Altenau, Climatic health resort in Lower Saxony, Germany.
Altenau sits at roughly 500 meters elevation in mountain valleys of the Oberharz and runs along the Oker River. The town mixes houses, small forests, and hillside meadows into a scattered settlement.
The settlement began in the 13th century as a mining outpost and grew through iron and silver extraction. Closure of these works in the 19th and early 20th centuries led to development as a health resort instead.
The wooden St. Nikolai Church from the 17th century shapes the town's appearance and stands where two streams meet. It shows how long people have lived here and what value residents placed on community.
Visitors find hiking information and orientation advice at the local Tourist Information center. The area offers many walking paths, so sturdy shoes and seasonal clothing are recommended for getting around.
A large herb garden in the nearby Schultal valley displays an unusual variety of plant species. This garden is surprisingly extensive and draws visitors interested in botany or natural medicine.
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