Hiking in the Vogtland

Early in the morning our alarm rings and we start, equipped with backpack and suntan lotion, from the Leipzig lowlands to the town Netzschkau in the county Vogtland, about 130 kilometres in the southwest of Saxony. The dense fog wafts over the green fields and rolling hills, the streets are emptied and slowly we drive uphill.

In the district Brockau we park the car at a small parking lot, from here we start walking. Our destination: the “Kuhberg” – with 511 meters the highest peak in the northern Vogtland area and for more than 1.000 years a popular destination within the region. The backpack is shouldered and so we go. Several hiking trails and a nature trail stretch across the overgrown mountain to the top. Who chooses the direct, paved road, does not need much time, but we leave the main path and explore the many small paths and trails that wind around the mountain. Through the meter high forest we can at some points already spot the great view of the Vogtland at the horizon, however the peak is not yet reached. On the nature trail we come across a school class on hiking day. The girls are picking colorful wildflowers, the boys discuss which of the native plants is the most toxic one. Their teacher calls, it goes on and we continue our hike as well. The last few meters to the summit are somewhat steeper, but then we finally make it.