Discover Hohenstein-Ernstthal

The Karl May hiking trail leads through Hohenstein-Ernstthal, linking historic sites associated with Karl May with scenic sections and information boards. It offers different ways to explore the town: through its literary history, technical insights or time spent in the countryside. Which of these aspects you focus on can also shape your stay.

Karl May and stories from different eras

The Karl May House is Karl May’s birthplace and a museum. Alongside the permanent exhibition, regular talks and special exhibitions add to the programme. Guided city tours take visitors to selected sites associated with Karl May in Hohenstein-Ernstthal. This lets you combine what you learn at the museum with places that are part of the local history of Karl May.

The Karl May Cave is a special chapter: the former mine tunnel dates back to 1620 and is interpreted both as a testament to mining history and as a place associated with Karl May. It can be reached from the Karl May House via the Karl May hiking trail. Here, two stories come together: historic mining and the connection to Karl May.

St. Christophori also offers a glimpse into different periods of architecture and art. The Baroque church was built in 1756/57 on the site of an older building; its west tower had already been rebuilt in 1731. Its surviving features include an organ case from the mid-18th century and a marble baptismal font created by Michael Hegewald in 1610. The different dates make the building’s history particularly vivid.

Textile technology and motor racing

The Textile and Motor Racing Museum brings together craftsmanship and motorsport history. Its historic demonstration workshop has working Jacquard looms, and its collections include woven pictures and tapestries. Visitors can also watch stockings being made and see how knitting works on running machines. This brings textile production to life not only through finished pieces, but also through the machines and how they operate.

The Sachsenring exhibition takes a different approach, featuring original road racing motorcycles, racing gear and an extensive model collection. The new Sachsenring adds technical details to this perspective: the site covers 40 hectares, the ideal racing line is about 3,704 metres long and has 14 turns. The museum exhibits and circuit measurements offer two different ways to explore motor racing: through its history and through the layout of the track.

Panoramas, woodland and hiking

The 480-metre-high Pfaffenberg offers panoramic views across the Ore Mountains. On a clear day, you can also see the Fichtelberg on the horizon. This gives the landscape a far-reaching viewpoint, while the Pfaffenberg recreation area lies within the Rabensteiner Wald / Pfaffenberg protected landscape area. It includes a protected park and a dendrological nature trail focusing on woody plants and trees.

For a longer outing, the Karl May hiking trail offers a clear indication of the time and effort involved: the moderately difficult route is 11.5 kilometres long and takes about three and a half hours. It also involves 219 metres of ascent and 221 metres of descent. When planning a hike, you can consider these details alongside the cultural and technical attractions as a focus for your stay.

The wider area: Zwickau district

The Zwickau Mulde valley and the foothills of the Ore Mountains meet in the wider travel destination of Zwickau district. The district has an extensive network of marked hiking trails with rest areas and places to stop for refreshments; around 700 kilometres can be explored on foot. This regional overview complements Hohenstein-Ernstthal’s specific attractions, but looks at the district as a whole.

The region of Southwest Saxony around Hohenstein-Ernstthal and Oberlungwitz is also known for its mining, textile, automotive and motorsport traditions. Its first motorcycle race took place on 26 May 1927. When choosing accommodation for your stay, first consider which of these aspects interests you most: Karl May history, textile technology and motorsport, or the landscape and hiking. This can help you tailor your search to your travel plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Kirchberg, Meerane, Lichtentanne, Neukirchen/Pleiße, Remse, Oberlungwitz, Zwickau, Reinsdorf.

Back to the broader travel overview: Zwickauer Land.