Discover Burkau: Hiking and History

Burkau offers opportunities for hiking and historical discovery. The marked Burkau Circular Trail loops around the town and runs along low-traffic side roads, forest and meadow paths, as well as a section of the former railway embankment on the Bischofswerda–Kamenz line. The route description published by the Bautzen district on 20 May 2025 gives a distance of 13.4 kilometres and a duration of about 3.5 hours; it rates the loop as challenging. The distance, duration and rating give you a clear basis for planning your day.

Hiking with different focuses

The Taucherwald Forest Circular Trail has a different focus: described as a walk through the heritage of the Cold War, it passes through the former Soviet missile base known as Operations Base Bischofswerda. It was in operation from 1981 to 1984. Along the route are abandoned bunkers and other surviving structures. Other points on the circular trail include the Birkenberg viewpoint, the Kreuzstein stone cross and the Taucherwald hut. The hiking options described here therefore differ in character: the Burkau Circular Trail focuses on distance, duration and its challenging rating, while the Taucherwald Forest Circular Trail focuses on the history of the former base and its structures.

History of St. Mary’s Church

St. Mary’s Church also offers specific ways to explore the town’s history. Burkau was first mentioned in writing in 1312; a church at the site is documented in 1495. Historical features of St. Mary’s Church include a wooden altarpiece from 1677, a Staupitz epitaph in the west porch and a later pulpit dating from 1898. The different dates point to several layers of history, from the medieval written records of the town and church to later furnishings.

Getting here and choosing your travel focus

Burkau has direct motorway access via two exits on the Dresden–Görlitz A4 corridor: Burkau and Uhyst am Taucher. As temporary closures or roadworks may occur, it is worth checking traffic conditions on the day of your journey.

Cycle routes and culture in Bautzen district

In the wider destination of Bautzen district, the Bautzen North Tour is a 43.1-kilometre cycling loop. It runs from Bautzen via Quatitz, Großdubrau, Milkel, Klix and Malschwitz, and back to Bautzen. Along the way, it passes through the heath and pond landscape and along the nature trail in Crosta. The Hill and Valley Route is another regional circular tour through the West Lusatian Hills in Bautzen district. The Krabat Cycle Route is also a regional circular tour through the district, following in the footsteps of the Sorbian legendary hero Krabat.

For longer distances, Bautzen district offers routes on a different scale: the Central Germany Route is a long-distance cycle route from Zittau to Aachen; one section passes through the Upper Lusatian Highlands in Bautzen district. The Spree Cycle Route runs from its source in Upper Lusatia to Berlin. The section between Taubenheim and Zerre lies in Bautzen district. The routes can therefore be distinguished by their character: a described circular tour with a specific distance and route, regional circular routes, and long-distance cycle routes with endpoints far apart. Upper Lusatian carnival is also part of the cultural landscape of Bautzen district; its strongholds are in the towns of Schirgiswalde and Wittichenau.

Discover more destinations: Malschwitz, Elsterheide, Schwepnitz, Haselbachtal, Bautzen, Doberschau-Gaußig, Laußnitz, Pulsnitz.

For the overview of the wider destination: Bautzen district.