Werda: Forest, Reservoir and Winter Trails

Werda brings together forest scenery, a reservoir and seasonal winter sports. The Werda Reservoir, also known as the Geigenbach Reservoir, lies in a wooded part of the Vogtland region and dams the Geigenbach stream. It is a destination for excursions and nature lovers; at the same time, water management shapes its character.

The Reservoir and Its History

The reservoir supplies raw water for drinking water treatment and is located in a drinking water protection zone. Swimming, fishing and water sports are therefore not permitted there. Here, the water is part of the landscape and the drinking water supply, not a place for these recreational activities. Visitors can instead focus on its forest setting and its role as a water engineering structure.

Its origins are also part of the area's history: the reservoir was built between 1904 and 1909 and put into operation in 1910. It dams the Geigenbach stream and is also known as the Geigenbach Reservoir. At this one location, visitors encounter the wooded Vogtland landscape and a structure that has served as a source of drinking water for more than a century.

Forest Trails and Tours in the Vogtland

The green forests around Werda offer opportunities for walking, cycling and hiking. Other hiking trails lead from Werda towards Schöneck and Grünbach; excursions can also head towards the Valley of Ten Mills. These destinations offer different ways to enjoy the outdoors, without requiring every tour to follow the same route or start from the same place.

One specific route option is the Felsenweg 3b trail. It begins near the sports field in Werda, runs alongside the reservoir and dam through the Geigenbach Valley, and continues through Vogtland landscapes featuring rock formations and sweeping views. The route thus combines water engineering, the valley and striking scenery. For cyclists, the wider Vogtland region also offers the Oelsnitz–Falkenstein route: it follows a former railway line, connects the Göltzschtal Cycle Route with the Elstertal Cycle Route, and has few changes in elevation.

Winter Days on the Slope and Cross-Country Trails

In winter, the ski lift offers another way to enjoy Werda outdoors. It serves a slope approximately 400 metres long, particularly suitable for families with children and beginners. A ski hut at the top station offers a place to warm up and enjoy refreshments. In winter, about 10 kilometres of cross-country ski trails are available alongside the ski lift. The approximate slope length and the similarly approximate trail distance help give an idea of the scale of these facilities; they are available for use during the winter season.

A Distinctive Cultural Highlight in Chemnitz

The wider destination of Chemnitz offers a different focus. Since 1954, the Chemnitz Park Railway has run as a 600-millimetre narrow-gauge railway on a 2.3-kilometre circular route through Küchwald Park. The Küchwaldbühne open-air stage, designed as an amphitheatre, is also located in the forest, where the Küchwaldbühne e.V. stages its own children's theatre productions each season. The Chemnitz Botanical Garden covers 12 hectares and brings together the Botanical Garden, the School Biology Centre and the Nature Conservation Centre. Werda's nature and trail offerings can thus be compared with a distinct cultural and nature offering in Chemnitz.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Accommodation Search

If you are looking for accommodation for a stay in Werda, your preferred travel rhythm can help guide your choice: forest trails and regional cycling tours offer ideas for active days, while the ski lift and cross-country trails provide a winter focus. The slope's explicitly stated suitability for families with children and beginners is a useful point of reference. Those also interested in cultural and nature attractions will find a different focus in the wider destination of Chemnitz.

You can also discover another destination: Kottengrün.

Discover more destinations: Chemnitz, Mittelbach.

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