Brocken, Mountain summit in Harz National Park, Saxony-Anhalt, 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.

The Brocken is also called Blocksberg, a name linked to the witches' sabbath of German folklore, which Goethe used in Faust. The Brocken spectre, a climber's shadow thrown on fog, is often seen here. The summit's botanical garden holds about 1,600 alpine plants.

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.