It’s been quite some time since I’ve gotten to Saxony, so I was really excited to find myself in the town of Ehrenfriedersdof (that’s a mouthful, isn’t it), located within the Erzgebirge, or Ore Mountains, very close to Annaberg-Buchholz (8km) and 21km to Chemnitz.
This area was quite big on mining, so be ready to hike along the Silberstraße, a 12km hiking trail. Funny, that’s exactly the length of the Rundwanderweg, too. Anyway, the Saxon Museum of Industry does a great job explaining the ins and outs of mining, while the Tonis Haus der Steine offers a chance to see a huge collection of quartz.
Not all of Ehrenfriedersdorf is about mining, ya know. The Planetenwanderweg (stretching all the way to Drebach) will take you to the far reaches of the solar system, whereas the Waldgeisterweg is a hiking trail touting the wonders of the town’s backyard forest. Give yourself time to see the Greifensteine, a baker’s dozen of granite stones that double as an outdoor theater in the summer.
FYI, right down from the Greifensteine is the Greifenbachstauweiher. Open from May to September, the water is just perfect for swimming and sailing, camping, and games like volleyball. Don’t confuse this with the outdoor swimming pool — which is only open from early June to early September.
What’s great about things to do in Ehrenfriedersdorf, is you’re not limited to the warmer weather. The place is bustling even in winter — and with some 20km of cross-country ski trails, downhill skiing, and tobogganing — it’s no wonder.
For something a bit romantic, I can’t think of anything better than a horse-drawn winter sleigh ride.
I’m probably missing out on a lot, so a proper City Tour is what you might want to arrange. And no trip is finished without a visit to see the Pfarrkirche St. Nicholas (located at Oberekirch Straße 10). Church tours are given on Saturdays, so long as you call ahead to see this fabulous 14th century edifice.
My only regret is not to have seen the Fairytale Christmas Market, held on the third weekend of Advent. And I missed out on the City Festival in September, too. Oh well, maybe the next time I’m in Saxony. ;-)
