Meerane combines a guided tour of historic underground passages with trails through a hilly landscape and notable landmarks from the town’s history. When planning your visit, it helps to distinguish between the main attractions: the underground passages are accessible only as part of a guided tour, while the circular trails, museums, church and art each showcase a different side of the town. This lets you decide in advance whether your stay should focus mainly on trails in the countryside, the special tour of the underground passages or the town’s history.
Circular Trails and Landscape
Meerane has around 25 kilometers of hiking trails on three signposted circular routes of varying lengths. Circular Route 1 is 9.2 kilometers long and connects Meerane, Ponitz and Waldsachsen; the return route follows the B 93 to Wilhelm-Wunderlich-Park. The routes’ different lengths provide a practical starting point for planning your hikes. As route descriptions can change, check the local signposting before setting out.
Fields, meadows and forests also shape the hilly landscape and offer plenty to enjoy on walks and bike rides. The Gornzigtal nature trail offers a particular focus on nature: it runs through a natural valley with beech forest that is 100 to 150 years old, rare plants and native animals. A total of 82 bird species have been recorded in the area.
If you are considering a longer hike, you can use the 9.2-kilometer length of the first circular route as a guide to the distance. Here, scenic impressions and hiking plans go hand in hand, although not every route is the same length.
Underground Passages and a Steep Street
A guided tour of the underground passages takes you through a historic network of tunnels beneath the castle hill. The section open to public visits is 350 meters long and reaches a depth of up to eight meters; the tour lasts approximately 60 minutes. Important for planning: access is possible only as part of a guided tour. This makes the experience quite different from the trails in the countryside, which you can explore at your own pace.
A very different local landmark is the Steile Wand: the street is 248 meters long and has an average gradient of 13 percent. It is known for international cycling races and is also used as a stage destination for vintage car events. This brings two very different attractions together in Meerane: a guided look at the underground passages and a street associated with cycling and vintage car events.
Town History, Museums and Art
St. Martin’s Church stands on Meerane’s castle hill and was first mentioned in 1314. The Italian Steps lead directly from Teichplatz to the church. These two landmarks provide a practical reference point for a town walk, while the year 1314 marks a historical connection to the church.
The local history museum in the Old Town Hall explores Meerane’s history and its textile industry heritage. An original prison cell is preserved in the annex, Fronfeste. The Meerane Museum also displays a silver denarius from the 12th century, associated with the town’s first mention in 1174. The two dates refer to different things: 1174 is associated with the denarius and the first mention of Meerane, while 1314 is the first mention of St. Martin’s Church.
Art has its own places to visit, too: the ART IN gallery is housed in the Kunsthaus. Meerane Sculpture Park showcases public art on the site of a former industrial wasteland. Concerts, markets and festivals take place at Teichplatz; the events program varies. If your visit depends on a particular event, check the dates in advance.
Getting There by Car
Meerane is connected to the regional road network via the B 93 and A 4. Check road conditions and possible detours separately before setting off. When planning your trip, you can combine your choice of nature trails, cultural attractions and the guided tour of the underground passages with the relevant route and event information.
Discover more destinations: Neukirchen/PleiĂźe, Limbach-Oberfrohna, Reinsdorf, Gersdorf, Callenberg, Glauchau, Hartenstein, Niederfrohna.
Go to the overview of the region: Zwickauer Land.
