Everything that makes the Harz special, begins here.
Das Vitalhotel lies in the middle of the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Harz Water Management System — right on the Oker Reservoir, next to Germany's northernmost bike park. What other hotels advertise as „nearby“ is here, quite literally, the path to your front door.
Hiking trails, ski areas, thermal baths, mines, boat lines, culture and gastronomy spread across a radius of zero to 35 kilometres. With the Harz Guest Card many of them are free or discounted for you.
Distance overview
Das Vitalhotel at the centre
All distances from the hotel · driving time approx. 1 min / km
01 — Right on the doorstep
Lake Oker comes with it. No transfer, no planning.
0 kmUNESCO World Heritage
Nature & Water
Oker Reservoir & Dam
225 hectares of clear mountain water right at our doorstep. Swimming, stand-up paddling, sailing, fishing — or simply sitting on the jetty and watching the light move across the lake. The 75-metre-high dam wall can be reached on foot in 90 minutes and offers a view you won't forget in a hurry.
Address
Schulenberg im Oberharz (on foot directly from the hotel)
Hours
Freely accessible at all times
Admission
Free · fishing permit from 8,00 € (day ticket, from May 1)
Harz Guest Card
ReducedOker Reservoir fishing permit — 1,00 € discount on the day ticket
Themed hikes around Schulenberg — straight from the hotel, free for all overnight guests. The routes follow the historic water-management system of the Upper Harz (UNESCO World Heritage), lead to the Oker Reservoir and through the mountain forests. Start times and meeting points at the Schulenberg Tourist Information.
The fitness trail right by the hotel is free to use — for all guests, at any time of day. Strength, stretching and coordination exercises at open-air stations along a forest path. Ideal as a morning routine or for active recovery between excursions.
The only scheduled boat on a Harz reservoir — and one of the most peaceful ways to get to know the Upper Harz. 90 minutes on 35 metres of steel, past cliff formations and forests, to the dam wall and back. On board: Restaurant Nautico with hot dishes, cake and Harz cream puffs.
Germany's northernmost bike park — with real character. Six trails, a chairlift up to 645 metres above sea level, a downhill that draws World Cup riders from across northern Germany. Chicken ways for beginners. The combination ticket with the St. Andreasberg bike park expands the offering considerably. Season April to October.
When the first snow falls, the neighbourhood transforms. Four pistes, two double drag lifts, a black slalom run — and reliably skiable thanks to snowmaking. No parking at the lift: five shuttle stops take you there and back in comfort (2 €).
Ten minutes. One highlight after another. Altenau, Clausthal, Wildemann, the Oker valley.
5 kmFree with guest card
Spa & Sauna
Kristall »Heißer Brocken«
Thermal brine and sauna world right inside the Altenau spa centre — and completely free for all Vitalhotel guests with the Harz Guest Card. Thermal water, saunas, steam baths and relaxation areas in a calm atmosphere. A highlight many Harz visitors never discover.
Over 30,000 m² planted with herbs and spices from around the world — Germany's largest herb park lies ten minutes from the hotel. The fragrant stroll through the beds is one of those moments when you understand why people come to the Harz. Shop and café open in winter, too.
A Harz institution. Savoury cream puffs with Harz cheese, sweet ones with wild berries, classic ones with vanilla cream — in the Gemkental valley near Altenau, the Windbeutel-Paradies has held its firm place in the Harz for decades. Expect a queue. It's worth it.
The former seat of Upper Harz mining is today a university town — and one of the most underrated destinations in the Harz. Europe's largest wooden church, the Upper Harz Mining Museum with a real mine tour, the university's mineral collection and the birthplace of Nobel laureate Robert Koch. All in one place.
Address
Clausthal-Zellerfeld · approx. 8 km · Tourist Info: Adolph-Roemer-Str. 20
Hands-on glass art — at the historic glassworks of the Crafts Yard, visitors can watch glass balls being blown and try it themselves. Several workshops of different trades on one site. Ideal for an afternoon that lasts longer than planned.
