Holiday Magazine 2023

Zeit zu bleiben 12
… FÜR KULINARIK
VISIONÄRE
13
Time to stay
… FOR ADVENTURERS
TWO PIONEERS IN
TERMS OF THRILL
©Harzdrenalin GmbH / Blende2
Also privately, Maik Berke is addicted to everything in the higher pulse
range: Whether parachute, bungee or pendulum jump – he has tried
nearly everything und gladly uses these private adrenalin kicks for
his own projects. With “Harzdrenalin” at the Rappbode Dam he
and his brother have added an attraction to the Harz, which is
unparalleled.
MAIK BERKE
MANAGING DIRECTOR OF
HARZDRENALIN
Was the vision with the longest suspension
bridge an inspiration at the after
work beers according to the motto “One
would have to …”? And where should
one go with such an idea?
I brought the idea with the Mega Zip line
from New Zealand. There it is nearly standard.
The bridge was a “result” after that.
At the time we went to the district administrator
of the Harz District. There we got
the organizational and bureaucratic basic
points, contact persons, etc. Looking back I
would say that many found the project great,
but at the beginning no one has really
believed in the realization.
What were the biggest challenges during
the construction time of the bridge?
I think that a lot of it was pioneer work.
Before, no one had ever done such a thing:
How is the underground in the water? How
deep must it be anchored in the slate rock
and who is skilled to do that? Surely you
would find a few people in the world who
would want to do that, but are they skilled
enough? In the end, we had many specialists
at our side, among others from the fields of
geo mechanics, geology, steel construction,
statics, concrete construction, rope, rope
statics, wind power, etc.
Was there a moment when you doubted the
completion?
There were actually some about the Zip Line.
When no one else has done it so far, you have
to consider many things. Doesn’t it sound
crazy when you say that you want to erect
a building which is next to a drinking water
protection area and a listed dam and in addition
leads over a dam area and different acreage?
Where do you start? For the construction
of the Mega Zip Line everything was pioneer
work, which we then could use for the construction
of the bridge.
What are the advantages and disadvantages
of working together with your own brother?
For me personally there are only advantages.
There is only one person with whom I would
do it again and that’s my brother.
In a very confined space you offer the most
different attractions. Do you also hear critical
voices sometimes? Is there a contrast between
the thirst of people for adventures and
the original nature experience of the Harz?
Of course I see it critical at some places but
the Rappbode valley has been in “human
hands” for decades. Everything is created artificially:
the valley as well as the reservoir, the
concrete dam or the roads. With our “Harzdrenalin”
we have not destroyed something
original, but have integrated it well in the
existing. Apart from that, we have to carry
out double compensation and recultivation
measures for everything we build there.
What vision do you have for the Harz as a
tourist region?
I would wish further new ideas and not that
the same attraction is simply copied in another
location. Nobody needs a copy of the
copy.
GIGASWING
All brave can look forward to free fall
of 75 m. Under the longest suspension
bridge of its kind you can fill up adrenalin
and have a breathtaking view.
ULTRASHOT
As a human catapult you will be hurled
38 m in the air-unique worldwide, an
once-in-a-lifetime event with a guaranteed
increased heart rate.
SOLITAIR
The new viewing tower can be climbed
over 160 steps or barrier free with the
panorama glass lift: 39 m above the area
with a premium view.
WALLRUNNING
Running down a little hill? No problem!
But run down a vertical wall? In wall running
that’s exactly the goal. So put your
safety belt on, lean over the edge and
breathe!
MEGAZIPLINE
Hover with the largest double zip line 120 m
above the chasm and with up to 85 kph
above the dam-this unique experience is
possible here.
TITAN-RT
With a length of 458,5 m, the suspension
bridge with its filigree rope construction
is the longest of its kind in the world. So
get on the catwalk and enjoy!
Contact:
harzdrenalin.de
©Harzdrenalin GmbH / Blende2
Unique and unforgettable: Fly across the Rappbode Dam by the Mega Zip Line