At 583 m high, Kottmar offers panoramic views across several mountain ranges and landscapes. The Legends Trail explores ten legends associated with the mountain; there are also other attractions within a 20 km radius. Kottmar brings landscape and folklore together, while nearby destinations provide additional options for planning your trip.
From the mountain, the view extends to the Bohemian Central Mountains, the Jizera and Giant Mountains, the foothills of the Ore Mountains, and the Upper Lusatian Heath and Pond Landscape. This panorama sweeps across a wide range of different landscapes. The Legends Trail offers a distinct focus: it centers on stories associated with Kottmar.
The Legends Trail around Kottmar
The 4.5 km Legends Trail circles Kottmar. Along the circular route, information boards present ten legends associated with the mountain. The trail therefore combines a clearly defined hike with a storytelling theme: instead of focusing on just one legend, it takes you through several motifs from local folklore.
When planning your walk, you can think of the boards as themed stops along the route. The 4.5 km distance and the number of legends featured provide concrete guidance. The circular route works well as a standalone activity; the panoramic views and legends offer different ways to experience Kottmar.
Starting point, bus, and attractions
The Legends Trail starts at the hiking car park above the Kottmarschenke. Bus route 56 provides access from the Hirsch stop in Eibau. If you’re travelling by bus, check the connection and timetable before setting off so you can plan your journey accordingly.
Within a 20 km radius of Kottmar are destinations such as Löbau, Herrnhut, Oderwitz, Zittau, and the Zittau Mountains. The options include museums and historic buildings, as well as a summer and winter toboggan run, the Zittau Narrow Gauge Railway, and hiking destinations. The range spans culture and architectural history as well as outdoor activities. Which destinations go together depends on what you want to focus on during your stay. Check access and current conditions for each attraction before visiting.
A baptism with water from the Spree’s source
A special experience led by a figure from local folklore is a baptism with water from the Spree’s source. The dwarf Gerbod conducts it at the geographically highest source of the Spree. Advance registration with the Eibau Tourist Information Office is required. If you plan to take part, arrange this with the office before your trip.
Görlitz: urban history and architecture
Görlitz’s historic old town and architectural monuments shape the cityscape. The old town comprises around 4,000 architectural monuments and is one of the best-preserved historic ensembles in Central Europe. Görlitz owes its still-visible wealth and extraordinary splendor to its location on the Via Regia. This historic European trade route once connected trading regions between Thuringia and Saxony to the west and Silesia, Bohemia, and Poland to the east. The Bürgerhäuser on Untermarkt Square date from the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
The Schönhof in Görlitz was rebuilt in the Renaissance style from 1526 onward following a city fire. It is the main building of the Silesian Museum in Görlitz and is one of the oldest Renaissance buildings north of the Alps. Another architectural ensemble is the Holy Sepulchre in Görlitz: built between 1481 and 1504, it comprises the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre, the Chapel of the Anointing, and the Chapel of Adam. The Holy Sepulchre is a unique replica of the holy sites of Jerusalem and the oldest surviving structure of its kind north of the Alps.
Discover more destinations
Eibau, Obercunnersdorf, Schönbach, Gablenz, Quitzdorf am See, Schleife, Hähnichen, Dürrhennersdorf
Return to the main travel overview: Görlitz.
