Borstendorf: Chess Trails and Craft History

Discover Borstendorf along trails that showcase different aspects of the town: the history of chessboard manufacturing, a forest maze, and panoramic views. Trail lengths, terrain, and notable stops provide practical details to help you plan. You can decide whether you prefer a longer route focused on craft history, a shorter trail with a quiz and hands-on stations, or a route with scenic views.

Hiking with Chess History or Panoramic Views

The chess hiking trail is a fully signposted loop of about 15 km; shorter alternatives are possible. The paths are wide and well surfaced. Along the route, 16 oversized chess pieces and information boards tell the story of chessboard production in Borstendorf. Rest areas provide opportunities for picnics. The route also offers the option of stopping at “Oehme’s Restaurant” with its beer garden.

Another hiking option is the “View of Borstendorf from the Höhenweg” route. It starts and ends at Borstendorf Church and offers panoramic views of Borstendorf, the Ore Mountains, and Augustusburg. The two routes therefore differ in theme, too: along the chess hiking trail, pieces and information boards tell the story of manufacturing; on the Höhenweg, the focus is on the scenic viewpoints mentioned.

Forest Maze and Hands-on Stations

The Bambini hiking trail is a 4.5 km loop, making it significantly shorter than the approximately 15 km chess hiking trail. It runs mostly on paved paths and is accessible with a stroller. Hands-on stations and a quiz add to the route. The trail also includes a forest maze about 1.1 km long and around 1,000 m² in area. These two figures refer to different things: the length of the maze and its area.

When comparing the routes, the information on length and terrain provides a practical guide. The Bambini hiking trail also features hands-on stations, a quiz, and the maze, while the chess hiking trail is characterized by its pieces and information boards. This way, you can choose the route and themes that suit your planned outing.

Chessboard Manufacturing and Local History

Historically, Borstendorf was an important center for the production of draughts and chessboards: there were five chessboard factories in the town, and Borstendorf was a leading global center for this production. At the height of its success, the K. P. Uhlig draughts and chessboard factory produced 7,000 chess sets per month. This figure gives a sense of the scale of manufacturing at the time and provides a concrete economic backdrop to the history told along the chess hiking trail.

The old village road also served an economic purpose. Among other things, it was used to transport the large quantities of charcoal produced in Borstendorf to the smelting works in Freiberg. The town’s history thus adds another dimension to the story of chessboard production: transporting a locally produced raw material to the smelting works.

Church, Organ, and Christmas Mountain

Borstendorf village church was built in 1820 and is designated as a listed monument of architectural and local historical significance. The Göthel organ in Borstendorf was built by organ builder Christian Friedrich Göthel (1804–1873). The church and organ thus represent two different aspects of local history: the village’s architectural history and the work of a named organ builder.

Another cultural attraction is the Borstendorf open-air Christmas Mountain. The installation presents the Christmas story outdoors with light and sound. It adds a seasonal Christmas theme to the range of places to visit in Borstendorf, while the hiking trails focus on crafts, forest, and views.

Events at the Outdoor Pool

Events are held at the Borstendorf outdoor pool throughout the year. These include the “Wanderkino” traveling cinema during the summer season and “Abbaden” as part of the “Living Advent Calendar” during Advent. If you would like to combine your visit with one of these events, check the specific dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Grünhain-Beierfeld, Ehrenfriedersdorf, Wiesa, Lengefeld, Wolkenstein, Niederwürschnitz, Johanngeorgenstadt, Deutschneudorf.

For the overview of the wider region: Erzgebirgskreis.