IllustrationCome to Degenershausen for a manageable tree-filled walk with a pond, a striking obelisk and a flower garden close to the entrance.
Come to Degenershausen for a manageable tree-filled walk with a pond, a striking obelisk and a flower garden close to the entrance. Start by the Parkscheune, the old estate barn, and take a moment to look across the open grass. Mature trees stand singly and in groups, so you can see their whole shapes rather than just a wall of leaves. It is a lovely setting for letting children choose a tree to look at more closely.
The park covers about twelve hectares. Its collection brings together native and introduced trees and shrubs, with more than 175 kinds and varieties to discover. A horse-chestnut, tulip tree and cucumber magnolia are among the trees picked out in the park guide. If the information office is open, ask for the tree leaflet before you walk; it gives you something more useful to follow than trying to recognise every tree at once.
Head towards the small pond for a change of pace. The Harzer Wandernadel stamp box, number 202, gives children a definite destination, and a pause beside the water makes a good halfway moment. Keep younger children close to you at the edge. The family burial ground lies on a rise nearby; treat that part of the grounds as a quiet memorial rather than a place to play.
Save the perennial display garden beside the barn for the end, when you can decide how much energy remains. Its beds occupy the area of an earlier botanical garden and offer a closer look at flowering plants than the broad park lawns. The obelisk, flower beds and spreading trees make very different photo subjects. Try one wide view, one tree outline and one close-up from the path, then compare what everyone chose. Planning to visit? Download the Snappit app to identify the wildlife you spot in real-time.
Johann Christian Degener bought the land in 1834 as part of a wedding gift for his daughter Amalie and her husband. The estate developed into a landscape park over several generations, with a botanical collection added in 1914 and further changes around 1924. The manor house was demolished in 1986–87, so the “former manor house” marked on the plan is a historic site rather than a house you can tour. Restoration brought back the obelisk in 1993, using steel in place of the original iron monument erected in 1859. The restored park reopened in 1995.
The published “13. Tour Mein erstes Stempelheft” is a 1.43 km circuit from the visitor car park, with 16 m of ascent. Enter by the large gate, turn left with the obelisk on your right and follow the path to the pond-side stamp box. Return from the pond spur to the main path, continue right around the outer park and come back along its western side to the entrance and car park. Allow 60–90 minutes with looking stops. For a shorter 30–45-minute visit, go only as far as the pond and retrace the same paths to the gate. That shortened option has no measured distance. Both use gravel park paths; the full circuit adds a longer return through the grounds. The often-quoted 2.8 km is the whole path network, not the length of either visit.
The park is free to visit throughout the year. Plan to come in daylight and check the entrance notice and current visitor information for any changed arrangements. The information office currently opens only on Wednesdays and Thursdays; the outdoor park has separate access. Wet leaves, frost and saturated gravel can change how comfortable the paths feel, even on a short visit.
Entry and the main paths are step-free, with gravel chippings underfoot. The secondary paths are also described as accessible, and seating is available. Six designated accessible parking spaces and an accessible toilet beside the barn are listed. The Parkscheune has step-free visitor rooms, with manually operated doors over 90 cm wide. Minimum path widths, detailed gradients and toilet opening times are not supplied. Before a visit that depends on these facilities, confirm current access with the Förderverein; loose or wet gravel may require more effort. Assistance dogs are allowed.
An obelisk standing among broad park views
The pond and Harzer Wandernadel stamp box 202
A tree collection with horse-chestnut, tulip tree and cucumber magnolia
The perennial garden beside the Parkscheune
Start at the main entrance beside the Parkscheune. Take the left-hand park path, keeping the obelisk on your right, and follow it towards the pond. Use the short spur to reach stamp box 202. Stop here rather than committing to the outer circuit.
Main and secondary paths are described as accessible. The published full circuit belongs to a pushchair-friendly tour collection; check personal wheelchair requirements and current toilet availability with the Förderverein.
Start at the visitor car park and enter through the large gate. Turn left, with the obelisk on your right, and follow the main path to the pond. Take the short spur to stamp box 202 and return to its junction. Continue right along the outer path around the southern park.
Main and secondary paths are described as accessible. The published full circuit belongs to a pushchair-friendly tour collection; check personal wheelchair requirements and current toilet availability with the Förderverein.
Choose a wide view with the obelisk, a single tree crown and a flower or leaf visible from the path. Let everyone pick a favourite. Which picture tells you most about the park, and which shows something you almost walked past?
If the weather is merely damp, you can stay near the entrance-side garden and return when the children have had enough. Persistent rain is a good reason to save the longer circuit for another day. The barn is not a dependable indoor alternative outside its opening or event times.
Use the tree leaflet to find the horse-chestnut, then stand far enough back to see its crown against the open park. Compare its branching with a neighbouring tree. If leaves are within view from the path, make a photograph instead of pulling a branch down.
Look for the tulip tree identified in the park leaflet. Make a whole-tree photograph first, then compare any leaves you can see with those of the horse-chestnut. You do not need to catch it in flower for it to be worth a stop.
In spring, look from the paths for patches of crocuses in the grass. A low photograph from the path edge can show both flowers and the trees beyond them. Avoid stepping into the bulbs for a closer angle.
Look for daffodils among the spring planting in the grass. Compare the outline of an individual flower with a wider view of the patch. Choose an angle you can reach from the path and leave flowers and leaves untouched.
The park plan marks an “Ehemaliges Herrenhaus”, or former manor house. The building was demolished in 1986–87. Looking at that empty place helps explain why the obelisk and old estate barn now stand out so strongly in the garden.
Parking, the bus stop, information office, perennial garden and accessible toilet are grouped near the entrance on the official plan. Check the notices and toilet access before heading for the pond. The information office’s limited opening days do not mean the whole park is closed.
Each card links to a full Explore page with photos, traits, and fun facts.
Start with the big picture, then zoom in to explore individual wildlife observations around this place.
Find the park entrance
Use Degenershausen 8, 06543 Falkenstein/Harz, OT Wieserode. Visitor parking is directly beside the park on the road between Gartenhaus and Wieserode. Parking is charged; check the signs when you arrive.
Plan both bus journeys
HVB line 243 serves Degenershausen, with weekday connections through Ermsleben and Pansfelde. Check the current timetable or INSA for your date, including school-holiday restrictions and the return. Do not assume the weekday service runs at weekends.
Watch for Rufbus journeys
A journey marked as Rufbus needs a booking on +49 391 5363180 at least one hour before it leaves its first stop. That deadline may be earlier than one hour before your own boarding time.
Bring your stamp booklet
Number 202 is beside the pond. Keep the booklet dry and leave enough time for children to enjoy the stop rather than rushing around the circuit.
Get help before setting off
The tree leaflet is available at the information office in the Parkscheune. For opening questions or a guided visit, contact the Förderverein on +49 1511 4308634; tours are arranged in advance.
Pack a drink and snack
Bring what your family needs and check toilet access before walking away from the entrance area. Do not rely on the barn being open as an indoor stopping place.
Look without picking
Stay on the paths beside flower displays and spring bulbs. Photograph branches, flowers and leaves where they grow, and leave the plants for the next visitors.
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
Maryland, US
You might spot White-Tailed Deer and Eastern Gray Squirrel.
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District of Columbia, US
You might spot Eastern Gray Squirrel, Duck, and House Sparrow.
View guide →
Illinois, US
You might spot American Robin, Canada Goose, and House Sparrow.
View guide →
Virginia, US
You might spot Spotted Lanternfly and Northern Cardinal.
View guide →
Take the discovery with you
Identify the wildlife you spot, learn as you go, and keep a collection of the adventure.
