Discover Meerane: Natural beauty, Höhler tunnels and local history

A hilly landscape, guided tours of the Höhler tunnels and a road with a striking gradient give Meerane a varied character. There is also church and town history, museums, a gallery and public art.

Circular trails and nature in the Meerane countryside

Fields, meadows and forests spread across a hilly landscape that offers appealing sights for hikers and cyclists. Around 25 kilometres of walking trails are divided among three signposted circular routes of varying lengths. One specific option is Circular Route 1: it is 9.2 kilometres long, connects Meerane, Ponitz and Waldsachsen, and on the return leg follows the B 93 to Wilhelm-Wunderlich-Park. As route descriptions may be revised, check the local signposting before setting out.

The Gornzigtal nature trail offers a distinctive natural experience. It passes through a natural valley with a beech forest that is 100 to 150 years old. Rare plants, native animals and 82 recorded bird species are also among the area's special features. You can therefore plan your visit around either a signposted circular route or the valley's natural environment, without needing to combine the two into a single outing.

Explore beneath the Burgberg and discover the Steile Wand

A guided tour of the Meerane Höhler tunnels takes you through a network of historic underground passageways beneath the Burgberg. The section explored on the tours extends for 350 metres and reaches up to eight metres underground. A tour lasts about 60 minutes; the passageways can only be explored with a guide. This gives the activity a clearly defined time frame.

The Steile Wand offers a very different experience: the road is 248 metres long and has an average gradient of 13 percent. It is known for international cycling races and also serves as a stage finish for vintage car events. The Höhler tunnels are all about guided exploration and its approximate duration, while the Steile Wand is defined by its dimensions, gradient and event tradition.

Church, museums and art

St. Martin's Church stands on Meerane's Burgberg and was first mentioned in 1314. The Italian Steps lead directly from Teichplatz to the church. The square itself is used for concerts, markets and festivals. As the events programme varies, check the dates in advance if you would like to plan your visit around one of them.

The local history museum in the Old Town Hall focuses on the town's history and its textile industry heritage. The museum also includes an original, preserved prison cell in the Fronfeste annex. Another historical landmark can be seen at Museum Meerane: a silver denarius from the 12th century, associated with the town's first mention in 1174. Thus, two different dates are relevant: 1174 refers to Meerane's first mention, while 1314 is the church's first recorded mention.

Art is also part of Meerane's cultural offering. The ART IN gallery is housed in the Kunsthaus. The Meerane Sculpture Park showcases public art on the site of a former industrial wasteland. Together with the museums and church, these offer a cultural selection alongside the walking routes and nature experiences.

Plan your journey and accommodation search

Meerane's main road connections are the B 93 and A 4. Check road conditions and possible detours before travelling. This helps you choose a destination that matches the experiences you actually want to plan.

Discover more destinations

Gersdorf, Oberlungwitz, Mülsen, Crinitzberg, Waldenburg, Crimmitschau, Zwickau, Glauchau

For the regional travel overview: Zwickauer Land.