Activities

The Erzgebirge-Vogtland Ridge Trail stretches for a total of 289 kilometers from Saxony to Thuringia. Nominated for Germany’s most beautiful hiking trail in 2021, the ridge trail offers fantastic views, blooming mountain meadows, refreshing forests, stream valleys, and reservoirs.

The stage from Sayda to Seiffen leads directly through the park of Purschenstein Castle:

Highlights

Sayda cross-shaped fir tree – glassworks museum – Purschenstein Castle Park – Neuhausen nutcracker museum – Schwartenberg (789 m) with mountain inn and observation tower – Seiffen – center of Erzgebirge woodcarving – Binge “Geyerin” – Seiffen round church

Duration approx. 3 hours

Difficulty: easy

BLOCKLINE is a unique biking adventure in the Ore Mountains. Discover the enchanting Eastern Ore Mountains on a total of 140 kilometers and 2,750 meters of elevation gain. The BLOCKLINE route consists of 15 individual stages. You can choose where to start the route yourself. Divide the BLOCKLINE up however you like: start on individual stages, explore the three loops, or do the entire circuit in one go. Decide for yourself how fast you want to experience your bike adventure!

The castle hotel is located directly on Loop 3 / Stage 11 of the BLOCKLINE.

As a BLOCKLINE Inn, we welcome all BLOCKLINE adventurers! We are optimally equipped for cyclists. We offer a lockable room for bikes, rental bikes, and bike washing facilities. Please let us know when booking if you are arriving by bike and would like to experience the BLOCKLINE.

There are a total of 27 varied bike tours to choose from in the Neuhausen/Erzgebirge region.

Don’t want to bring your own bike? No problem! We’ll be happy to help you rent a bike or e-bike from one of our partners.
Per e-bike from €32 per day.

Tourist office – town center, turn right at the intersection – follow the large sign to Schlossberg – at the old building, turn right – downhill on Schlossgasse – turn right – cross the Flöha bridge, after 50 m turn left – follow the Flöha (bike path) – turn right – pass the stadium and swimming pool (Jahnweg) – go uphill at the intersection – steep climb – follow the sign for “M. Follow the sign in the forest for approx. 1.5 km – shelter and information boards – turn right onto the left-hand side – continue on the left-hand side for approx. 200 m – turn left onto “Wiesenweg” past house no. 6 – after house no. 4, turn left into the forest and go uphill to Brüxer Str. – turn left onto this road – after 100 m, turn right – hiking trail towards Seifen – sharp angle to the right on the left – downhill to the town center – back to the tourist office.
Route length: approx. 8 km – moderately difficult
Altitude: 535 – 680 m
Tips: Purschenstein Castle, swimming pool

FVA Neuhausen, Bahnhofstraße – head east until you reach Neuwernsdorfer Weg 38 – turn right uphill – game reserve at the Hotel Goldhübel – turn right – after approx. 5 km, you will reach the Hotel Dachsbaude – Main road towards Schwartenberg – 200 m before the summit, turn right onto the grass path – after 200 m, turn left – downhill – crossroads, turn right – town center back to the FVA

Route length: approx. 11 km – moderately difficult

Altitude: 535 m -775 m

Tips: Nutcracker Museum, Schwartenberg

Enjoy a carriage ride around Neuhausen in the beautiful Ore Mountains with the whole family and round off the trip with a picnic in the open air. Or saddle up your own horse and explore the area on your own.

Summer season until the end of October (weather permitting)

From the Saxon inn Kleines Vorwerk (5 km from Purschenstein Castle)

– Carriage ride with historic hunting carriage (up to 4 people) $120/hour
– Carriage ride with park carriage (2 adults, max. 2 children) $120/hour
– Horse riding: large horse or pony €35/30 min., €60/hour
– Trail ride with guide: €50/30 min., €90/hour

(10 minutes’ drive away)

Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance (subject to availability)

The falconry was founded in 1992 and is currently located at Wolkenstein Castle.
Today, around 20 birds of prey are on display at the facility and can be seen in free flight. Visitors can admire various falcons, buzzards, eagles, vultures, and eagle owls at close range.

Flight demonstrations & prices (subject to change)
Thursday–Sunday at 3:00 p.m.
€7.50 for adults and €4.50 for children
Dogs are not allowed

(45 minutes away by car)

Travel by steam to Germany’s highest town

How about taking a steam train to Germany’s highest town? The Fichtelbergbahn railway takes you from Cranzahl to the spa town of Oberwiesenthal, at an altitude of 914 meters, after an hour-long journey through the romantic landscape of the upper Ore Mountains.

