Drive of lights in the Christmas land Erzgebirge

This route starts at Scharfenstein Castle in Drebach. The castle houses noteworthy exhibitions and Karl Stülpner tells tales and legends of bygone days. From the castle, follow Scharfensteiner Straße for about 6 km to Drebach, keeping left at the junctions. In Drebach, stay on the main street. We recommend a detour to the Zeiss Planetarium with its Christmas program, especially for children. (Turn onto Straße der Jugend in Drebach and follow the signs.)

After about 3.8 km through Drebach, turn right onto Thumer Str. towards Herold. Follow the main road through Herold and at the intersection in Herold turn right onto Zschopauer Straße towards Gelenau. Continue for 4.4 km on Zschopauer/Herolder Straße and turn left in Gelenau. Through Gelenau follow Straße der Einheit for about 1.1 km. When you then turn onto Ernst-Grohmann-Straße, you arrive at the town hall square where you can see the floating Advent wreath on the pond by the town hall. You can also see the nativity scene with life-size figures there. Afterwards, return to Straße der Einheit in the same direction as before. If you want, you can make a stop at the Depot Pohl-Ströher, home to one of the world's largest outdoor Schwibbögen. (Drive to Depot Pohl-Ströher at the end of Gelenau, Emil-Werner-Weg.)

At the end of Gelenau, turn onto Willy-Poller-Straße. Then turn right onto Fritz-Reuter-Straße/B95 towards Burkhardtsdorf. Follow B95 for about 4 km and turn right in Burkhardtsdorf. Then turn immediately right onto the main road/B180 towards Thalheim and Meinersdorf. Stay on the main road in Burkhardtsdorf for about 700 m, then turn left onto Topfmarkt. The eurofoam Arena is signposted at the turn. Turn right and then left and you will reach the Bulldog Museum. Please note the opening hours due to Corona regulations.

After visiting the Bulldog Museum, return to Untere Hauptstraße in Burkhardtsdorf and head back the way you came. At the B95 on-ramp, go straight towards Kemtau and follow Talstraße through the charming villages. After about 7.5 km, turn right in Amtsberg OT Dittersdorf and then keep left. Follow Dittersdorfer Straße for about 2.4 km and turn left towards the Dittersdorfer Höhe. From this viewpoint, you have a wonderful view of the sea of lights of the surrounding towns and communities.

From Dittersdorfer Höhe, return to Dittersdorfer Straße and turn left. At the roundabout, take the first exit onto B180. Follow Gelenauer Straße to Weißbach and turn left after about 3.4 km onto the main street. After about 1 km, you arrive at Mini-Weißbach. (The miniature exhibition is illuminated for Christmas and invites you for a walk on the Weißbach Pyramid and Nativity Path. On the pond, you will discover the floating Advent wreath during Advent.)

After viewing Mini-Weißbach, continue on the main street through Weißbach and Wilischthal for about 3.8 km, then turn left and immediately right onto Scharfensteiner Straße. Follow this along the Zschopau until, after 2.2 km, you return to Scharfenstein Castle, the starting point of the route.

• Floating Advent wreath (Town Hall Square, 09423 Gelenau, www.gelenau.de)
• Viewpoint Dittersdorfer Höhe (09439 Amtsberg OT Dittersdorf)
• Miniature exhibition Mini-Weißbach (Mini-Weißbach, 09439 Amtsberg OT Weißbach, with floating Advent wreath)
• Scharfenstein Castle with Christmas and toy museum, castle history and Karl Stülpner museums

In Mini-Weißbach, the miniatures are not just for viewing, but also offer some special features.