Oberlausitzer Bergweg (Upper Lusatian Mountain Trail)
Hiking Pleasure in the Border Triangle 🌄🌿
The Oberlausitzer Bergweg is a true hidden gem for anyone who loves unspoiled nature, quiet hiking trails, and diverse landscapes 🌿🥾. From Neukirch to Zittau, your hiking journey takes you through the charming Upper Lusatian Highlands and into the small but surprisingly versatile Zittau Mountains. Rolling hills, forested heights, and dreamy valleys alternate, offering fresh impressions every single day.
Before long, the trail leads up to the Valtenberg, which stands at 587 meters as the highest elevation in the Upper Lusatian Highlands ⛰️. From the heights, magnificent views open up across the vast landscape time and again. In between, you will hike along peaceful forest paths, through small villages, and past the region's characteristic "Umgebindehäuser" (traditional half-timbered houses) 🏡. This unique architectural style shapes many villages in Upper Lusatia and gives the hike its very own cultural character.
The closer you get to the Zittau Mountains, the more the landscape transforms. Bizarre sandstone cliffs and unusual rock formations emerge from among the dense forests 🌲🪨. Historic border paths serve as a reminder that three countries meet right here. Again and again, your gaze wanders across the borders into the Czech Republic and Poland, creating a wonderful sense of vastness 🌄.
It is precisely this mix that makes this hike so appealing. Peaceful nature experiences meet small cultural discoveries, traditional villages, and cozy places to stop for a bite to eat. Away from the large and famous hiking regions, there is plenty of room to enjoy the landscape in complete tranquility and to simply pause along the way 💚.
After diverse days of hiking, you finally reach Zittau, where historic townhouses and the unique atmosphere of the old trading city provide a beautiful conclusion to your journey 🏘️✨. Behind you lie days filled with forests, mountains, rocks, and surprising vistas.
The Oberlausitzer Bergweg from Neukirch to Zittau is a hiking journey for explorers. A trail that doesn't rely on big names, but instead delights with unspoiled nature, regional charm, and quiet moments. A true hidden gem that shows just how beautiful hiking off the beaten path can be 🌿🥾.
Day 1
Arrival in Sohland
You can easily reach Sohland an der Spree by train or car – nestled in the rolling hills of Upper Lusatia with its traditional half-timbered houses.
Overnight stay in Sohland
Day 2
Neukirch – Sohland
A short ride on the Trilex (regional train) takes you to Neukirch (train fare to be paid individually on-site). The tour begins with the ascent to the Valtenberg – standing at 587 meters as the highest mountain in the Lusatian Highlands. For most of the day, you will be hiking along the German-Czech border. Many beautifully designed rest areas and hiking huts invite you to take a break. The tour ends either above Sohland at the Prinz-Friedrich-August-Baude or a few kilometers further into the village.
Overnight stay in Sohland
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Optional
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Day 3
Sohland – Bieleboh/Schönbach
Passing the Sohland reservoir, the trail leads you to the Kälbersteine (487m). These striking granite rocks are a popular hiking destination and can also be climbed. They offer a beautiful view towards Bautzen. Continuing over the Pickaer Berg and past the Erntekranzbaude, the mountain trail leads you up the Bieleboh. This is either your stop for the night or at least a great place for a hearty break at the mountain inn. You will stay overnight directly on the Bieleboh or, alternatively, in the small village of Schönbach located further down.
Overnight stay in Bieleboh/Schönbach
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Optional
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Day 4
Bieleboh/Schönbach – Eibau
The day begins with lush forests as you first hike to Neusalza-Spremberg, famous for its historic "Reiterhaus". Continuing over the Kuhberg and Fuchslöcherberg, the trail leads to the Kottmar, where you can visit a ski jump as well as one of the three sources of the River Spree. Finally, you descend into the village of Eibau, well-known for its traditional Eibauer dark beer. A visit to the Faktorenhof, which features a local history museum and a restaurant, is highly recommended.
Overnight stay in Eibau
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Day 5
Eibau – Waltersdorf
Today, you transition from the Upper Lusatian Highlands into the Zittau Mountains. Along the way, the Großer Stein – a basalt cone of volcanic origin – offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the day. You can take a break in Spitzkunnersdorf, another village filled with typical Upper Lusatian "Umgebindehäuser" (traditional half-timbered houses). The Großschönauer Hutberg provides a great view of the former center of damask and linen weaving. You will continue a bit further along the mountain trail before branching off at Waltersdorf to reach your overnight hotel.
