Brocken, Mountain summit in Harz National Park, Germany.
Brocken is the highest point in the Harz range, reaching 1,141 meters (3,743 feet) above sea level near Wernigerode. Granite outcrops mark the summit area, while low shrubs and grasses grow in patches adapted to the harsh conditions present throughout the year.
Military forces used the summit as a surveillance station from 1961 until 1994, closing it to the public during those decades. The mountain reopened after reunification and now sits within protected parkland open to all.
Local legends speak of gatherings that took place here centuries ago, inspiring festivals held each spring when crowds dressed in costumes walk the trails. The summit itself remains a place where folklore and landscape meet in a way visitors still notice today.
A narrow-gauge steam train runs from Wernigerode to the top, while several hiking paths begin in Schierke and wind through forest sections. Weather shifts quickly, so visitors should bring warm layers and windproof jackets even during summer months.
A small botanical garden near the top preserves more than 1,500 mountain plant species from around the world and supports research dating back to 1890. Scientists observe how alpine flora adapts to different climates and use the site for comparative studies.
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