Tierpark Hexentanzplatz, Zoo near Bodetal Nature Reserve, Thale, Germany
Tierpark Hexentanzplatz is a zoo on the Hexentanzplatz plateau above the Bodetal valley in Thale, reached by the Friedrichsbrücke suspension bridge or the Hexentanzplatz cable car. Its enclosures hold Harz species such as lynx, wildcats, raccoons and birds of prey, set among beech and oak woods on sloping ground.
The site began as a small facility in the 1970s and developed into a modern wildlife area over the following decades. Since then, the facility has focused on protecting regional animal species and their natural habitats.
The plateau's name comes from the Harz witch legends, and a witches' dance floor and devil's chapel are marked among the rocks. The animal park opened here in 1962, the same year the Harz narrow-gauge railway reached the plateau station. Visitors ride the cable car or the train up and pass the witches' figures on the way to the enclosures.
The grounds are easy to walk through, with paths that wind through the forested and open areas. A typical visit takes two to three hours, depending on your pace and how long you spend watching each animal.
The grounds sit on a plateau that holds a special place in regional folklore as a legendary location. The elevated position offers visitors sweeping views of the Bodetal gorge and the surrounding forests.
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