Lichtentanne: Schönfels Castle and Trails

Lichtentanne offers two distinct focal points for planning your trip: the architectural and cultural history of Schönfels Castle, and trails for walking and cycling. Individual attractions add further highlights, from a museum dedicated to medieval life to the former transport history of the Rußbuttensteig. You can plan your stay around the topics that interest you most.

Schönfels Castle: History and Views

Schönfels Castle is a medieval castle complex in the district of Schönfels and a starting point for circular hikes and cycling tours. Schönfels was founded around 1200, while the castle was built in the 12th century. It served as the administrative centre of the Lordship of Rode. The founding of the settlement and the castle’s construction history thus have different points of reference in time.

The castle was built on a diabase spur; its elevation is given as 393 metres. From the tower, you can see across the surrounding countryside. The museum at Schönfels Castle is devoted to the history of the site and medieval life. The tower and museum offer different perspectives: while the view takes in the landscape, the museum focuses on the castle and everyday life in the Middle Ages.

The castle’s cultural programme includes exhibitions, museum education activities, concerts and markets. Some events are date-dependent; check the programme before your trip for specific dates. St Barbara’s Church provides a different architectural highlight: it is a simple, aisleless church without a chancel, in the rural Early Baroque style. A medieval castle complex and a church in this style thus represent different architectural forms and periods.

The Rußbuttensteig and Its History

The historic Rußbuttensteig connects Lichtentanne and Schönfels. In the past, it was used to transport soot produced in charcoal-burning pits and pitch huts in the surrounding area, then carried towards Leipzig. Today, it connects the two places as a hiking trail; its former purpose was the transport of soot. The route therefore has two distinct aspects: a walking connection between Lichtentanne and Schönfels, and a history of earlier regional use.

On Foot and by Bike

You can explore Lichtentanne on foot or by bike using its hiking and cycling trails. Cycle route signage is available in all districts. Schönfels Castle is a starting point for circular hikes and cycling tours. This lets you choose between finding your way around the municipality and setting off on a loop from the castle.

The Pleiße Cycle Route is considered relatively easy and particularly suitable for families and recreational cyclists; most of the route is paved or has a firm surface. The difficulty rating and the surface answer different questions: one concerns the character of the route, the other the surface along most of the way. You can weigh these two features separately when choosing a tour.

Spring and Park in Ebersbrunn

The Pleiße rises at the Drei-Linden-Brunnen in Ebersbrunn, in a small park that invites visitors to linger. Here, the focus is on the spring and park, while Schönfels Castle is chiefly known for its architectural history, museum and views. This adds a nature-related highlight to the historical themes.

Discover more destinations: Callenberg, Meerane, Mülsen, Hohenstein-Ernstthal, Neukirchen/Pleiße, Crinitzberg, Reinsdorf, Lichtenstein

Back to the main travel overview: Zwickauer Land.