Zwickau District: Mulde River, Cycling Routes and Discoveries

The Mulde, protected areas and trails

The “Mulden- und Chemnitztal” Landscape Protection Area covers, at its core, the course of the Zwickauer Mulde between Zwickau and Wolkenburg. It covers approximately 4,348 hectares. The district also currently has 14 Special Areas of Conservation and two Special Protection Areas designated, with a combined area of approximately 2,200 hectares. These protected areas shape the natural landscape, which you can discover on excursions around the region.

There is an extensive, well-developed network of marked trails for hiking, with plenty of rest stops and places to eat. Around 700 kilometres can be explored on foot. Another option is the Saxon Way of St James: within the district, it runs from the A72 near Hartenstein to the Vogtland border at Hirschfeld. You can choose from the different trails based on your preferred distance and interests; the stated total length of the hiking trail network gives you an indication of the variety of options.

Cycling along the Mulde

The Hartenstein–Glauchau Mulde Cycle Route runs along the Mulde through the district, via Zwickau to Glauchau. A train connection from Zwickau Central Station to Hartenstein is listed for this route. Within Zwickau, the section along the Muldendamm is part of the long-distance Mulde cycling route, which is 268 kilometres long. The Muldendamm cycling and hiking trail also invites visitors to walk, cycle, jog, hike and relax. If you plan to focus more on cycling during your stay, you can take these route details into account when choosing your base; the district’s hiking trails and destinations offer different highlights for other kinds of trips.

Museums and places to visit

The German Agricultural Museum at Blankenhain Castle is a museum complex unique in Germany. The museum spans 13 hectares and includes 80 buildings and 100 themed exhibitions. It offers a wide-ranging insight into various aspects of agriculture. In Zwickau, the August Horch Museum explores the history of automobile manufacturing: located at Audi’s historic birthplace, it presents more than 120 years of Zwickau’s automotive history across 6,500 square metres of exhibition space. English-language tours, including guided tours led in person, and an audio guide are available for museum visitors.

Nature and leisure activities are also among the possible destinations for day trips. Founded in 1956, Hirschfeld Zoo covers an area of 23 hectares and is home to around 600 animals representing more than 100 species. A playground and the neighbouring mini-golf course add to the facilities on site. In Callenberg, the Stausee Oberwald area is designated as a local recreation area and bathing lake. In Waldenburg, the Waldenburg Open-Air Theatre Association is listed as an open-air stage in Grünfelder Park. These destinations offer different experiences; choose your base according to the excursions you would most like to focus on.

Discover towns in the district

To get your bearings in the district, you can also explore its individual towns and municipalities: ReinsdorfReinsdorf, CrinitzbergCrinitzberg, OberlungwitzOberlungwitz, ZwickauZwickau, WaldenburgWaldenburg, HirschfeldHirschfeld, WildenfelsWildenfels, LichtentanneLichtentanne, ZwickauZwickau, WerdauWerdau, Neukirchen/PleißeNeukirchen/Pleiße, MülsenMülsen, MeeraneMeerane, Limbach-OberfrohnaLimbach-Oberfrohna, Hohenstein-ErnstthalHohenstein-Ernstthal, CrimmitschauCrimmitschau, GlauchauGlauchau, CallenbergCallenberg, KirchbergKirchberg, HartensteinHartenstein, GersdorfGersdorf, LichtensteinLichtenstein, OberwieraOberwiera, RemseRemse and NiederfrohnaNiederfrohna. The right holiday apartment as a base depends on whether cycling, hiking, museum visits or a variety of day-trip destinations matter most to you.

For the broader travel overview: Saxony.