Basalt, hiking trails and the history of a tunnel give Dohma a distinctive character. The town is located on a plateau between the Bahretal and Gottleubatal valleys. Dohma is considered peaceful, green and idyllic, as well as a holiday destination and a starting point for hikes in Saxon Switzerland and visits to Dresden. You can plan your stay around hiking destinations and cultural history.
Hiking to Basalt and Tunnels
One of the well-maintained hiking trails leads to Cottaer Spitzberg. Another hiking trail runs from Dohma to the Neu Dohmaer Tunnel; from Cotta, hiking options lead into the Lohmgrund as far as the Cottaer Tunnel. The different destinations offer a range of options for planning your day.
Cottaer Spitzberg is 390.8 metres high and made of basalt. It has been protected as a designated natural monument since 1979 because of its geological and botanical features. So this hiking destination is notable not only for its elevation and rock, but also for the characteristics that warrant its protection. As hiking trails may change, check the current route before setting out.
History in Dohma and Cotta
During the Second World War, paintings from the Dresden Old Masters Picture Gallery were hidden in the Neu Dohmaer Tunnel. This episode links local hiking routes with a specific chapter of art history. Anyone interested not only in the landscape but also in the history of artworks during wartime will find a special point of interest here.
In 1662, a castle was built next to the church in Cotta, together with a castle park covering more than 7,000 square metres. The castle and park can be visited on a walk through the village; public access may vary. This way, a village walk can also take in the area’s architectural history, without assuming that the park is accessible regardless of current access conditions.
The ProtzemĂĽhle is located near Altneundorf in the Gottleubatal valley. It was first mentioned in 1575 and is a listed monument. You can enquire about guided tours of the local history room through the Dohma municipal administration. As visit arrangements may change, check the details in advance.
In the wider destination of the Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge district
The wider Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge district also offers a range of thematic points of interest. Saxon Switzerland National Park is Saxony’s only national park and Germany’s only rocky national park. The Malerweg is a long-distance hiking trail that runs through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in eight stages. It is exclusively a hiking trail and cannot be explored by bicycle or e-bike.
The Elbe Cycle Route has a different route profile: it follows the river and offers views of table mountains and villages, as well as family-friendly stops along the Elbe. A 40-kilometre section runs through Saxon Switzerland. The district therefore offers a variety of regional highlights for hiking and cycling tours.
For another perspective on the district’s history, the Altenberg Mining Museum provides a comprehensive overview of 550 years of tin mining in Altenberg. Mining there began around 1440 and came to an end when operations were closed in 1991. This period offers a distinct way to explore regional history, complementing the stories of art and architecture around Dohma and Cotta.
Discover more destinations: Bonnewitz.
Go to the main travel overview: Pirna.
