Schönheide: Brushmaking, Museum Railway and Herb Trail

Schönheide is set amid woodland in the Westerzgebirge, right on the border with the Vogtland region. Brushmaking, local history, hiking trails and a historic narrow-gauge railway give this destination a variety of attractions: you can explore exhibitions and buildings, discover the landscape on foot, or plan a trip on the museum railway.

Brushmaking and Schönheide’s history

The Schönheide Brushmaking and Local History Museum displays machines, tools and raw materials used to make brushes and paintbrushes. Historical brushes, brooms and paintbrushes complement the exhibition; documents trace the development of the trade since around 1825. The upper floor features objects and documents relating to local history, including a guild charter, a journeymen’s banner and a Schönheide Christmas pyramid dating from around 1830. Here, insights into a craft are paired with traces of local life.

Brushmaking is also a defining regional theme: the Westerzgebirge communities of Steinberg, Stützengrün and Schönheide are described as having the highest concentration of brushmaking workshops in Germany. The Martin Luther Church tells a different, much older story. The present-day church was put into use in 1773, after the first church, consecrated in 1596, collapsed during a service in 1764. Its tower, carried over from the first church building, is 43.5 metres high and houses four bells.

Hiking trails with different themes

Along the “Around Kuhberg” herb trail, information panels explain more than 200 native herbs, trees and shrubs, as well as their uses. Guided activities may include making herb seasonings, ointments and tinctures, baking herb bread or cooking with wild herbs. These activities may vary depending on the season and provider. Before setting out, also check the condition of the trail.

The “Historic Skis” circular hiking trail is about four kilometres long. Information panels focus on former ski manufacturers; along the way, you can enjoy views towards the Erzgebirge ridge, the Eibenstock Reservoir and Schönheide with its surrounding mountains. The route and conditions may change, so it is worth checking before your hike. Its themed stops make this circular trail a different kind of outing from the herb trail, with its plants and their uses.

Another point of reference for hikers is the Vogtland Panorama Trail, which passes the Forstmeister Hotel before reaching the first houses in Schönheide. Check the trail markers and conditions in advance.

Museum railway and open-air stage

The historic Schönheide Museum Railway runs along a route just under five kilometres long between Schönheide and Stützengrün. The journey passes through the Vogtland countryside and covers considerable changes in elevation. Its technical highlights include a steam locomotive built in 1892, described as the oldest surviving steam locomotive. Operating days vary by season, so check the current service dates before planning your trip.

The Fuchsstein grounds have an open-air stage and are used for local recreation; cultural events may also take place there. If a particular event is important to your stay, check the programme for your travel dates.

The wider picture: Erzgebirgskreis

In the wider destination of Erzgebirgskreis, the signposted hiking trail network covers about 4,500 kilometres. This offers a broader regional hiking context alongside the trails described in Schönheide. The Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2019. Seiffen is considered the cradle of Erzgebirge folk art. The Seiffen Open-Air Museum of Erzgebirge Folk Art presents historic buildings and workshops from the 19th and early 20th centuries; its centrepiece is the preserved original Preißler’s turning workshop, powered by water, in the spa town of Seiffen.

Another regional hiking option is the Schwarzenberg Panorama Trail, a circular route along the heights around Schwarzenberg. It is 13.8 kilometres long and takes about four hours and five minutes. Panorama trails around Schneeberg, Schwarzenberg and Zwönitz offer views of the historic town centres. These options are part of the wider Erzgebirgskreis area and complement Schönheide’s specific themes with further regional perspectives on culture and landscape.

When planning your trip, you can weigh up Schönheide’s local history, themed trails and the museum railway, which runs seasonally. If guided herb activities or train rides are essential to your plans, check their respective dates for your stay.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Drebach, Ehrenfriedersdorf, Aue, Schneeberg, Pockau, Zschopau, Pobershau, Gehringswalde.

Back to the main travel overview: Erzgebirgskreis.