30.10.2024 – 15:00

Discover Leipzig Region’s Top 5 Winter Hiking Trails

Discover Leipzig Region’s Top 5 Winter Hiking Trails

While the summer months may draw many visitors to Leipzig's scenic hiking trails in the surrounding New Lakeland area, the region's beauty doesn't fade with the leaves turning. As winter approaches, a quieter, more peaceful landscape emerges, offering hikers unique opportunities to explore nature in its serene, frosty beauty. Whether it’s a lakeside walk with stunning views, a journey through history, or wildlife spotting in pristine nature reserves, these five top trails offer something special all year round. Here’s why winter hiking in the Leipzig Region should be on your radar.

Quality Hiking Trail Heath Beaver Tour – Discover Forests and Rivers

For those seeking an immersive winter hike, the Heath Beaver Tour (in German Heide-Biber-Tour) is a 30 km quality hiking trail that takes you through riverside forests, meadows, and wetlands, where you might even spot signs of beaver activity. The beauty of this area is amplified in winter as the snow and frost cover the landscape. Along the way, you’ll pass frozen streams and woodland paths that lead through the Düben Heath (Dübener Heide).

Route Length: 30 km
Starting Point: Bad Düben, approx. 40 km from Leipzig, can be accessed by bus from Leipzig
Duration and difficulty: 7.5 hours – moderate to challenging
https://www.leipzig.travel/en/tour/quality-hiking-trail-heide-biber-tour

Special Winter Tip: After a day on the trail, relax and unwind at the nearby HEIDE SPA in Bad Düben, offering saunas, wellness treatments, and excellent overnight accommodation: https://www.heidespa.de

Hiking Trail through the Zoological Garden Colditz – A Walk through Time

The Historic Zoological Garden in Colditz offers a hike rich in history and natural beauty. This 6 km trail takes you through a former royal hunting ground, where ancient walls, ponds, and wildlife provide an atmospheric winter setting. The trail is especially captivating in the colder months when frost settles on the trees and ponds.

Route Length: 6 km
Starting Point: Colditz, approx. 50 km from Leipzig
Duration and difficulty: 1.5 hours – moderate
https://www.outdooractive.com/de/route/wanderung/region-leipzig/wanderung-durch-den-historischen-tiergarten-colditz/33970252

Special Winter Tip: Book an individual tour at the nearby Colditz Castle, where you can explore its fascinating history interactively with the new Histopad. Find out more about tours and the youth hostel accommodation at Colditz Castle here: https://www.schloss-colditz.de/en/youth-hostel-colditz-castle

Round Walk Lake Kulkwitz – A Frozen Lakeside Retreat

Just outside Leipzig, the Round Walk at Lake Kulkwitz offers an idyllic 7-kilometre trail around one of the region’s most beautiful lakes. In winter, the lake’s glassy, frozen surface creates a stunning backdrop for a peaceful walk. The path is easy to navigate, offering scenic views and the chance to spot winter wildlife like ducks and swans resting on the icy shores.

Route Length: 7 km
Starting Point: Leipzig-Grünau can be accessed by tram or Markranstädt via S-Bahn
Duration and difficulty: 2 hours – easy to moderate
Route: https://www.leipzig.travel/en/tour/lake-circuit-at-the-kulkwitzer-see

Special Winter Tip: After your walk, visit the Meri Sauna to warm up and unwind: https://www.meri-sauna.de . For a perfect lakeside retreat, book a night in one of the cosy Swedish-style holiday cottages: https://www.leipzigseen.de/uebernachten/ferienhaeuser/schwedenhaeuser-am-kulkwitzer-see

Nature Trail at Lake Grabschütz – Wildlife and Winter Serenity

The Nature Trail at Lake Grabschütz is a hidden gem for those who want to experience nature’s winter beauty. This gentle, family-friendly walk winds around Lake Grabschütz, which is surrounded by wetlands that attract many bird species, even during the colder months. As you stroll along the 7 km route, the quiet landscape, information panels, and frozen reeds create an atmosphere of calm and reflection.

Route Length: 7 km
Starting Point: Grabschütz, approx. 20 km from Leipzig, can be accessed by bus
Duration and difficulty: 2 hours – easy and suitable for all ages
https://www.leipzig.travel/en/tour/nature-trail-grabschuetzer-see

Special Winter Tip: After your walk, take a short trip to Lake Schladitz for a more indulgent experience. Rent a sauna barrel and stay overnight at the Camp David Sport Resort for a truly relaxing winter retreat: https://www.campdavid-sportresort.de/

Countryside Trail from Wermsdorf to Collm – Ascend to Panoramic Views

For a more adventurous hike, the Wermsdorf to Collm Trail offers a rewarding 17 km route that takes you through forests, fields, and the picturesque countryside. The highlight of the trail is reaching the summit of Collm Hill, the highest point in the region, offering panoramic views of the winter landscape from the viewing platform at the top of the Albert Tower.

Route Length: 17 km
Starting Point: Wermsdorf, approx. 50 km from Leipzig, can be accessed by train and bus
Duration and difficulty: 4.5 hours – moderate
Route: https://www.outdooractive.com/en/route/hiking-route/region-leipzig/hiking-loop-from-wermsdorf-to-collm-mountain/14643785

Special Winter Tip: On clear days, the charming Altes Forsthaus Collm opens its doors for hikers. Call ahead to arrange a visit here: https://altes-forsthaus-collm.de/ Consider booking a stay at the nearby Hotel Döllnitzsee for a peaceful night by the lake: https://www.hotel-doellnitzsee.de

Further Information

For those seeking to combine nature with history, the long-distance Luther Trail in Saxony offers over 550 km of hiking routes through the region, following in the footsteps of Martin Luther:

https://www.leipzig.travel/en/discover/active/hiking#c13532

For more details and inspiration for winter hiking adventures, visit Leipzig’s official travel pages:

All hiking trails within the Leipzig Region can be accessed easily via the outdooractive and komoot app:

Are you interested in a media trip to get an authentic impression of the Leipzig Region and its diverse facets? Please feel free to contact us and let us know about your topics. Further information is available at www.leipzig.travel/press

Dana Marschner
Head of International PR
 
Phone +49 341 7104-333 • Fax +49 341 7104-344
 international-pr@ltm-leipzig.de •  www.leipzig.travel/en

Leipzig Tourismus und Marketing GmbH • Augustusplatz 9 • 04109 Leipzig • Germany
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