Top 8 Natural Monuments in Staufenberg

These rocks lie somewhat overgrown in the forest. Anyone who doesn't mind a bit of undergrowth can climb up to them.

A very beautiful and adventurous path to the secluded spot of the castle. Unfortunately, there are neither views nor information about the former site to enjoy. I either couldn't find the information board for the latter, or it has been removed. The former is not visible due to the very dense forest growth. Nevertheless, it's a worthwhile spot.

There isn't much left to see - but it's still a nice place to take a break.

The former inner-German border ran right through the two tribes of the Two-Country Empire and thus gave its name

The Staufenburg, located in the town of Zorge, was built as early as 1243. Count Dietrich von Hohnstein is considered to have built this castle on the Kleiner Staufenberg, and he probably built it as a means of exerting power against his opponents, the Counts of Clettenberg. The castle was initially founded illegally on the land of the Walkenried monastery. But in 1243 the Hohnsteiners were able to legalize the construction - in return for compensation payments. Ten years later the Hohnsteiner counts had won the feud with the Clettenbergers and taken possession of their castle. The Staufenburg had thus lost its strategic importance. The Hohnsteiners therefore had no further use for it and Count Heinrich von Hohnstein began negotiations again with the Walkenried monastery - for the purpose of buying back the Kleiner Staufenberg. The monks were interested and bought back the castle hill and castle in 1253 for 200 silver marks. The monastery was also allowed to demolish the castle. The Staufenburg, which was located on the eastern bank of the Zorge, about 0.5 km south of the southern end of the town, was not a particularly large complex. The inner castle had the dimensions of about 25 x 50 m with an elongated oval/polygonal shape. The inner castle, of whose buildings no structural remains remain, was probably surrounded by a simple ring wall, of which there are still remains on the southeast side. The ascent to the Staufenberg, which is now a nature reserve, can be made from Zorge. There is a kindergarten on the left-hand side of Staufenberg Street. About 30 m north of this, a narrow path branches off to the right at an acute angle uphill. This path later takes a zigzag course to the mountain saddle, from where it goes slightly uphill to the right. Source: https://www.burgen.ausflugsziele-harz.de/ausflugsziele-sehenswertes/burg-schloss/staufenburg-zorge.htm

For almost 40 long years, the "Iron Curtain" separated people and nature throughout Europe. While it was deadly for people, it was a blessing for nature: endangered animals and plants had found an undisturbed home in the shadow of the border. Today, the former border strip stretches across Europe as the "Green Belt" - a treasure trove of biodiversity. The inner-German border was particularly painful in the Harz Mountains: people in the East and West could only see the Brocken - an imposing and widely visible symbol of the Harz Mountains - from a distance. It was in a military restricted area. Today, the Harz Mountains have a new face: the life-giving Green Belt winds its way along the former death strip - rich in attractions: natural beauty nestles alongside cultural treasures. Adventurous excursions go hand in hand with contemplative moments. And you can hike to your heart's content... through pure wilderness or on the trail of German history. Source: https://www.harzinfo.de/naturlandschaft-harz/das-gruene-band

The detour there leads up an adventurous and sometimes very steep path. Only remnants of the ramparts can be seen from the castle.

Very beautiful in autumn with its colors and atmospheric fog.