The Erzgebirge in Autumn: Golden Forests and Crisp Air
Golden forests, crisp air and UNESCO World Heritage: discover the Erzgebirge in autumn around the Sonnenhotel Hoher Hahn in Schwarzenberg.
When the days grow shorter and the light turns golden, the Erzgebirge reveals what is perhaps its most beautiful side. The vast forests take on warm colours, the air becomes clear and fresh, and a special stillness settles over the hills — the kind only autumn can bring. If you long to escape everyday life and breathe deeply once more, you will find exactly the right place up here at around 670 metres above sea level. Come along on a journey through a wonderful low-mountain landscape.
A landscape that comes alive in autumn
The Erzgebirge stretches in a south-west to north-east direction over a length of around 150 kilometres. Running right through it is the Erzgebirge/Vogtland Nature Park, which, with an area of 1,495 square kilometres — around 61 percent of it forest — is the most extensive nature park in Germany. It was founded in 1990, and in autumn especially this green expanse unfolds a magic all its own: dense mixed forests, gentle mountain ridges and quiet valleys as far as the eye can see.
Towering above it all is the Fichtelberg, at 1,214.88 metres the highest mountain of the Erzgebirge on the German side and at the same time the highest mountain in Saxony. Its even taller neighbour, the Keilberg (Klínovec) on the Czech side, measures around 1,244 metres. At the foot of the Fichtelberg lies the spa town of Oberwiesenthal, the highest-lying town in Germany. If you wish, the Fichtelberg cable car will carry you to the top — it has been in operation since December 1924, making it the oldest aerial cableway in Germany.
Hiking along the ridge — and right on the doorstep
Autumn is the hiking season par excellence, and the Erzgebirge offers a veritable web of trails for it. Its best-known showpiece is the Kammweg Erzgebirge-Vogtland: a certified quality hiking trail of around 286 kilometres in length, divided into 17 stages. Its hiking season runs from May to October — so early autumn is still among the very best times to set off, when the forests glow in warm colours.
But you needn't travel far to start walking. Hiking and cycling paths begin right at our hotel, leading you straight out into nature without any detours. For cycling enthusiasts there is a lockable e-bike garage with a charging station — ideal for exploring the surroundings on two wheels and returning in the evening with a full battery. You will find more inspiration for tours, excursions and discoveries in our Erzgebirge Guide.
Schwarzenberg — the pearl of the Erzgebirge
Just a few kilometres to the north lies Schwarzenberg, which for over 150 years has been lovingly called the "Pearl of the Erzgebirge". The castle defines the town's silhouette from afar — it crowns a rocky spur above the Schwarzwasser and gives the old town its unmistakable character.
Within the castle is the PERLA CASTRUM museum, which across 700 square metres of exhibition space tells the town's more than 850-year history. Its focus lies on iron and tin processing, the art of carving, bobbin-lace making and mining tradition — an ideal place for a cooler autumn day. Schwarzenberg lies partly within and beside the Erzgebirge-Vogtland Nature Park and along two important European long-distance hiking trails, the Eisenach–Budapest long-distance trail and the European long-distance path E3; the Kammweg runs just a few kilometres away.
A region steeped in history
The Erzgebirge is not only nature, but also living history. In July 2019, the Montanregion Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří was recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This includes 17 component areas in Saxony and five in neighbouring Czechia. The roots of this mining tradition reach far back: to the first silver find in the year 1168 in Christiansdorf, now part of the town of Freiberg. There, too, stands the oldest still-existing mining-science university, the Mining Academy founded in 1765.
Just how deeply mining shaped the people is shown by a symbol at home throughout the entire Erzgebirge: the Schwibbogen. The famous Schwarzenberg Schwibbogen depicts two miners with a coat of arms bearing the crossed Saxon electoral swords, a carver and a lace-maker — three of the population's main sources of income in the 18th and 19th centuries. The lights set upon it stand for the miners' longing for daylight, which, especially during the winter months, they often did not see for weeks on end. The oldest known metal Schwibbogen dates from the year 1740 and comes from Johanngeorgenstadt.
Arrive, breathe, enjoy
After a day in the clear autumn air, it feels good to return to cosy warmth. With us, an indoor pool, a Finnish sauna and a wellness and relaxation area await you, where you can let the day come to a peaceful close. In the restaurant we spoil you with half board and, time and again, with culinary themed evenings, while you enjoy your breakfast in the light-filled winter garden.
Families are well looked after, too: a children's play room, an outdoor playground and a kids' club ensure that our youngest guests enjoy a holiday all their own. If you prefer something more active, you will find a tennis court and minigolf right at the hotel, and in winter the ski lift on the edge of the village awaits.
Set in a tranquil hillside location around 3.5 kilometres south of Schwarzenberg's town centre, the Sonnenhotel Hoher Hahn is the ideal starting point for discovering the golden Erzgebirge — with the forests right outside the door and the whole region within easy reach. We look forward to welcoming you.