Neukirch/Lausitz: Valtenberg, Crafts and Culture

Neukirch/Lausitz combines the distinctive natural attraction of Valtenberg with insights into local crafts and culture. Summit trails, a legends trail, linen production and events at the manor offer a variety of ways to spend your time. You can decide whether to focus on the landscape, stories and puzzles, or cultural discoveries.

Valtenberg and trails through the landscape

At 586.6 metres above sea level, Valtenberg is the highest elevation in the Lusatian Highlands. At the summit are a mountain inn and the König-Johann Tower, a lookout tower. Numerous hiking trails lead to the summit; the area around Neukirch, encompassing Valtenberg and Hohwald, also has a dense network of marked hiking trails. This provides both a specific summit destination and a wider network of trails to explore.

The legends trail to Valtenberg, which begins at Waldschlösschen, tells a story of its own. Seven puzzles based on local legends accompany the route, and each story board has a QR code. If you enjoy stories, you can combine puzzles and hiking. The trail offers a different focus from viewing Valtenberg as the highest elevation: here, the legends set the theme.

Winter activities and choosing where to stay

In winter, rental sleds are available at Valtenberg and the cross-country ski trails are groomed. Sledding and cross-country skiing add seasonal activities to the hiking options. If you are planning a winter visit, check the current availability of rental sleds and the grooming status of the trails in advance.

Neukirch/Lausitz has connections to public transport and the motorway, making it easy to reach. When looking for accommodation in Neukirch/Lausitz, you can take your planned focus into account: hiking draws attention to Valtenberg and the trail network, while the manor, weaving mills and pottery workshops showcase other sides of the town. This way, you can start your search with the experiences you would like to include in your stay.

The manor, local history and crafts

Recurring events are held at the manor, including Christmas and autumn markets, knight games and a small-animal show. If a particular market or event is key to your trip, check the latest dates. The Tourist Information Centre and library at the manor are also accessible by lift. In 2023, the nave of Neukirch Church was 300 years old, the tower 270 years old and the organ 150 years old.

Linen crafts are another part of Neukirch/Lausitz’s cultural offer. Hoffmann Linen Weaving Mill weaves and finishes high-quality linen textiles for the home-textiles sector. The von Kleist Linen Manufactory is a custom linen and design workshop that offers linen-weaving tours. These provide two different ways to explore the subject: textile production and home textiles on the one hand, and weaving tours on the other.

Three pottery workshops are associated with the years 1834, 1824 and 1866. Together with the linen businesses, they broaden the picture of local crafts without making the stay all about hiking. If you want to combine nature and culture, you can consider both as you plan and choose the activities that interest you.

Cycling routes in the wider Bautzen district destination

The wider Bautzen district destination offers cycling routes with different itineraries and themes. The Bautzen North Tour is 43.1 kilometres long and runs from Bautzen via Quatitz, Großdubrau, Milkel, Klix and Malschwitz, returning to Bautzen. Its route passes through the heath and pond landscape and along the nature trail in Crosta. The Hills and Valleys Route is a regional circular tour through the West Lusatian Hills in Bautzen district; the Krabat Cycle Route is a regional circular tour following in the footsteps of Krabat, the hero of Sorbian legend.

Long-distance cycling routes are also part of this regional overview. The Central Germany Route runs from Zittau to Aachen, with a section through the Upper Lusatian Highlands in Bautzen district. The Spree Cycle Route runs from its source in Upper Lusatia to Berlin; the section in Bautzen district runs from Taubenheim to Zerre. The options described range from a circular tour with a specified distance to longer long-distance cycling routes. The information relates to the wider Bautzen district destination.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Spreetal, Panschwitz-Kuckau, Löbau, Großdubrau, Steina, Steinigtwolmsdorf, Lichtenberg and Schmölln-Putzkau.

Back to the wider travel overview: Bautzen district.