Overnight stay in Waltersdorf
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Day 6
Waltersdorf – Oybin
The two highest mountains in the Zittau Mountains await your visit today: The day begins with the ascent to the Lausche. The observation tower opens up a magnificent view across the Zittau Mountains all the way to the Bohemian Basin and, on a clear day, even as far as the Giant Mountains (Riesengebirge). The trail continues to the impressive Nonnenfelsen and runs above the spa town of Jonsdorf towards Hain and the Hochwald. This mountain inn is the perfect place to stop for a well-deserved break. The descent is steep in some sections. Before long, the striking table mountain of Oybin rises ahead. If you wish, you can explore the grounds of the Oybin Castle and Monastery (entrance fee applies) – a magical place rich in history, surrounded by vertical rock faces and a mystical forest.
Overnight stay in Oybin
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Day 7
Oybin – Töpfer - Zittau
To conclude your mountain trail journey, you will walk to the Oybin Teufelsmühle train stop and from there up to the 582-meter-high Töpfer mountain – an ideal spot for a break with a view. Continuing through Hartau and along the River Neisse, you will finally reach Zittau's old town. Wind down your beautiful hiking trip with a stroll through the historic town center, a visit to one of the rustic taverns, or a performance at the famous Gerhart-Hauptmann-Theater.
Overnight stay in Zittau
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Day 8
Departure or extension
Requirements for hikers
The Oberlausitzer Bergweg is classified as a moderate-level hike. The trails lead along forest and field paths, narrow tracks, and occasionally rocky or root-covered mountain paths. Some stages exceed 20 kilometers with hiking times of up to 7 hours; additionally, there are repeated longer ascents and descents to manage. A good level of basic fitness and surefootedness are therefore required. Especially in the Zittau Mountains, there are steeper sections, such as the descent from the Hochwald. However, technically challenging or high-alpine passages are not to be expected.
Summary
- Total approx. 120 km over 6 hiking days
- 7 nights
- Breakfast
- One dinner
- Luggage transfer
- Travel documents and GPS data
- Service hotline
- from 749,- € per person
Facts about the Oberlausitzer Bergweg
- The Oberlausitzer Bergweg is an approximately 120-kilometer-long certified quality hiking trail located in Saxony
- It leads through the Upper Lusatian Highlands and the Zittau Mountains, right up to the border triangle of Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic
- The region is particularly famous for its traditional Umgebindehäuser (unique regional houses), which combine elements of log cabin, half-timbered, and solid masonry construction
- The Valtenberg, standing at 587 meters, is the highest elevation in the Upper Lusatian Highlands
- The Lausche, at 793 meters, is the highest mountain in the Zittau Mountains and simultaneously the highest point along this hiking trip
- The tour connects two distinct low mountain range landscapes: the Upper Lusatian Highlands and the Zittau Mountains
- Characteristic features of the Zittau Mountains include sandstone cliffs, volcanically formed mountains, extensive forests, and bizarre rock formations
- Cultural highlights along the trail include the centuries-old tradition of linen and damask weaving, as well as historic Faktorenhäuser (merchant manors)
- From the Zittau Mountains, panoramic vistas open up across the border into the Czech Republic and Poland, and on a clear day, sometimes as far as the Giant Mountains (Riesengebirge)
Climate in Upper Lusatia and the Zittau Mountains
Upper Lusatia has a temperate Central European climate, which is noticeably cooler and wetter in the higher elevations of the Upper Lusatian Highlands and the Zittau Mountains. Summers are usually pleasantly mild to warm, with temperatures in the uplands frequently ranging between 15 and 22 °C. The valleys can get significantly warmer on sunny summer days. Especially in spring and autumn, temperatures can fluctuate quite heavily between the morning and afternoon. The best time for hiking is between April and October, with the months of May to September usually offering the most pleasant conditions.
Culinary Delights in Upper Lusatia
The Upper Lusatian cuisine is characterized by hearty Saxon and Bohemian home cooking. Regional specialties include, for example, Upper Lusatian potato soup, Teichelmauke (mashed potatoes with broth and beef), Stupperle (regional potato dumplings), and Quarkkeulchen (sweet potato-and-curd pancakes). Traditionally, potatoes, quark, linseed oil, and regional meat dishes play an important role. A true specialty along the mountain trail is the Eibauer Schwarzbier (dark beer), which looks back on a long brewing tradition – your tour also leads through Eibau and explicitly highlights this specialty. In addition, the mountain inns and traditional guesthouses serve hearty platters (Brotzeit), soups, and regional dishes.