The Land of Christmas

Ore Mountains

UNESCO World Heritage and Christmas land

The Ore Mountains are one of a kind in Germany and considered to be one of the most stunning low mountain ranges in the country. Apart from its natural beauty, it is a region rich in history connected to the silver ore mining industry which goes back to the 12th century, with the last mines closing in the 1970ies. In 2019, this unique mining heritage was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Arts and crafts lovers should not miss the Ore Mountains during the festive season when it’s all about handmade wooden pyramids, candle arches, nutcrackers and other Christmas decorations that have become collector’s items around the world. You’re more the active type? No problem! Be it hiking, mountain biking or skiing, the Ore Mountains‘ great outdoors has something in store for every season.

Erzgebirgische Landschaft im Sonnenlicht

Towns and cities in the Ore Mountains

Location and getting there in Germany

The Ore Mountains are easily accessible by train via Dresden, Leipzig, or Chemnitz; by car via the A4, A72, or A17 motorways; or by long-distance bus. Within the region, historic steam trains offer nostalgic rides.

Saxony overall benefits from short distances. The three major cities Dresden, Leipzig, and Chemnitz are conveniently located, allowing you to quickly travel from one attraction to the next.

Annaberg-Buchholz – Berlin: 309 km
Annaberg-Buchholz – Hamburg: 530 km
Annaberg-Buchholz – Munich: 350 km
Annaberg-Buchholz – Cologne: 545 km
Annaberg-Buchholz – Frankfurt am Main: 423 km
Annaberg-Buchholz – Stuttgart: 446 km
Annaberg-Buchholz – Dusseldorf: 556 km

Ore Mountains experiences not to miss

Sights and attractions in the Ore Mountains

Our tips

City breaks and culture in the Ore Mountains

Freiberg Cathedral: Freiberg's St. Mary's Cathedral is one of the city's most famous monuments and impresses visitors with its golden gate, tulip-shaped pulpit, Silbermann organs and the Electoral Saxon burial chapel.
Full of sparkle and shine, terra mineralia in Freudenstein Castle is the largest and most beautiful exhibition of minerals and natural treasures in Germany with over 3,500 minerals, gemstones, and meteorites on display ✓ Accessible attraction
In Annaberg-Buchholz, the interactive Manufaktur der Träume museum features more than 1,000 works of Ore Mountain folk art from four centuries telling a unique history of the region. The museum is currently closed for refurbishment and will re-open in December 2026. ✓ Accessible attraction
KohleWelt in Oelsnitz: This museum complex brings to life the industrial past of the Ore Mountains. Going beyond a mere showcase of technology, it tells the story of the region's people and their everyday lives.
Explore Annaberg-Buchholz on a leisurely stroll and enjoy the historic mining town’s romantic old town, its narrow streets lined by magnificent houses and the majestic late-Gothic St. Anne´s Church.
Make your way up Saxony's highest mountain onboard the Fichtelberg suspension railway: Covering 1,175 metres and 303 metres in altitude, the ride takes 3.54 minutes, lots of fun and fascinating views included.
Built in the 16th century, Augustusburg Castle is considered one of the most beautiful Renaissance castles in Central Europe. Explore the castle museum and enjoy fantastic views of the surrounding area from the observation tower. Because of its imposing location and architecture, the castle is also known as the "Crown of the Ore Mountains".
The Frohnauer Hammer in Annaberg-Buchholz is a unique technical monument and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Erzgebirge/ Krušnohoří Mining Region. Visitors will learn how water power still drives the massive forge hammers today. The museum and the 1697 manor house offer fascinating insights into the Ore Mountain’s rich craftsmanship and industrial heritage.
At the Saxon Brewery Museum in Rechenberg, more than 450 years of brewing tradition come vividly to life. The historic brewery complex traces the journey from the brewhouse to the finished beer, complete with a cosy tasting in the rustic Schalander, a traditional tap and beer sampling room.

Our tips

Active holidays in the Ore Mountains

Mountain biking
- Blockline & Rabenberg TrailCenter: the Blockline, which also offers routes for families, takes you on a 140-kilometre journey through the Ore Mountain's wild and romantic low mountain range landscape, while the Rabenberg TrailCenter challenges you with varied routes on single trails.
- Stoneman Miriquidi (MTB & Road): Conquer 290 km and 4,900 meters of climbs with 13 epic ascents and checkpoints guiding you through the scenic Czech Egergraben and across the majestic Ore Mountains ridge. Whether on a mountain bike or road bike, every turn offers summit moments, ridge views and a unique cross-border adventure between Saxony and Czechia.
Hiking
- Erzgebirge–Vogtland Ridgeway: this certified hiking trail captivates visitors with sweeping views along the mountain ridge, tranquil natural landscapes, and a unique cross-border experience between Germany and the Czech Republic. In the warmer months, hikers explore around 287 kilometres of scenic high-level trails, while in winter the region transforms into a true haven for cross-country skiing: the Kammloipe and its connected trail networks offer excellent conditions for both classic and skating styles.
Winter activities
- Winter sports in Oberwiesenthal & Altenberg: skiing, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing – Ore Mountains winter sports resorts offer you fun in the snow both on and off the slopes.
- Stoneman Miriquidi Snow & Kammloipe: explore the area on touring skis or cross-country skis on a 130 km long winter circuit or the cross-border Kammloipe trail – ideal for sporty nature lovers.
Active fun on the Fichtelberg Mountain
- Flyline, cable car & monster sscooter: whether you prefer a leisurely float, a rapid descent or a scenic climb, there is no shortage of activity at Fichtelberg.

