Pit Red Bear

The former iron ore mine, located in the Bären Valley at the foot of the ankle, east of the mountain town, is now the core of the Roter Bär mine.

The Roter Bär mine in the east of the St. Andreasberg Silver Ore District experienced various uses. From the beginning of the 19th century until 1866, brown iron stone was mined in it. From 1922 onwards, the search for brown iron stone and after 1924, for example, lead, copper, zinc, arsenic, animion, cobalt and nickel.

In 1988, the mine was no longer accessible due to several breakdowns. With the foundation of the Mining Working Group, security and re-establishment work (excavation work) was started. As a result, the pit has been temporarily saved from decay and can now be walked again with visitors on a length of 200 m. This area is to be extended, because another 600 m of track with interesting geological discoveries is open and further routes are hidden behind breaks.

Since 1990, you can take part in guided tours in the day tunnel of the Roter Bär mine from April to October on Saturdays at 2 p.m. Unlike many other show mines, the mine is not illuminated. When visiting the pit, you have to adapt to the mine and equip yourself with rubber boots, helmet and headlamp. The members of the working group will teach you “live” mining, to touch and join in during the guided tours. By appointment, the working group also offers group tours during the week. Admission is free of charge, but a donation is requested to ensure the further preservation of the mines of the teaching mine.
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Teaching Mine Pit Red Bear
Red Bear 1
37444 St. Andreasberg

Tel: 05320- 22904 44
Email: info@oberharz.de
Internet: www.lehrbergwerk.de
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Opening hours:
From April to October every Saturday at 2 pm. Larger groups or other dates please only after registration with the mine administration under info@lehrbergwerk.de

Directly at the pit there are no parking spaces for visitors. Instead, please use the parking spaces at Glückauf-Weg (behind the local supermarket, footpath to the pit approx. 400 m) or in the laundry ground (Matthias-Schmidt-Berg, footpath approx. 350 m).