On your way to the Harz mountains we stayed in Wernigerode. This cosy and beautiful city is really worth a visit. There´s and old castle and lots of nice restaurant and bakeries. The day after we went for a long hike. We started in Ilsenburg and followed the Heinrich-Heine-Weg through the Ilsen Valley (Ilsental) to the summit of the famous Brocken mountain (1142 meters), the highest peak in the Harz mountain range and also the highest peak in Northern Germany. Winding forest paths lead from the northern edge of the Harz mountains through forests and past rugged rock formations to the highest peak of the national park. There´s a restaurant and even a train station at the top.