Family Holidays in the Erzgebirge: Tips for Young and Old
A family holiday in the Erzgebirge: tips for excursions, nature and experiences for young and old – with the Sonnenhotel Hoher Hahn as your base.
A family holiday is at its very best when everyone gets what they came for: the children with movement, adventure and room to play, the grown-ups with peace, nature and a little pampering. The Erzgebirge is made for exactly that. This low mountain range on the German-Czech border stretches around 150 kilometres from south-west to north-east and is renowned as a popular hiking region. Right at its heart sits the Sonnenhotel Hoher Hahn above Schwarzenberg, the „Pearl of the Erzgebirge“. At around 670 metres altitude, in a quiet hilltop setting and with hiking and cycling trails right outside the door, it makes an ideal starting point for shared days among mountains, forests and history.
Why the Erzgebirge is a family paradise
The Erzgebirge offers exactly what families are looking for: short distances between nature and adventure. Here you will find gentle hills and viewpoints, leisurely hiking trails and a region full of stories of mining and time-honoured craftsmanship. The Montanregion Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří was even named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019 – a heritage you can discover here at every turn. For children it is as thrilling as a treasure hunt, for adults a living piece of cultural history.
If you would like to dive in even deeper, our Erzgebirge guide offers plenty more inspiration for the whole family.
Schwarzenberg: history you can touch
Schwarzenberg itself, just a few kilometres from the hotel, is a wonderful destination for a family day out. The old town sits picturesquely on a rocky ridge within a great bend of the River Schwarzwasser – a sight that delights you from the very first stroll. Towering above the town is Schloss Schwarzenberg, built as a fortress in the 12th century and later converted into a hunting lodge. Beside it stands the Baroque St.-Georgen-Kirche with its exceptionally richly carved, flat wooden ceiling.
Inside the castle, the family-oriented PERLA CASTRUM museum awaits. Across 700 square metres over three floors and within the tower, it tells the more than 850-year history of the town – from mining and the processing of tin and iron to woodcarving and bobbin lace. Here children may marvel, join in and discover. Tip: check the current opening hours before your visit.
Fancy more movement? In Schwarzenberg, a barefoot trail, a mini-golf course and a bowling alley with child-friendly bumper rails invite the whole family to play together. And the Rockelmannpark, the town's largest park at 3.6 hectares, is perfect for romping about, picnicking and catching your breath.
Adventures in the surroundings
There is plenty for families to experience all around Schwarzenberg. The Hoher Hahn near Bermsgrün, around 674 metres high, rewards you with a sweeping view of mountains such as Klínovec, Fichtelberg, Pöhlberg, Scheibenberg and Spiegelwald – a worthwhile destination right in the hotel's neighbourhood.
A true highlight is the Fichtelberg near Oberwiesenthal, at 1,214.88 metres the highest mountain in Saxony. You can reach the top in comfort aboard the Fichtelberg-Schwebebahn, the oldest aerial cableway in Germany. For young eyes, an unforgettable experience. In Oberwiesenthal, a summer toboggan run also provides speed and fun: 550 metres long, with almost 39 metres of vertical drop, nine steep bends and six curves. Children under eight ride together with an older companion – a huge thrill for young and old.
The Greifensteine in the Geyer forest are well worth an excursion too. Of the original thirteen granite rocks, seven remain, the tallest reaching 731.7 metres. Climbing enthusiasts get their money's worth here, and at the open-air theatre at the Greifensteine, plays, festivals and concerts have been staged since 1846 – the grounds are freely accessible and family-friendly. Take a look at the current programme before your visit.
Railway fans are drawn to the Eisenbahnmuseum Schwarzenberg in the former locomotive depot. There, one of the largest standard-gauge vehicle collections in Saxony awaits, with steam and diesel locomotives and historic carriages – wide eyes guaranteed for engine drivers young and old.
Rainy days? No problem
Not every holiday day plays along with the weather – and it doesn't have to. At the Sonnenhotel Hoher Hahn, an indoor pool and a children's playroom await, where the little ones can play to their heart's content while the grown-ups make themselves comfortable in the Finnish sauna and the wellness and relaxation area. That way, even a rainy afternoon becomes a relaxed family experience.
The hotel as a family-friendly base
So that your family holiday is a complete success, the Sonnenhotel Hoher Hahn is geared up for guests both big and small. Alongside the indoor pool, sauna and wellness area, there is a children's playroom, an outdoor playground and a kids' club – the best conditions for the little ones to make new friends. If you prefer something sportier, make use of the tennis court or the mini-golf course at the hotel. In the restaurant, half board with culinary theme evenings awaits, and you can enjoy breakfast in the bright winter garden. Active families will be delighted by the lockable e-bike garage with charging station and the hiking and cycling trails right by the hotel.
Whether a hike, a castle visit or a leisurely day by the indoor pool: from here, the Erzgebirge with all its adventures for young and old lies comfortably within reach. We look forward to welcoming you and your family as your hosts in the Erzgebirge.