Schellerhau: Nature and Hiking Experiences in the Eastern Ore Mountains

Schellerhau combines special nature experiences with varied trails for explorers of all ages. The Botanical Garden, the mountain meadows around the village and an extensive network of hiking trails offer different options for your trip: you can plan an excursion with specific destinations, take a longer loop or choose a child-friendly trail. In winter, cross-country ski trails and the ski slope at Rotterhang also shape the range of leisure activities.

Nature between the Botanical Garden and mountain meadows

A prominent attraction is the Schellerhau Botanical Garden. Covering 1.5 hectares, it displays around 1,400 different plant species, cultivated exclusively outdoors. This gives the garden its own distinctive way of getting to know the plant life of the Eastern Ore Mountains. The “Nature & Music” discovery trail also includes eight natural musical instruments. This means that a visit can be enjoyed not only as a tour through the garden, but also as an exploration involving a variety of sensory impressions.

Around Schellerhau lie larger meadow complexes belonging to the “Mountain Meadows around Schellerhau and Altenberg” FFH area. Species-rich mountain meadows, matgrass grasslands, wet meadows, marshy areas and bog woodlands alternate here in a mosaic-like pattern. Those who want to do more than simply pass through landscapes while travelling, and instead experience them more closely, will find a defining feature of the area here.

Hiking routes for different daily itineraries

The circular hike around Schellerhau is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchair users. This provides a clear point of reference for anyone looking to choose a route with the most suitable trail conditions possible. The loop passes Stephanshöhe, one of the 14 “Eight-Thousanders” in the Eastern Ore Mountains. In this way, it combines exercise in the landscape with a special regional destination.

For children, the “Teufelino” hiking trail offers its own way of discovering the surroundings. It is based on a legend about the origins of Schellerhau, has small destinations along the route and is accompanied by a child-friendly booklet with a stamp card. Families can use it to enrich a walk with storytelling and playful stations without leaving the nature theme behind. The extensive and well-signposted network of hiking trails around Schellerhau also offers further opportunities to choose the length and focus of the day flexibly.

Winter activities at Rotterhang

The facilities in Schellerhau include a drag lift at Rotterhang. The ski-lift run is about 200 metres long, and the ski slope is illuminated by floodlights for evening skiing. Schellerhau also has direct access to the approximately 70-kilometre groomed cross-country ski trail network of the Altenberg holiday region, as well as to cross-country trails extending beyond the region. When planning your trip, you can therefore distinguish between a short downhill run, an illuminated evening run and longer cross-country skiing routes. This information also helps you choose your preferred accommodation based on your planned daily activities, without confusing the different winter options.

Schellerhau as a starting point for your accommodation search

If you are looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Schellerhau, it is worth first considering which experiences should define your stay. For nature lovers, the Botanical Garden and the mountain meadows are the highlights; for active days, the hiking network and the circular hike take centre stage. Families can plan the Teufelino Trail with its small destinations and accompanying booklet, while in winter Rotterhang and the cross-country ski network allow for a different kind of day. From Altenberg, bus route 367 continues to Schellerhau, providing a specific reference point for planning your journey.

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Schellerhau, you can also include Bärenburg, Hermsdorf/Erzgebirge and Kurort Kipsdorf in your further search.

For the higher-level travel overview: Altenberg.