Presumably since about the 14th century mining was carried out in the Harz mountains southwest of Hasserode. The Hasseröder district included the three valleys Thumkuhlental, Drängetal and Holtemmetal. With various interruptions, the miners mainly mined cobalt, copper, nickel and lead ore. The veins of the ore, however, were not very productive, and the laborious activity of the miners was never crowned with any significant economic success.
At the end of the 18th century, a last attempt was made in Thumkuhlental to squeeze the mountain's profits. The associated mine was called "enlightened happiness" and began operation in 1786. Not least because of a devastating storm in 1795, which had high repair costs as well as a fire disaster eight years later, this mine had to close in 1804.
The remaining relics of the former mining works in the Hasseröder district can be visited today during a hike on the natural history and geology trail. Stations on this approximately seven-kilometer circular route are u.a. Hasserode station, Steinerne Renne station, the Holtemme hydroelectric power station and the former König Friedrich mine. Furthermore, you will pass the educational path at the already mentioned former mine "Aufgeklärtes Glück" and its gallery mouth.
Nearby is a reconstructed and functional artificial wheel with about 40 meters long field linkage, which drives a pump. It conveys water from a 70-meter-deep former exploration shaft of Wismut AG to the daylight. The power provided by this plant built according to the historical model around the turn of the millennium is about 1HP.
On the educational trail you will also see a presentation of various drills, wells and cores. Near the highway in the direction of Drei Annen Hohne you will find the Lossendenkmal. This is reminiscent of an important geologist, who made in the 19th century for the geological mapping of the Harz region deserves. On various information boards along the way you will also learn a lot of interesting facts about mining in the Harz.
The natural history and geology trail follows the path next to the Harzquerbahn track over long distances. The two stations mentioned above and the parking lot at the Lossendenkmal are good starting and finishing points for the hike.