Descend underground into the history of Upper Harz mining — the 19-Lachter-Stollen in Wildemann is one of the most impressive show mines in the region. Helmets required, protective clothing, real tunnels. Not a theme park — the real thing.
64 metres of free fall — the highest waterfall in the Harz, created in 1863 by King George V to frame his hunting lodge romantically. In spring the meltwater roars over the cliff. In winter it freezes completely and attracts ice climbers. Free parking right on the B498, no entry fee.
Address
On the B498, Romkerhall · approx. 12 km · free parking
The open-air pool in Wildemann sits idyllically nestled in the Oker valley — a classic summer pool with a diving tower and lawn. Admission is reduced with the Harz Guest Card. Perfect for hot Harz days.
A full programme as a day trip. Goslar, Braunlage, Bad Harzburg.
20 km
Ski Area & Hiking
Braunlage & Wurmberg
The Wurmberg is northern Germany's largest ski area — wide pistes, a toboggan run, a fun park and a gondola with views of the Brocken. In summer the mountain bike trails open and the Harz National Park offers hikes through untouched landscape. The indoor and leisure pool is half price with the guest card.
Goslar has the oldest completely preserved medieval townscape in Germany. Imperial Palace, 1,500 half-timbered houses, a Gothic town hall. Right on the edge of town: the Rammelsberg — the only mine in the world to have operated without interruption for over 1,000 years, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. The Museumsufer and Imperial Palace are free with the guest card.
Brine spa and sauna world in Bad Harzburg — one of the most renowned wellness addresses in the Harz. Several saunas, an outdoor brine pool, steam baths. With the Harz Guest Card there is a fixed discount on every rate. Ideal as a full-day destination after an active week of hiking.
The HarzWaldHaus combines natural history, environmental education and hands-on experience across several floors — for families and nature lovers alike. The Harz Guest Card grants an unusually high discount: 50 % off admission. An outing that pairs well with the treetop walk next door.
A 1,000-metre path 20 to 26 metres above the forest floor — year-round, barrier-free, with 18 platforms, glass canopies and a skywalk. Combine it with the Burgberg cable car and the HarzWaldHaus for a day out you won't forget.
113 km of UNESCO water management. And that's just one trail.
UNESCO World Heritage · 113 km
WasserWanderWege
The heart of the Upper Harz hiking network: 113 kilometres along the historic water-management system that powered the mining district for centuries. Ponds, ditches, tunnels — all accessible on foot. Cultural heritage and nature in one.
FreeGuided hikes Schulenberg — free with guest card
Stamp card · Bronze / Silver / Gold
Harzer Wandernadel
The Harz stamp-card system: 222 stamp boxes spread across tourist highlights throughout the entire Harz region. Collect enough and you earn a hiking badge in bronze, silver or gold. Suitable for beginners and experienced hikers alike.
Stamp card free at the Schulenberg Tourist Info · Tel. +49 (0)5328 802-0
Therapeutic · Certified
Climatic Health Hiking Altenau
Altenau is an officially recognised climatic health resort. Climatic health hiking uses the special mountain climate therapeutically — guided, in small groups, with a medically grounded approach. Suitable for beginners, too.
Altenau Tourist Info · Tel. +49 (0)5328 802-0 · www.oberharz.de
Harz Guest Card
ReducedThemed climatic health hikes — 1,00 € discount with guest card
Long-distance trail · challenging
Teufelsstieg
The Teufelsstieg is one of the best-known long-distance trails in the Harz — technically demanding, scenically spectacular. Rock passages, stream crossings, far-reaching views. Reachable from Schulenberg in several stages.
Schulenberg Tourist Info · Tel. +49 (0)5328 802-0
Nature · Moorland
Torfhausmoor & Oderteich
The Torfhaus Moor is one of the oldest raised bogs in Lower Saxony — a peculiar landscape preserved more completely here than in any other German low-mountain region. The Oderteich next to it is one of the oldest reservoirs in Germany.
Torfhaus (National Park Centre) · approx. 15 km from the hotel
Relaxation · Mindfulness
Forest Bathing in the Harz Forest
Forest bathing — the conscious lingering in the forest — finds ideal conditions in the Upper Harz with its quiet spruce and mixed forests. Guided forest-bathing sessions on request via the Tourist Information.
