Geyer: Mining History, Nature and Culture

In Geyer, mining history and the town’s past meet striking landscapes and a range of leisure activities. If you are looking for a hotel in Geyer, you can plan your stay around the subjects that interest you most: historical collections, hikes, winter sports or activities around the Greifensteine rock formations and the Greifenbach reservoir.

Mining History and Collections

The Geyer Tower Museum is housed in a 42-metre-high medieval defensive and watchtower. Over more than seven floors, you can explore mining and local history, local minerals and a working model of Geyersberg. Other exhibits and sections include an 18th-century passementerie room, historic bells, a pewter collection and a local history room.

The Binge also tells the story of the town’s mining history. The collapse crater is about 200 to 250 metres wide and 50 to 60 metres deep; it was formed by collapses in 1704 and 1803. A nature trail covers the geology as well as rare plants and animals. This brings both the historical use of the area and the geological consequences of mining into focus.

The Lotterhof is a Renaissance landmark built in 1566 by the Elector’s master builder, Hieronymus Lotter. Its exterior can be viewed year-round. In the woodcarving museum, alongside carvings and Christmas pyramids, you can see eleven mechanically animated scenes depicting local life and Christmas traditions. The Entomological Museum displays more than 400 insect species, particularly from rainforest fauna; opening arrangements may change, so check the current visiting options before your visit.

The Geyer locomotive shed houses a steam locomotive, passenger and luggage cars, an entry signal and a water crane from the former narrow-gauge railway. Together with the collections in the Tower Museum, these offer another perspective on local history—this time through vehicles and equipment from the former railway.

Greifensteine and Trails

The Greifensteine, between Geyer and Ehrenfriedersdorf, consist of seven weathered granite rocks. They formed from the remains of an eruptive granite sheet and can be reached from Geyer on foot or by bicycle. For a longer hike, try the Panorama Trail: this scenic circular route is approximately eleven kilometres long.

Another local hike crosses fields and meadows and passes through woodland. Along the ten-kilometre route, there are singing stones at intervals, inscribed with lyrics—mostly by Anton Günther—for people to sing together. The two hiking options therefore differ in their stated lengths and in the distinctive features along the way.

There are also designated winter hiking trails connecting Geyer with the Greifenbach valley and the Greifenbach reservoir. Trail conditions depend on the weather. In addition, 50 kilometres of machine-groomed ski trails run through Geyer Forest. They are mostly easy and suitable for both classic cross-country skiing and skating. Use is seasonal, and snow conditions may vary.

Leisure at the Greifensteine and Reservoir

At the foot of the Greifensteine lies the Greifensteine leisure pool. It offers eight slides, a wave pool, a children’s pool, an outdoor swimming pool, whirlpools, and sauna and wellness areas. The Greifensteine adventure climbing forest adds to the leisure options with eleven climbing courses reaching heights of up to 13 metres. One attraction, called “Flying Stülpner,” takes you over a lake.

At the Greifenbach reservoir, activities include swimming, surfing and sailing, as well as slides and play areas. Other facilities include boat hire, mountain bike and e-bike hire, an adventure playground, mini golf, volleyball and table tennis. As some activities may change, check what is available before your visit. The reservoir is located in the Greifensteine Landscape Conservation Area.

Seasonal Culture and Your Stay

The Greifensteine are also home to an open-air stage used by the Eduard von Winterstein Theatre from June to August. Seasonal performances complement the Lotterhof’s exterior, which can be viewed year-round, and the town’s collections. When planning your stay, you can weigh up history and exhibitions, outdoor trails, and leisure and cultural activities that are available only at certain times.

Discover more destinations: Jahnsdorf/Erzgebirge, Raschau-Markersbach, Bockau, Tannenberg, Thalheim/Erzgebirge, Lugau, Elterlein, Bernsbach.

Go to the regional travel overview: Erzgebirgskreis.