
In the past, cowherds of Sankt Andreasberg took care of their cattle here and casually sold milk and bread to passing hikers. Today the forest restaurant lies within the National Park. Due to its location in the middle of the hiking zone between Braunlage and Sankt Andreasberg, Rinderstall is one of the most popular stops on hiking tours through the wonderful Oder valley. Starting from Braunlage, you get to Rinderstall by taking the Stölzerne Stiege route.
www.gaststaette-rinderstall.de (website in German)