Schönheide: Crafts, history and trails

Schönheide is set in a wooded area of the Western Ore Mountains, right on the border with the Vogtland region. Crafts, church history, hiking trails and the historic railway offer different ways to plan a trip. If you are considering Schönheide as a destination for a hotel stay, you can first think about whether exhibitions, architectural history, trails or a railway journey should be your main focus.

Brushmaking and local history

In the Western Ore Mountain communities of Steinberg, Stützengrün and Schönheide, the density of brushmaking workshops is considered the highest in Germany. The Schönheide Brushmaking and Local History Museum displays machines, tools and raw materials used to produce brushes and paintbrushes. It also features historic brushes, brooms and paintbrushes, as well as documents on the development of the trade since around 1825. Those interested in the history of craftsmanship can explore both the manufacturing process and its products.

The upper floor is devoted to local history, with objects and documents including a guild charter, a journeymen’s banner and a Schönheide Christmas pyramid dating from around 1830. These records of local life complement the collection on the history of the trade. The pyramid is one specific example of the historic objects on display there.

Church history in a clear chronology

The history of St. Martin Luther’s Church spans the transition from the first church building to the present one: the first church was consecrated in 1596 and collapsed during a service in 1764. The present St. Martin Luther’s Church came into use in 1773. Its tower, which dates from the first church building, is 43.5 metres high and contains four bells. Its architectural history can therefore be traced through both the dates and the reused structural element.

Trails combining knowledge of plants with ski history

The “Around Kuhberg” herbal learning trail uses information boards to explain more than 200 native species of herbs, trees and shrubs, as well as their uses. Guided activities can also offer hands-on experiences, including making herb seasonings, ointments and tinctures, baking herb bread and cooking with wild herbs. Activities may vary depending on the season and provider; if you are interested, check what is available.

The approximately four-kilometre “Historic Skis” circular hiking trail offers a different focus. Its information stations tell the story of former ski manufacturers. The trail also offers views towards the Ore Mountain ridge and Eibenstock Reservoir, as well as Schönheide and the surrounding mountains. Compared with the herbal trail’s focus on plant knowledge, this circular route combines winter sports history with scenic views. Check trail conditions before setting out.

Museum railway, open-air stage and regional context

The historic Schönheide Museum Railway runs along a route just under five kilometres long between Schönheide and Stützengrün. The journey passes through the Vogtland landscape and covers considerable changes in elevation. The railway’s fleet includes a steam locomotive built in 1892, described as the oldest surviving steam locomotive. Operating dates are seasonal; check them separately if you are planning a ride.

The Fuchsstein grounds have an open-air stage and are used for local recreation. They are also used for cultural events, whose programme may vary. If you would like to combine a visit with an event, check the dates in advance.

The wider regional context may also be useful when planning your trip: the Erzgebirgskreis has a signposted hiking trail network of around 4,500 kilometres. The Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2019. These figures refer to the Erzgebirgskreis and the Mining Region, respectively, and complement the specific attractions in and around Schönheide.

Discover more destinations: Stollberg, Stützengrün, Lössnitz, Marienberg, Sehmatal, Johanngeorgenstadt, Hohndorf, Lengefeld

See the overview of the wider region: Erzgebirgskreis.