Schmölen: Planitz Forest, Mulde and Ursula Chapel

Schmölen offers a range of reasons to visit: nature, local history and recreational activities. The Planitz Forest begins just behind the upper village; the Ursula Chapel and the annual village festival offer different highlights. At Forsthof Waidmannsheil, you’ll find outdoor activities, dining and events that vary throughout the year. Recreational rowing is also available in Schmölen. Depending on your interests, you can choose between the forest, history and activities on the water.

Planitz Forest, hiking and the Mulde

The Planitz Forest begins just behind the upper village of Schmölen and offers opportunities for long hikes on foot or by bicycle. Hiking and cycling offer two different ways to experience the forest. On a hike from Beucha through the Planitz Forest, you cross the Mulde in Schmölen on the Ruff ferry to Dehnitz. The ferry between Schmölen and Dehnitz can carry up to 16 people with bicycles per crossing. This specific crossing adds a river crossing to the general opportunities for hiking and cycling in the forest. Ferry service may be seasonal; check current availability before your trip.

Ursula Chapel and village festival

The Ursula Chapel was built in the mid-15th century as a private chapel for the estate. Today, all the residents of the municipality of Bennewitz celebrate their annual village festival on the grounds around the chapel. The historic building and the recurring event belong to different periods in the history of the same place: the chapel reflects its origins, while the festival is part of community life today. If you’d like to include the festival in your travel plans, check the exact date.

Leisure activities at Forsthof and on the water

At Forsthof Waidmannsheil in Schmölen, you can enjoy a relaxed meal; there are also events that vary throughout the year. The adventure playground, spacious outdoor grounds and wooden nature trail offer plenty of variety, especially for children. Adults can relax with food and drink in the barbecue hut or on the sunny south-facing terrace overlooking the Planitz Forest. The offerings cater to different interests: play outdoors and explore the wooden nature trail, or take a break over food and drink. The view of the Planitz Forest from the south-facing terrace offers a different way to connect with nature than a hike in the forest.

Recreational rowing is another option in Schmölen. The Wurzener Rudervereinigung Schwarz-Gelb e.V. offers it from its boathouse. This gives you another water-based activity besides the Ruff ferry, though the two serve different purposes: the ferry crosses the Mulde between Schmölen and Dehnitz, while rowing is the club’s recreational activity. When comparing activities on the water, you can choose between crossing the river and recreational rowing from the boathouse.

Discover more destinations: Altenbach

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