It’s a journey just like the one our grandparents used to take to enjoy the summer air on the Fichtelberg.
(75 minutes away)

Mining was carried out in the Ore Mountains for centuries. With the closure of the uranium mines and the last tin mines around 1990/91, mining was largely abandoned. Even today, the influence of mining can still be felt in many areas of daily life. This is evidenced not only by a large number of preserved mining monuments and landscapes, but also by the lively cultivation of arts and crafts, customs, and traditions rooted in mining. Many of the former mines can be visited and provide an insight into over 800 years of mining history.

Three extraordinary adventure loops await you on your bike along a 140-kilometer circular route: full of freedom, longing, and adventure. Enjoy the sensational panoramic views, explore the valley, and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of wood art.

The lovingly designed adventure handbook will accompany you on your cycling adventure. During the tour, you will be provided with exciting information about the nature and history of the Ore Mountains.

Our Schlosshotel Purschenstein is located directly on the Blockline and offers you an unforgettable stopover on your adventure.

The Neuhausen outdoor pool is located 2 km away from our castle hotel. The solar-heated outdoor pool is idyllically situated in a mature tree-lined setting and offers a 50-meter water slide, a lazy river, massage jets, a 25-meter swimming pool, and a baby pool with a small slide. Sunbathing lawns, a volleyball court, and catering facilities round out the offerings.

During the swimming season, the outdoor pool is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

You will find “Blockhausen” in the middle of the forest. Between three log cabins stand unique, huge wooden sculptures, which are created every year at Pentecost by the world’s best chainsaw carvers. Various events are also held here regularly.

On the way to Blockhausen, you will pass a beekeeper’s stand with beautiful beehive figures. You can take a seat at the longest table in the world (Guinness Book of Records 2010) and study the history of the surrounding towns engraved on the tabletop.

The log flume ditches date back to the 17th century. For around 250 years, the ditches were used to transport raw timber to the mining areas. Today, you can learn all about the history of the log flume ditches on a hike. The nature trail is around 23 km long and runs on both the German and Czech sides. Twenty-five information boards provide insights and extensive details about events, background information, and special features.

With its magnificent art collections and beautiful panorama of the river and Baroque architecture, Dresden is more than worth a visit. Visit the Semperoper opera house, the Dresden Frauenkirche church, Pillnitz Palace and much more.
(60 minutes by car)

The world-famous spa town lies on the southern edge of the Ore Mountains and is one of the West Bohemian spas. Stroll through the picturesque old town or visit one of the numerous spas.
(90 minutes by car)

The capital of the Czech Republic needs no introduction. Spend an unforgettable day in the historic old town with all its sights and round off the day with a traditional Czech lunch.

(100 minutes by car)

The European Capital of Culture 2025 surprises visitors with its 850 years of city history, industrial architecture, and the reconstruction efforts of the post-reunification period, all of which coexist side by side. The city center in particular is a prime example of the city’s eventful history.

(60 minutes by car)

With 800 years of tradition and 1,000 ore veins, the Freiberg visitor mine is one of the largest and oldest in Saxony. The “underground Freiberg” covers an area of 5 by 6 km beneath the silver town and beyond, with a complete network of tunnels stretching approximately 2,000 km – making it one of the largest silver mining areas in Europe.

(40 minutes by car)

The spa town of Seiffen lies almost on the ridge of the Ore Mountains. The town is characterized by a centuries-old tradition of craftsmanship, which began with mining and tin extraction and developed into glassblowing and the distinctive woodcarving of the Ore Mountains.

Seiffen is now famous for its unique woodturning, which produces items such as incense smokers, pyramids, and candle holders, earning the village the nickname “Toy Village.”
In addition to the toy museum, visitors should also check out the open-air museum and the summer toboggan run.

(10 minutes by car)

The annual Christmas market will take place on December 14 and 15 in Neuhausen on Affalterbacher Platz. The colorful program starts on Saturday at 3 p.m. with the Cämmerswalder Blasmusikanten brass band and ends on Sunday at 5 p.m. with a lantern parade featuring Santa Claus.

Just 5 kilometers from Purschenstein Castle, you will find Seiffen, a state-run resort. The town is particularly well known for its traditional craftsmen, toy makers, and their show workshops. Seiffen in the Ore Mountains is therefore nicknamed the toy village.

The Seiffen Christmas market is open from November 29 to December 22, 2024. Admission is free.

Monday to Friday: 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

About 13 kilometers from Purschenstein Castle lies Olbernhau, the “town of seven valleys,” which can look back on over 750 years of history shaped by mining, metallurgy, toy manufacturing, and a variety of other trades. Since 2019, Olbernhau has been home to the “Saigerhütte,” a monument complex that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Christmas market in Olbernhau is open from November 30 to December 15, 2024. Admission is free.

Just 38 kilometers from Purschenstein Castle, you will find the historic old town of Freiberg. It is an official UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the “Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region.”

The Freiberg Christmas Market will take place from November 26 to December 22, 2024.

Over 90 lovingly designed wooden huts are decorated in a mining theme and offer visitors attractions closely linked to Freiberg’s history. Admission is free.