Ore Mountains

The highest peak on the German side of the Ore Mountains is the Fichtelberg with 1215 m. It is surmounted only by Klínovec or Keilberg with 1243 m on the Bohemian side. The gentle hills, wide valleys and moors of the Ore Mountains are bordered by the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in the east and the Elster Mountains in the west. To the south are the North Bohemian Basin and the Bohemian Central Mountains as well as the Falkenau Basin, the Egergraben and the Duppau Mountains. Towards the north the Ore Mountains drop flat and the border becomes blurred.

The Nature Park Ore Mountains/Vogtland includes the higher altitudes of the Ore Mountains from about 500 m. The nature park extends over a length of 120 km along the Saxon-Bohemian border from Bad Elster to Holzhau. Within the nature park there are some smaller protected areas as well as natural monuments of the region. The landscape is characterized by mysterious moors, quiet lakes and rugged mountains.

Since the Middle Ages, the Ore Mountains have been exposed to strong human influences, which have shaped the landscape of today. Especially mining is formative, also for the habitats of plants and animals. Numerous forest areas had to be cleared to meet the demand for wood for mining. In the meantime, more mixed forests have been planted, as these are more resistant than the spruce monocultures that used to be here.

The Ore Mountains are part of the Elbe catchment area and the rivers from the mountains all flow into the river. There are no larger natural lakes, therefore fishing ponds and artificial ponds for mining were created as well as dams for the provision of drinking water and flood protection. In the ridge layers there are often raised bogs, which are mostly fed solely by rainwater.

The tourism in the Ore Mountains is growing, especially day tourists can be found. Hikers like to come and roam the forests and mountains on 5000 km of marked trails. With nationally and internationally important long-distance hiking trails, beautiful views from the mountains and cosy inns along the trails, the region attracts more and more visitors.

Also cyclists have found pleasure in the Ore Mountains in the meantime. Along the rivers and on old railroad tracks it is a pleasant ride. More challenging are the Miriquidi Bike Trails, the first mountain bike trail network in Saxony, which includes more than 200 km of signposted paths and trails.

In winter, the Ore Mountains with their densely wooded and snow-assured ridges offer ideal conditions for winter sports enthusiasts. Ski lifts carry visitors up and cross-country skiers are on their way on more than 1000 km of groomed trails. Christmas tourism is particularly popular in the Ore Mountains. Mining has given rise to a number of traditions and customs that are firmly linked to the region and are known regionally, nationally and internationally.