The walk from Rackwitz railway station to Schladitzer Bucht is about 2.5 kilometres. This gives you a specific point of reference for this route. The other water and culture topics have different points of focus depending on the location: the protected-area designation is central to Lake Werbelin, while Lake Schladitz offers a range of water sports. Church organs and individual cultural venues offer other starting points for planning your trip.
Water: Protected Areas and Leisure Activities
Lake Werbelin, which was created from a former open-cast mine, covers 1,506 hectares. It has been designated a European bird sanctuary since 2006 and a nature reserve since May 2019. Check the current visitor rules before entering. These protected-area designations set Lake Werbelin apart from the leisure activities at Lake Schladitz, where swimming, sailing, surfing and freediving are among the options.
The water fun park at Lake Schladitz is an inflatable obstacle and climbing course on the water. Its seasonal opening schedule may vary, so check whether it is available before planning a visit. Interested in a walk around the lake? The circular route around Schladitzer Bucht is about 8.5 kilometres long and runs right along the water. A 9-kilometre paved circuit around Lake Schladitz is suitable for cycling, inline skating and roller skiing; the paved circular route is also suitable for wheelchair users.
Bicycles can be rented at the ALL-on-SEA Camp & Sport Resort on Lake Schladitz. There is an e-bike charging station at Schladitzer Bucht next to the LEVANTE restaurant. As seasonal opening, rentals and facilities may change, check these details before your visit.
Dining and Accommodation in Podelwitz
The cuisine at the Landgasthof Podelwitz ranges from hearty dishes to light Mediterranean fare. Its homemade specialities include pasta dishes. The inn also serves lamb, chickens, geese and ducks raised on its own farm. The menu may change. The inn also has a guesthouse with 15 beds that can be booked, subject to availability. If you would like to stay there, check availability when booking.
Town Hall, Churches and Culture
Rackwitz Town Hall is worth a visit. The historic church buildings in Podelwitz are also well worth seeing. Podelwitz village church has an organ by Johann-Gottlob Mende. Johann Sebastian Bach personally inspected the Baroque organ in Zschortau village church; his verdict was “capable, diligent and well constructed”. Zschortau Castle is also worth a visit.
Bunte Bühne Biesen hosts a variety of cultural events. If you are planning a visit, check the event dates. This lets you include a possible cultural visit as a separate item in your itinerary, without equating it with the churches and sights mentioned as permanent attractions.
Nordsachsen as a Wider Travel Region
The wider Nordsachsen travel region includes the Dübener Heide Nature Park, the Dahlener Heide, Wermsdorf Forest and the river landscapes along the Elbe and Mulde. Nordsachsen has a well-developed, signposted network of hiking and cycling trails. Cycling, hiking and sailing are among the options for active leisure. You can also try waterskiing in the lake district formed by former open-cast mines. These regional perspectives complement the individual destinations and bodies of water with a broader choice of landscapes and activities.
Discover more destinations: Beilrode, Löbnitz, Wiedemar, Mockrehna, Großtreben-Zwethau, Elsnig, Schönwölkau, Dahlen
Back to the regional travel overview: Nordsachsen.