Schulenberg Tourist Info · Tel. +49 (0)5328 802-0 · www.oberharz.de
05 — Cycling & MTB
Downhill, Devil's Trail, e-bike. The Upper Harz has the right pace for everyone.
MTB · single track · challenging
Devil's Trail
The Devil's Trail is the best-known single track in the Upper Harz — technical, narrow, demanding. Descents through dense forest with natural obstacles. For experienced mountain bikers who know what they're doing. Starts in the Schulenberg / Altenau area.
Schulenberg Tourist Info · Tel. +49 (0)5328 802-0 · www.oberharz.de
E-bike · leisure tours · all levels
E-Bike Tours Upper Harz
Several signposted e-bike routes open up the Upper Harz comfortably — from short day tours to multi-day routes. The Tourist Information keeps up-to-date maps and route recommendations on hand.
Schulenberg Tourist Info · Tel. +49 (0)5328 802-0 · www.oberharz.de
MTB rental · 5 km
Bike Rental Altenau
MTB Rental Harz in Altenau hires out mountain bikes and e-bikes — ideal for spontaneous tours or when you've left your own bike at home. Daily and weekly rental, helmets and protectors included.
MTB Rental Harz · 38707 Altenau · approx. 5 km from the hotel
MTB & e-bike · 8 km
Bike Rental Clausthal
OutdoorCenter Harz in Clausthal-Zellerfeld offers mountain bikes, e-bikes and standard bicycles — with advice on suitable tours for all fitness levels.
OutdoorCenter Harz · 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld · approx. 8 km
Tarmac & gravel · for endurance riders
Gravel & Road Cycling
The Upper Harz high roads and surfaced forest and service tracks offer outstanding conditions for gravel and road cycling — little traffic, wide views, clean air.
Schulenberg Tourist Info · Tel. +49 (0)5328 802-0
Cycle touring · marked routes
Volksbank Arena Harz
The regional cycle network of the Volksbank Arena Harz comprises numerous signposted routes of varying difficulty — for families, leisure cyclists and sporty riders alike.
Current map at the Tourist Info · Tel. +49 (0)5328 802-0
06 — Fishing
38 waters. UNESCO World Heritage. Brown trout, pike, carp, eel.
The Upper Harz Ponds are part of the UNESCO World Heritage water-management system — and at the same time one of the most attractive fishing grounds in northern Germany. With the Harz Guest Card, a fixed discount applies to day and multi-day fishing permits.
UNESCO World Heritage · ~38 waters
Upper Harz Ponds
Around 38 historic storage ponds from the Upper Harz mining water network are open to anglers — from April 15. Brown trout, pike, perch, carp and eel. Day ticket 14,50–15,50 €, 3-day ticket 31,50–35,50 €.
Schulenberg Tourist Info · Tel. +49 (0)5328 802-0 · www.oberharz.de
The Oker Reservoir right outside the hotel door opens to anglers from May 1. Day ticket 8–10 €, season ticket 60 €. Brown trout and pike in 225 hectares of mountain water.
Fishing permits via Schulenberg Tourist Info · Tel. +49 (0)5328 802-0
Harz Guest Card
ReducedDay fishing permit — 1,00 € discount
Seasonal fishing · July – November
Innerste Dam
The Innerste Dam is accessible from July to the end of November. 3-day tickets from 35 €, available at the Tourist Information. A quiet fishing spot away from the main routes.
Schulenberg Tourist Info · Tel. +49 (0)5328 802-0
A valid fishing licence is required. Fishing permits available at the Schulenberg Tourist Information. All information without guarantee — please check current season dates in advance.
Harz Guest Card
Included. For every guest.
With the guest contribution, all overnight guests receive the Harz Guest Card — and the HATIX ticket for free bus travel throughout the Upper Harz. Here is a selection of the benefits in your immediate surroundings.
Current timetables, weather info and personal recommendations — just ask by email. We're happy to share specific tours, fishing spots and insider tips.
