Ponds, seasonal wildlife watching and local history give Malschwitz a variety of travel highlights. A substantial part of the municipality lies within the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape Biosphere Reserve; the Lake Olbasee recreation area is a popular destination in Upper Lusatia. The nature trail, swimming waters and church appeal to a range of interests. When planning your stay, it is worth deciding first: should the season be guided by wildlife watching, would you like to include swimming waters, or are you particularly interested in the history of the town?
Pond Landscape and Carp Farming
At the House of a Thousand Ponds, you can learn about the biosphere reserve and the region’s traditional pond management. Guttau has long been associated with carp farming. The ponds between Guttau and Wartha were probably created from the 15th century onward to support this activity. This connection between ponds and carp farming offers a cultural and historical perspective on the landscape alongside the experience of nature.
The “Guttau Ponds & Lake Olbasee” nature trail passes through fields and swamp forest and includes numerous interactive stations. The Guttau Ponds nature trail is divided into sensory, fishing, legends and wonders sections. The landscape and themed stations thus offer two aspects: the outdoor surroundings and a range of thematic approaches.
Wildlife Watching by Season
In spring, frog choruses can be heard along the Guttau Ponds Trail; in autumn, visitors may see or hear hundreds of wild geese there. The sightings take place in different seasons, offering a practical guide to choosing when to travel.
Lake Olbasee and the Giant Oak
At Lake Olbasee, the EU-designated bathing site is classified as having excellent water quality based on long-term assessment data. The measurements date back to 2 June 2026; check the bathing water status again before your visit.
The Giant Oak by the Great Brick Pond is 700 to 800 years old and has a trunk circumference of 9 metres. Its age is given as a range, while the circumference is a specific measurement.
Local History and Walking Routes
The Evangelical church in the centre of Malschwitz dates in its present form to 1716. Malschwitz was first mentioned in 1225; in 1756, two manor estates were merged. The church, the first recorded mention of the town and the history of the estates represent different historical milestones.
The Upper Lusatian Circular Trail is a regional walking route that passes through Malschwitz. The nature trail focuses on fields, swamp forest and interactive stations; the circular trail offers a different way to plan your visit than this themed route. This lets you choose between a specific nature theme and a regional walking route.
A Cycling Loop in Bautzen District
The Bautzen North Tour offers another perspective on Bautzen District. This 43.1-kilometre cycling loop starts in Bautzen and passes through Quatitz, GroĂźdubrau, Milkel, Klix and Malschwitz before returning to Bautzen. It runs through the heath and pond landscape and along the nature trail in Crosta. Malschwitz is therefore part of a larger circular route. For visitors looking to include their stop in a cycling loop, this offers a different way to plan than a visit to a single nature destination.
Discover more destinations: Crostau, Steina, Hoyerswerda, Guttau, Ralbitz-Rosenthal, Hochkirch, Pulsnitz, GroĂźnaundorf.
For the broader travel overview: Bautzen District.
