Borstendorf: Chess Tradition and Hiking Trails

Large chess pieces along the trail, a long history of chessboard production and a variety of hiking options give Borstendorf its own distinctive character. Here, outdoor activity and cultural interests go hand in hand: the Chess Hiking Trail passes information boards about local production, while the village church, Göthel organ and outdoor Christmas display reveal other sides of the town. For planning, it is worth taking a closer look at the different trail lengths and events throughout the year.

Chess history along the circular trail

The Chess Hiking Trail explores the history of chessboard production, with 16 oversized chess pieces and information boards along the circular route. It is signposted throughout and is about 15 km long; shorter options are available. The paths are wide and well surfaced. Rest areas provide opportunities for picnics, and you can also stop for a meal at “Oehmes Gaststätte,” which has a beer garden. The trail combines a hike with insights into a craft that has shaped Borstendorf.

Hiking trails with different route features

The Bambini Hiking Trail is a 4.5 km circular route that runs mainly along surfaced paths and is suitable for pushchairs. It features interactive activity stations and a quiz. The trail is also linked to a woodland maze covering about 1,000 m² and measuring around 1.1 km in length. These details help you understand the different parts of the excursion: the circular route, activity stations and maze each offer a different experience along the way.

The Chess Hiking Trail and the Bambini Hiking Trail differ significantly in their stated lengths: about 15 km compared with 4.5 km; shorter options are also available for the Chess Hiking Trail. Another suggested route is “View of Borstendorf from the Höhenweg.” The route starts and ends at Borstendorf Church and offers panoramic views of Borstendorf, the Ore Mountains and Augustusburg. This gives you a choice of a trail exploring chess history and routes with different distances and viewpoints.

Chess production and local history

With five chessboard factories, Borstendorf was a major global center for the production of draughts and chessboards. At the height of its production, the K. P. Uhlig draughts and chessboard factory made 7,000 chess sets per month. This scale gives the history explored along the Chess Hiking Trail a concrete economic context. The old village road also served as a transport route: among other things, large quantities of charcoal produced in Borstendorf were carried along it to the smelting works in Freiberg.

Borstendorf village church was built in 1820 and is listed as a protected monument for its architectural and local historical significance. Borstendorf is also home to the Göthel organ, built by Christian Friedrich Göthel (1804–1873). Together with the history of chessboard production, these landmarks offer a window into different chapters of local history, from local crafts and their transport routes to the town’s architectural and musical heritage.

Events throughout the year

The Borstendorf outdoor Christmas display presents the Christmas story as an outdoor installation with light and sound. Events are also held at the open-air swimming pool throughout the year. These include “Wanderkino” during the summer season and “Abbaden” as part of the “Living Advent Calendar” during Advent. If you would like to include one of these events in your travel plans, it is best to check the exact dates in advance.

When looking for accommodation in Borstendorf, you could start by considering which experiences you would like to shape your stay: the longer Chess Hiking Trail, the pushchair-accessible Bambini Hiking Trail, or local history connected with chess production and the village church.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Marienberg, Gelenau, Aue, Neukirchen/Erzgebirge, Jahnsdorf/Erzgebirge, Zschopau, Königswalde, Grunhainichen.

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