Waltersdorf: Nature, Winter and Village History

Waltersdorf in the Zittau Mountains offers several distinct points of interest: the Lausche, with its nature and winter themes, routes through the village, and historic buildings. This mix is helpful when planning your trip, as you can consider nature activities and local history separately. You can decide which themes you want to shape your stay before looking for a hotel for your trip to Waltersdorf.

The Lausche and Winter Activities

The Lausche rises to 793 metres in the resort town of Waltersdorf in the Zittau Mountains. It is the highest peak in German territory east of the Elbe. This makes it a specific geographical reference for planning nature activities, as well as the shared focal point for the nature trail and winter activities.

The snow-covered landscapes around the Lausche are suitable for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing and winter hiking. These activities are seasonal and depend on snow-covered landscapes. Check whether conditions are suitable for your travel dates before planning specific winter activities.

Nature Around the Lausche

Along the nature trail to the Lausche, 14 information boards describe typical habitats and geological, botanical and zoological features of the “Lausche” nature reserve and the surrounding area of Waltersdorf. If you would like to learn about habitats and natural features as well as take part in activities during your stay, this trail offers a dedicated focus.

The route “Along the Nature Trail to the Lausche (793 m)” ends at the Nature Park Garden in Waltersdorf. The garden features a pond with a croaking frog and a stream, seating areas, family play stations, a barefoot path and a panoramic viewpoint. You can therefore include it in your plans as both the endpoint of the named route and a destination with a variety of garden areas to explore.

Village History and Layout

The heritage trail begins in the lower village of the resort town of Waltersdorf and follows the village street, passing along Hauptstraße into the upper village. Its route provides a guide through specific parts of the village. Heideborn is stop 11 on the trail and also the largest house well in Upper Lusatia. The trail can therefore be understood both through its route across the village and through this prominent individual landmark.

The Waltersdorf Folklore and Mill Museum is housed in the building of the village’s oldest watermill. This offers another link to local history alongside the route of the heritage trail: the museum combines folklore and the history of milling with the historic building in which it is housed. If you want to learn about Waltersdorf’s culture, you can distinguish between the trail through the lower and upper villages and the museum’s location in the watermill.

Nature Park Centre and Visitor Information

The Zittau Mountains Nature Park Centre is located in the historic “Niederkretscham,” opposite the village church in the resort town of Waltersdorf. The Tourist Information office at the Nature Park Centre sells tickets for various events in and around the municipality of Großschönau and reserves seats for theatre performances. If an event is part of your travel plans, you can ask this information office about tickets and theatre seats. The area covered by its services includes Großschönau and the municipality’s surrounding area.

For the wider travel overview: Grossschönau.