At Frießnitz Lake, species-rich wetland habitats, nature watching and a signposted circular hiking trail define Harth-Pöllnitz’s focus on nature. Burkersdorf and Niederpöllnitz add historic local connections. This gives you a clear choice: should hiking shape your stay, or would you also like to set aside time for local history?

Wetland Habitats and Nature Watching

A landscape of species-rich wetland habitats stretches between Birkhausen, Sandberg, the Struth lowlands and Frießnitz Lake. It is protected as a nature reserve and a European Site of Community Importance. At Frießnitz Lake, water buffalo graze the wet meadows as part of their management. This management practice is one of the area’s specific nature-related features.

An observation tower and the “Brehm” circular hiking trail, with information boards, have been set up at the lake so visitors can experience its diverse animal and plant life. The lower platform of the NABU observation tower at Frießnitz Lake is suitable for wheelchair users wishing to observe the lake. If this suitability is important to your plans, confirm the conditions on site.

The Frießnitz Lake Circular Hiking Trail

The signposted Frießnitz Lake circular hiking trail is about 20.3 kilometres long; shorter options are 8.2 and 14.3 kilometres. This lets you choose the distance you want and fit the walk around your other plans for your stay. The route runs through Struth and Großebersdorf, over Sandberg, alongside the Frießnitz Lake natural monument and past the Waldflachmoor natural monument. It also passes the Burkersdorf ponds and forms a circular route in Frießnitz. Check local notices about signage and the route before setting out.

Village History in Burkersdorf and Niederpöllnitz

Burkersdorf is a manor village documented as early as 1209. The village has a castle and a church standing above the village green. A chain of ponds extends into the forest; the Frießnitz Lake circular hiking trail passes the Burkersdorf ponds. In Niederpöllnitz, the tower of the former moated castle probably dates from the time of the witness Gottschalk von Polniz, mentioned in a document from 1238. The historical connections differ in how certain they are: Burkersdorf is documented as a manor village, while the tower’s dating remains probable.

Planning Your Stay

If nature and history are equally important to you, you can include both in your travel plans. The permanent exhibition “From the Land of the Vogts to the Principality of Reuß Elder Line” at the Upper Castle in Greiz has been devoted since 2010 to the history of the Vogts, lords, Imperial Counts and Imperial Princes of Reuß, as well as the associated culture of small-state residences. The Summer Palace was built as a summer residence for the Princes of Reuß Elder Line and is among the earliest Neoclassical buildings in Central Germany.

Discover more destinations: Langenwetzendorf, Schwarzbach, Steinsdorf, Greiz, Hain, Gera, Großebersdorf, Bad Köstritz.

Back to the main travel overview: Greiz.