Beerheide: Hiking, Röthelstein and Vogtlandsee

Beerheide lies at an altitude of about 710 m above sea level on the watershed between the Zwickauer Mulde and the Rote Göltzsch. In suitable weather, the view extends west and north as far as the heights of the Thüringer Grenzrücken. Its elevation and landscape give the village a distinctive setting; the surrounding area combines hiking routes, natural attractions and cultural events.

Rocks, forest and Vogtlandsee

Röthelstein, located near Beerheide, is a quartzite rock. It is home to an open-air stage where the traditional Whitsun singing takes place on Whit Sunday. The combination of a striking rock formation and a recurring cultural event makes Röthelstein a special destination for a stay that brings nature and culture together. The Whitsun singing has taken place every year since 1953. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the date for your travel year.

Vogtlandsee lies in the forest between Beerheide, Waldpark Grünheide and Jägersgrün. The artificial reservoir covers about 6 ha and was built from 1935 to 1937 for flood protection. It is used for swimming in summer. If you are planning a day at the lake, check the access arrangements and current conditions on site in advance. This lets you include the lake’s summer use in your travel plans without assuming it is available year-round.

Another natural attraction is the Gahlenbachwiese area natural monument. It is located in the cadastral district of Beerheide in the town of Auerbach/Vogtland. Its protected status and precise location add to the picture of the landscape around the village.

Hiking and outdoor activities

The Beerheide Hiking Friends recommend twelve hiking routes to visitors. Information boards about these routes are located at three hiking car parks: at the Waldsportplatz, the Beerheide Cultural Centre and the Beerheide village square. You can use the boards at these locations to help with orientation and day planning. These three named places provide convenient starting points for familiarising yourself with the suggested hiking routes.

Cycling and horse riding are also options in the surrounding area: there is a well-developed network of paved cycle paths around Beerheide, inviting visitors to cycle for leisure. A well-developed, signposted network of bridleways is available for rides, allowing you to explore the area around Beerheide on horseback. These routes offer a different way to experience the landscape from the recommended hiking trails.

In Beerheide, visitors can learn the correct Nordic walking technique from medically trained professionals and borrow suitable poles. If you would like to include these services in your plans, confirm their availability before travelling. Reiterhof Reichelt offers carriage rides through the forests of Beerheide and the Vogtland; arrange the date and details in advance. Since 1 October 2025, the riding stable has no longer offered regular riding lessons for children or adults.

Culture and planning your stay

The village’s history can also be read in its landmarks: a cemetery chapel was built in Beerheide in 1890, alongside the establishment of a cemetery. Together with the annual Whitsun singing at nearby Röthelstein, it offers a different focus for a trip than hiking, cycling or summer use of Vogtlandsee.

Beerheide is accessible via the A72 motorway. When looking for a hotel in Beerheide, you can first consider what matters most to you during your stay: hiking routes and paved cycle paths, Vogtlandsee and its summer use, or an event around Whit Sunday. These options also vary by season and reason for travel. If you are planning a day at the lake, check the access arrangements; if you are travelling for Whit Sunday, check the date for your travel year.

For the broader travel overview: Auerbach/Vogtland.