Hexentanzplatz in the Harz mountains

One of the places with a comprehensive set of attractions, and one of the best places in Northern Germany to visit in the fall.

The German name Hexentanzplatz translates as "the place where witches dance," and witches are known to be a symbol of the Harz Mountains. The location is considered an old Saxon place of worship, where festivals in honor of forest and mountain goddesses were held on the night of May 1.

Witches' souvenirs and sculptures are everywhere.






There are two ways to get to the top, by car or by cable car. I highly recommend the second way, as the views are incredible.

From the lower parking lot, cross the river on the bridge.


And walk past the tourist lodges and restaurants.


There are two cablecar stations below, skip the first one, to Rosstrappe.


There is a pretty big amusement park for kids near the lower cabel car stations. With playgrounds, rides and a rope park.


Arrive early as queues can be quite long on weekends.


View of the city of Thale from the cabel car.


Rocks on the way


At the top station, go around the building and go to the viewpoint right here 51.736564, 11.028846. You will walk on strange stones, at first I even wondered why a normal path had not been laid here. It turned out that these stones are the remains of Sachsenwall, an ancient defensive wall built here in 750-450 BC.

Another landmark is the beautiful wooden building Walpurgis Hall. It was built in 1901 in order to create a room for the celebration of Walpurgis Night. Even further away is one of the largest open-air theaters, Harzer Bergtheater Thale.


Go to the left of the hall and you will come to an excellent viewpoint, which offers a view of Rostrappe and the city of Thale.




Next, go back to the cable car station and climb the path to the central part of Hexentanzplatz. There are many restaurants and shops, as well as a huge car park. Behind the parking lot is the Harzbob, summer sled run.




"Upside down house"


There is also another viewpoint.


The canyon you see is called Bodetal.


Climb even higher, to a small zoo with animals that inhabit the Harz mountain range. The big five are: black grouse, lynx, red deer, raccoon and wild cat.








At the end of the walk around the zoo, go to a cozy cafe on the territory, there is also a playground and a petting zoo.








Useful links with opening hours and prices:
https://www.seilbahnen-thale.de/en/attractions/gondola/opening-hours/ - cable car
https://www.seilbahnen-thale.de/en/attractions/fun-island/opening-hours/ - amusement park near the lower cabel car station
https://www.seilbahnen-thale.de/en/attractions/harzbob/ - summer sleigh
https://www.bodetal.de/bodetalurlaub/tierpark/ - zoo
https://www.bodetal.de/bodetalurlaub/veranstaltungen/harzerbergtheater/ - theater


Getting there: parking upstairs 51.732201, 11.026720, parking downstairs 51.746173, 11.026835.