Mountain hiking, long-distance hiking trails and green hills

Hiking in the Ore Mountains

The Ore Mountains are a paradise for nature lovers, offering a wealth of hiking opportunities and a well-marked network of scenic trails. Leisurely walks lead through picturesque Saxon villages like Seiffen, while more challenging day hikes take you along long-distance and circular routes, revealing the region’s stunning landscapes. It’s no wonder this area is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The highest peak in the German Ore Mountains, Fichtelberg mountain, rises to 1,215 metres and can be reached either on foot or via the historic Fichtelberg Railway. For multi-day hiking adventures, the Erzgebirge-Vogtland Ridgeway offers excellent trails through the Saxon-Bohemian border region, stretching from the eastern Ore Mountains through the central range to the western foothills in Vogtland – all with breathtaking views along the way.

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Cycle yourself happy

Cycling in the Ore Mountains

Saxony’s Ore Mountains are a dream destination for cycling enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Whether you're up for the challenge of the legendary Stoneman Miriquidi, looking for a family-friendly ride on the scenic Blockline, or ready to push your limits in the Stoneman Miriquidi Road race, there’s a route for every level of skill and ambition. With winding trails through picturesque valleys and peaceful, forested landscapes, biking in the Ore Mountains is not only a great workout - it’s a refreshing escape for the soul.

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Special tips for the warm-weather months in the Ore Mountains

Discover the newly opened Purple Path – one of the leading projects of the 2025 Chemnitz European Capital of Culture programme and absolutely worth a visit. The open-air art and sculpture trail showcases works by international and national artists, telling stories of people, craftsmanship, and 850 years of mining history in the Ore Mountains and Chemnitz. Zwickau. Region
Get your kicks in Oberwiesenthal, with the world’s longest zipline. You’ll start at a height of 1,200m and will float like a bird along the 1,500m line down to the valley. Open from May to October.
Open your eyes to the beauty of the Ore Mountains scenery with its peaceful forests, rivers, streams and picturesque meadows. Click here to find your perfect hiking trail!
Interested in traditional handicraft? Explore the “toy village” of Seiffen, known for its intricate wooden art objects and take a peek in the local workshops to see how it’s done.

Bergmann bei der Bergparade in Seiffen // Miner at the mountain parade in Seiffen — © Wolfgang Thieme

Ore Mountains folk art

Miners' traditions and craftsmanship

The Ore Mountains are one of Germany’s most distinctive cultural regions, shaped for centuries by mining and traditional craftsmanship. From the 12th century onward, silver, tin, and iron mining brought prosperity to towns such as Annaberg-Buchholz, Freiberg and Altenberg. Today, this heritage can be explored in historic town centers, visitor mines and themed mining trails across the region.

As mining declined, woodworking became a defining craft of the Ore Mountains. Using time-honoured techniques, artisans continue to create the region’s iconic folk art, including nutcrackers, incense smokers, candle arches, angels, and Christmas pyramids. Seiffen, widely known as the “toy village”, remains a center of this living tradition. A special highlight is Neuhausen, home to Europe’s first nutcracker museum and a record-breaking giant nutcracker.

Saxon craftmanship

Open detail page 'terra mineralia in Freudenstein Castle'
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terra mineralia in Freudenstein Castle
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Ore Mountain Toy Museum in Seiffen
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Crottendorfer Räucherkerzenland
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Steam ahead!

Train adventures in the Ore Mountains

Plumes of steam rise dramatically as a locomotive of the Preßnitz Valley Railway hauls its train uphill between Steinbach and Jöhstadt, evoking the golden age of rail travel. The Ore Mountains are home to several remarkable steam railways that delight railway enthusiasts and hiking holidaymakers alike – from the Fichtelberg Railway, Germany’s oldest narrow-gauge steam railway in continuous operation since 1897, to the scenic Weißeritz Valley Railway running from Freital to Kipsdorf. Each line has its own distinctive character, blending living industrial heritage with captivating landscapes and inviting visitors to experience unforgettable journeys on routes such as the Ore Mountains Scenic Railway or the Schönheide Museum Railway.

More about steam railways in Saxony

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Schwarzenberg Railway Museum
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SDG Sächsische Dampfeisenbahngesellschaft mbH – Weißeritztalbahn Railway
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It's the most wonderful time of the year

Christmas in the Ore Mountains

Spending Christmas in the Ore Mountains means stepping into one of Europe’s most enchanting festive traditions. During Advent, towns and villages glow with warm light as artfully carved wooden candle arches, Christmas pyramids, and nutcrackers illuminate windows and streets, bringing brightness to the dark winter season. Traditional Christmas markets, historic miners’ parades, handcrafted decorations and regional delights such as Stollen, gingerbread, and the traditional Christmas dish "Neunerlei" create a magical atmosphere, inviting you to celebrate and discover the Christmas wonderland of the Ore Mountains.