Hirschfeld: Circular Hike and Way of St. James

There are two different ways to explore Hirschfeld on foot: the Hirschfeld Circular Hike loops through the surrounding area, while the Vogtland section of the Way of St. James runs through the town from Zwickau to Hof. Hirschfeld Wildlife Park is another specific point of reference: the circular hike starts and ends in the wildlife park/minigolf area. This lets you decide whether to build your stay around a single circular hike, a long-distance route, or other destinations in Zwickau district.

The Hirschfeld Circular Hike: Forests, Meadows, and Views

The Hirschfeld Circular Hike is classified as an easy, 17.66-kilometer circular route. It starts and ends in the wildlife park/minigolf area and passes through forests and meadows to Lochmühle. It then follows a stream to Rinnelsbrunnen. A viewpoint toward the Ore Mountains, information boards about nature, and benches along the way round out the route.

The distance and difficulty level provide different points of reference for planning: 17.66 kilometers describes the distance, while “easy” is the route’s classification. Check trail markers and conditions on site. Signage, trail conditions, and facilities may change over time; information boards and benches may also be replaced.

Circular Hike or Pilgrimage Route?

The Vogtland section of the Way of St. James runs through Hirschfeld from Zwickau to Hof and continues via Kirchberg toward the Ore Mountains. The local section is characterized as a historic salt and long-distance route. Its layout therefore differs from the Hirschfeld Circular Hike: the circular hike returns to its starting point, while the Way of St. James is part of a longer route between named towns.

If you want to include a single loop in your plans, the circular hike offers a clearly defined route. The Vogtland section, by contrast, provides a long-distance hiking direction. For both routes, check current trail markers and conditions before setting out, as maintenance and signage may change.

Hirschfeld Wildlife Park as Another Point of Reference

Hirschfeld Wildlife Park was founded in 1956 and covers an area of 23 hectares. A municipal description from 2023 lists around 600 animals from more than 100 species; these population figures may change. There is a playground at the wildlife park. A minigolf course is right next door and operates seasonally.

Since the circular hike starts and ends in the wildlife park/minigolf area, you can take this location into account when planning your hike. If you also plan to play minigolf, bear in mind that it operates seasonally. This means your travel plans can include not only the route itself, but also a specific starting and ending point and other named attractions.

Other Landscapes and Trails in Zwickau District

Zwickau district lies between the valley of the Zwickauer Mulde and the foothills of the Ore Mountains. It has an extensive, well-developed network of marked hiking trails with plenty of resting places and places to eat; around 700 kilometers can be explored on foot. The “Mulden- und Chemnitztal” (Mulde and Chemnitz Valleys) protected landscape area primarily covers the course of the Zwickauer Mulde between Zwickau and Wolkenburg and spans approximately 4,348 hectares.

Another regional point of comparison is in the city of Zwickau: the section of the Muldendamm there is part of the 268-kilometer long-distance Mulde Cycle Route. The cycling and hiking trail invites visitors to walk, cycle, jog, hike, and relax. Unlike the Hirschfeld Circular Hike, which is classified as easy, it accommodates several types of activity; this lets you choose between a specific circular route and a trail with a broader range of activities.

Cultural Attractions to Complement Your Hiking Plans

Culture offers other themes to explore when planning a trip to Zwickau district. The August Horch Museum is located at the historic birthplace of Audi and, across 6,500 square meters of exhibition space, presents more than 120 years of Zwickau’s automobile manufacturing history. It offers guided tours in English, including tours led in person; an audio guide is also available.

The German Agricultural Museum at Blankenhain Castle in Zwickau district is a unique museum complex in Germany. It covers 13 hectares and includes 80 buildings and 100 themed exhibitions. The museums, the Muldendamm, and the hiking trails in the district offer different focuses that you can include in your travel plans according to your interests.

If you are mainly planning to visit Zwickau or Blankenhain Castle, also take these locations into account when choosing where to stay.

Discover more destinations: Crinitzberg, Wildenfels, Glauchau, Zwickau, Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Niederfrohna, Neukirchen/Pleiße, Meerane

For the higher-level travel overview: Zwickauer Land.