Rappbode Dam

The wall of the Rappbode Dam measures 106 metres from foundation to crest, higher than any other in Germany. Behind it lies the largest reservoir in the Harz and the country's largest drinking-water reservoir, whose water flows as far as Halle and Leipzig. Since 2017 the Titan-RT suspension bridge, one of the longest of its kind, has spanned the valley right in front of the wall. Walking across the crest of the dam itself is free.

History: planned under the Kaiser, built in the GDR

The first ideas for dams in the Bode valley date back to 1891. An early plan envisaged a 150-metre wall above Thale that would have flooded villages such as Treseburg and Altenbrak along with the Bode gorge. Instead, a system of several dams was chosen. Work on the Rappbode began during the Second World War and stopped in 1942. The GDR revived the project: the foundation stone was laid on 1 September 1952, and the dam went into service on 3 October 1959, built with the help of the West German construction firm Polensky & Zöllner. The structure was renovated from 1995 to 2009 and in June 2022 was designated a Historic Landmark of Civil Engineering in Germany.

What to see

• Dam wall: The gravity dam is about 415 metres long, roughly 78 metres wide at the base and 12.5 metres at the crest. It contains around 860,000 m³ of concrete. The L 96 road runs along the crest, with a footpath and a view 90 metres down into the valley.
• Reservoir: About 9 kilometres long, usually only a few hundred metres wide, it holds more than 109 million m³ of water.
• Titan-RT: The 2017 suspension bridge hangs around 100 metres above the water of the Wendefurth reservoir. Its total length is 458.5 metres, and four 65 mm suspension cables carry the 120-tonne structure.
• Solitair: You can reach the top of this 39-metre steel observation tower via 160 steps or a glass lift.
• Tunnel portal: The inscriptions from the construction period survive at the south-eastern portal of the 219-metre road tunnel.

Good to know

Rappbode drinking water is very soft, averaging only about 3 degrees of German hardness. A 3.1-kilometre tunnel carries it to the waterworks near Wienrode, and from there pipelines take it as far as Halberstadt, Halle and Leipzig. Two turbines also generate electricity. Thrill-seekers will find a twin zip line, a giant swing and an "Ultrashot" catapult at the bridge and tower.

Opening hours and prices (as of October 2026)

• Dam wall: freely accessible and free of charge.
• Titan-RT and Solitair: open daily all year, 08:00–21:30. Outside ticket-office hours, tickets are sold from a machine at the bridge entrance.
• Suspension bridge: €7.50, children aged 4 to 14 €5. Bridge and tower: €11, children €8.
• The bridge may close in storms, thunderstorms or heavy rain. Wheelchairs and pushchairs are only allowed after registering at the ticket office.

Getting there and parking

The dam is on the L 96 between Rübeland and Hasselfelde. The large car parks are right in front of and behind the tunnel. Cars pay a flat €2.50 for up to three hours or €5 for a day ticket. By public transport, take bus 260 from Wernigerode station; it reaches the Rübeland, Talsperre stop in about 30 minutes.

Tripto tip

Walk across the dam crest first, as it gives you the best view of the whole Titan-RT bridge. One to two hours are enough for the wall, bridge and tower. In autumn the deciduous forests of the Rappbode valley turn especially vivid. Sturdy shoes are a must on the bridge, as the walkway is made of metal grating. If you have more time, combine your visit with the stalactite caves in Rübeland.