A 600-horsepower steam engine at its original location, a 1628 city model and forest trails with named starting points give Werdau several clearly distinct ways to plan a trip. When choosing accommodation, start with one question: should your stay focus on city history, a longer hike or water-based activities? The destinations also differ in scale—from a historical city tour to a cycle route of around 110 kilometres.

City history and industrial heritage

At the Werdau City and Steam Engine Museum, you can explore several different periods. Archaeological finds help document Werdau’s beginnings around 1200. A city model shows Werdau in 1628, with its town hall, castle, St Mary’s Church and city wall. Early city history and a vivid picture of the city in the 17th century are presented side by side.

A 600-horsepower steam engine dating from 1899 stands at its original location and is considered one of Saxony’s most valuable industrial monuments. The museum grounds also include a steam storage locomotive that visitors can enter and a 1:20 scale model railway with more than 300 metres of track. The museum is also home to the largest collection of Fraureuth porcelain.

The historical city tour also includes several specific stops: it passes the market square and the surviving remains of the city wall. Other sights include the foundations of St Aegidius Church, built around 1170 and demolished around 1629, parts of the former Werdau Castle, a historic arcade and a vaulted cellar. Historical city tours can be booked through the museum for visits from May to October; check seasonal availability. Town hall tours usually last one to one and a half hours. The Werdau Nativity Trail is open only at Christmas.

Hiking trails, forest and architecture

The Flößergraben nature trail runs 5.5 kilometres each way from Leubnitz to the Waldmannsruh forest inn. Its starting point is on Trünziger Straße at the end of Leubnitz-Forst; parking is available near the forest barrier. The trail runs entirely through the Sachsenforst state forest. Landscape tours explore the history of rafting on the Pleiße and tell stories about the forest, fields, wildlife and the raftsman Ole.

In Werdau’s Leubnitz district, the Werdau Forest offers opportunities for walks around Rohrteich, Stauweiher and Elferteich. The Römertal in the Steinpleis district is a forest and meadow valley with breeding sites for rare marsh birds and protected plants. Another striking sight in Steinpleis is the Römertal Bridge: the 224.87-metre-long brick viaduct has 13 large and four small round arches and stands 23 metres high.

Numerous hiking trails run through the Greiz-Werdau Forest, which is a protected landscape area. Many of these trails also serve as cycling and riding routes. For a cycling trip, the Pleiße Cycle Path offers a different sense of scale: it is about 110 kilometres long, mostly paved or surfaced, and suitable for families and recreational cyclists. It heads south towards Werdau; the Steam Engine Museum is listed as a stop along the route.

Water-based activities and seasonal options

WEBALU in Werdau is an indoor and outdoor swimming pool with a sauna area. Facilities include swimming, children’s and baby pools, an outdoor pool area, a water slide and a waterfall. There are also aqua fitness, aqua jogging, water aerobics, rehabilitation sports, baby swimming and swimming lessons. Free parking, a motorhome parking area, charging facilities for e-bikes and electric cars, a shop and step-free access round out the facilities.

The Koberbach Reservoir is nearby. A circular hiking trail runs right alongside it. The beach resort offers a long sandy beach, anchored swimming platforms and a large sunbathing lawn; there is also a snack bar, beach volleyball and table tennis. If you plan to visit during the summer season, it is advisable to check availability in advance.

Getting there by train

The Vogtlandbahn connects Werdau with the Vogtland region and Cheb in the Czech Republic. Check the appropriate timetable before your travel date. Whether you focus on city history, hiking or water-based activities can help you find suitable hotels in Werdau for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Hirschfeld, Remse, Neukirchen/Pleiße, Zwickau, Lichtentanne, Oberwiera, Callenberg, Zwickau

Return to the main travel overview: Zwickauer Land.