Germany: 65-Meter High Observation Tower with Skywalk & Adventure Slide Being Built in the Harz Mountains

Today’s official groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of construction of a new attraction that will add a spectacular new excursion destination to the Harz Mountains from 2022. In Torfhaus, the highest village in the Upper Harz Mountains at 812 meters, a 65-meter-high observation tower is being built under the name of “Harzturm” with a 360-degree view of the low mountain range, a glass skywalk and a 110-meter-long adventure slide leading down from the tower. Harzturm GmbH is investing around eight million euros in the project, which is being funded by the state of Lower Saxony together with the federal government with a sum of around 1.4 million euros.

Arriving on the 360-degree panoramic observation platform, visitors will be able to enjoy a unique view of the Brocken and the entire surrounding Harz Mountains as well as the Harz National Park. The glass skywalk at a height of approx. 45 meters will provide a lot of excitement for thrill-seeking guests. The descent can be made by an elevator, a staircase or via the 110-meter long adventure slide made of stainless steel that loops around the tower.

“We expect to start operation of the tower in the spring of 2022,” says Hannes Mairinger, Managing Director of the Harzturm GmbH. The hotel and tourism industry expert may still be known to many from his more than ten-year tenure (2002-2013) as Managing Director of Germany’s Heide Park Resort. The design of the 65-meter-high, wooden tower structure, was created by Austrian planners Dietmar Kaden (architect) and Markus Lackner (structural engineer). The tower will be complemented by an entrance building with service rooms, a café and a souvenir shop. (eap)