Discover Sehmatal: Trails, Railways and Craftsmanship

Sehmatal is a state-recognised resort with a signposted network of hiking, cycling and ski touring trails. Cranzahl also has two railway connections, while Neudorf is home to a traditional craft. This offers a range of themes, from active trails and narrow-gauge railway journeys to traditional craftsmanship.

Trails and railways as different travel options

The municipality of Sehmatal provides a signposted network of trails for hiking, cycling and ski touring. These are three different ways to spend the day: exploring on foot, cycling or planning a ski tour. When looking for accommodation, this question may help you decide: should your holiday focus mainly on trails and activity, or are train journeys also part of the experience you want? The answer will help you prioritise your interests in Sehmatal.

One specific example of a longer hike is the 18.8-kilometre Bimmelbahn Adventure Trail. The challenging route runs between Cranzahl and the resort of Kurort Oberwiesenthal, mostly parallel to the Fichtelberg Railway. If you want to combine the hike with a train journey, you can plan a return trip on the steam train. This puts two different sections at the centre of your plans: the route on foot and, as a possible addition, the train journey. Check the timetable in advance for this combination.

Cranzahl station also has a prominent place in this choice of travel options: the Erzgebirgsbahn from Chemnitz terminates here, and the narrow-gauge Fichtelberg Railway to the mountain resort begins here. This means the railway is not only a feature of the Bimmelbahn Adventure Trail but also offers a travel option in its own right. If you want to include a train journey, check the current timetable before planning your days around it.

Craftsmanship in Neudorf

In Neudorf, the “Zum Weihrichkarzl” demonstration workshop makes traditional incense cones by hand. This adds a cultural theme, with a tangible product and traditional production, to the trails and railway connections. Those interested in Erzgebirge craftsmanship as well as outdoor activities will find it a distinctive way to explore Sehmatal.

The wider setting: Erzgebirgskreis

The wider travel destination of Erzgebirgskreis has around 4,500 kilometres of signposted hiking trails. This offers a broader regional perspective alongside the trails provided by the municipality of Sehmatal. The cultural offerings of Erzgebirgskreis can also be viewed in a wider context: the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2019, and Seiffen is considered the birthplace of Erzgebirge folk art.

The Seiffen Open-Air Museum of the Ore Mountains features historic buildings and workshops from the 19th and early 20th centuries in the resort of Kurort Seiffen. Its centrepiece is the original, well-preserved Preißler turning mill, powered by water. Alongside the craftsmanship in Neudorf, this provides further cultural and historical themes in the region. The panoramic trails around the mining towns of Schneeberg, Schwarzenberg and Zwönitz offer views of their historic town centres.

The Schwarzenberg Panorama Trail is a specific option for a hike in Erzgebirgskreis: this circular route follows the heights around Schwarzenberg, covers 13.8 kilometres and takes about 4 hours and 5 minutes. The Fichtelberg near Oberwiesenthal is another notable landscape feature. At 1,215 metres, it is the highest mountain in Saxony. These regional examples are quite different from the Bimmelbahn route: here, the circular route, approximate duration and elevation are specified, while the Bimmelbahn route focuses on its challenging length and the option of combining it with the Fichtelberg Railway.

Discover more destinations: Sehma, Neudorf, Cranzahl, Johanngeorgenstadt, Großrückerswalde, Jöhstadt, Raschau-Markersbach, Tannenberg.

For the wider travel overview: Erzgebirgskreis.