Saxony walks

Everything comes from the mine! On the mining and remediation nature trail, visitors experience the close connection between people and mining. Nature lovers and history buffs alike will find something to enjoy here.

The mining trail covers 13.7 kilometres through the "Greifenstein area" and features over 30 stations with impressive evidence of historical mining as well as traces in nature, landscape and culture.

Everything comes from mining! – This motto characterises the mining town of Schneeberg. Here, nature, geology, history and world heritage come together. Rich silver finds led to the emergence of the mining town of Schneeberg in 1471. After the decline of silver mining, the rich cobalt ore deposits gained worldwide importance from the 16th century onwards. From the 16th to the 19th century, the Schneeberg district was the world's largest and most important source of cobalt ore. The popular cobalt blue extracted from the ore was used in ceramics, porcelain and glass design. The lovingly decorated Baroque buildings are also witnesses to this period. Many valuable artefacts from the historic mining era in Schneeberg have been preserved, especially in Neustädtel. As early as 1978, the unique landscape, characterised by mining, was declared a protected monument. Since 6 July 2019, the Schneeberg mining landscape has also been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Ore Mountains/Krušnohoří Mining Region".

The hike along the nature and mining trail takes you to the "Hoher Forst" World Heritage Site in the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří mining region and is very well signposted with information boards.

The circular hike leads along the Köhlerweg around Sosa and offers magnificent views of the charcoal burners' village. To this day, one of the oldest craft techniques known to mankind can be experienced first-hand in Sosa. The circular hike on the Köhlerweg around Sosa leads past historic charcoal kilns and offers magnificent panoramic views of the idyllically situated charcoal burner's village. Along the way, you can watch the last commercial charcoal burner in the Ore Mountains at work in his sooty craft. Near the large car park at the dam is the former quarry for the quarry stones used in the dam wall of the Sosa dam, built between 1949 and 1952, which later also housed a charcoal kiln and where a show charcoal kiln is currently being built. Another impressive sight is the dam wall of the Sosa dam, from where there is an impressive view over the water to the Auersberg or deep into the wild and romantic rocky valley of the Höllengrund.

Three districts and sweeping views around the Heidberg This enjoyable circular walk connects the three districts of Gornau, Dittmannsdorf, Witzschdorf and Gornau, forming a varied tour around the Heidberg. You can start the walk in any of the three villages. Those starting in Dittmannsdorf pass a lovingly designed farm with a pond before a small forest provides shade and finally wide views over fields and meadows open up. With these panoramic views, the route gently climbs uphill on a wide dirt road before descending towards Gornau. A quiet deciduous forest with small ponds provides relaxation before a bridge leads into the village. Shortly afterwards, the path plunges back into nature and runs along meadow paths with impressive views of the Höllmühl and Zschopau valleys. Augustusburg Castle – the "crown of the Ore Mountains" – majestically accompanies the last section of this harmonious little hike in the distance.