Perched at 914 meters, Oberwiesenthal is the highest town in Germany, a borderland gem in Saxony’s Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge). Once a mining settlement, it’s now a year-round base for hiking, steam-rail nostalgia, and winter sports. The 1924 Fichtelberg cable car—Germany’s oldest—still glides to the summit with the same quiet drama that has wowed generations.

The town shares its ridge with the Czech Republic—one foot in Germany, the other in Bohemia—so day trips to Klínovec and Boží Dar feel natural. You’ll find cozy mountain huts, hearty dishes like potato soup and schnitzel, and, in winter, an interconnected ski area with slopes on both sides of the border. In Advent, the Ore Mountains glow with folk art—Schwibbögen, Räuchermännchen, and toys that made the region famous.

Spring to autumn brings wildflower meadows and bike paths; winter delivers excellent skiing and cross-country trails. Carry an ID for easy border crossings. Budget tip: self-cater breakfasts and picnic lunches, then splurge on one memorable dinner each day.

Oberwiesenthal

Oberwiesenthal is small enough to feel intimate and big enough to keep you busy. The Markt square, valley cable-car station, narrow-gauge railway, and trailheads are all walkable. Expect pine-scented air, church bells, and views that roll to the horizon.

Top draws include the Fichtelberg summit (1,215 m), the historic Fichtelbergbahn steam railway, and cross-border walking routes toward Boží Dar and Klínovec. Mountain huts pour Freiberger Pils and serve belly-warming classics—ideal after a ridge hike or a ski day.

• Where to stay (budget to midrange): Browse apartments and guesthouses on VRBO in Oberwiesenthal for kitchens and great value, or compare hotels on Hotels.com Oberwiesenthal. Location tip: near the Markt for cafés, or by the valley station for the cable car and summer toboggan.
• Getting in: Nearest airports are Dresden (Germany) and Prague (Czechia). Check flight options to/from Europe on Omio (flights to/from Europe). From Dresden or Prague, trains and buses connect in 2.5–3.5 hours—plan routes on Omio (trains in Europe) and Omio (buses in Europe). Romantic option: take the regional train to Cranzahl and ride the Fichtelbergbahn steam railway up to Oberwiesenthal.
• Good-to-know: Cable car return tickets run roughly €15–18. The Fichtelbergbahn round-trip is about €20–24. Cross the border freely on foot; in Czechia you’ll use CZK, though many places near the border take cards.

Day 1: Arrival, Markt Stroll, and Sunset

Morning: Travel to Oberwiesenthal. If you’re coming by rail, aim for the scenic leg on the Fichtelbergbahn from Cranzahl—steam, whistles, and forested valleys—bookable via connections found on Omio (trains in Europe).

Afternoon: Check in and shake off the journey with a wander around the Markt and the Lutheran church. Drop into a local bakery-café for coffee and a slice of classic Sächsische Eierschecke (a custard-topped cake) to set the tone for the week.

Evening: Ride the cable car up for golden-hour views, then an easy 15-minute walk to the Fichtelberghaus summit restaurant for dinner—think hearty potato soup, schnitzel, and panoramic windows. After, stroll to the summit cross for sunset and take the last car down.

Day 2: Summit Trails, Border Ridge, and Mountain Hut Fare

Morning: Fuel up with a simple apartment breakfast or hotel buffet, then ascend Fichtelberg—either by foot (60–90 minutes from town via signed trails) or the cable car. From the top, follow the ridge path toward the Czech border, with long views to the Klínovec massif.

Afternoon: Loop back to the summit and settle in at the Fichtelberghaus for a budget-friendly lunch: daily soup, sausages with sauerkraut, or cheese dumplings. If you prefer something quicker, grab a bratwurst or fries at the valley-station kiosks and watch mountain bikers roll by.

Evening: For a relaxed sit-down, book a table at Weissflog’s Restaurant (at Jens Weißflog Appartementhotel) just outside the center—known for regional game and seasonal plates; ask for a window seat if available. Nightcap: a local lager back in town.

• Seasonal swap (winter): Spend the day skiing the InterSkiregion Fichtelberg–Klínovec. Day passes are typically €45–€60; warm up with goulash soup at a slope-side hut.

Day 3: Steam Train to Annaberg-Buchholz (History, Churches, Folk Art)

Morning: Board the Fichtelbergbahn from Oberwiesenthal to Cranzahl (about 1 hour). Continue by regional train or bus to Annaberg-Buchholz—the handsome Ore Mountains capital. Visit the soaring St. Anne’s Church and the Frohnauer Hammer, a historic hammer mill that tells the story of mining-era craft.

Afternoon: Lunch near Frohnauer Hammer at the traditional guestroom “Zum Hammer” with Saxon classics (try roast pork with red cabbage or potato dumplings). If time allows, pop into the Manufaktur der Träume, a museum showcasing Erzgebirge woodcarving and Christmas folk art.

Evening: Return to Oberwiesenthal before dusk. Keep dinner low-key: grab kebabs, pizza, or a simple plate at a town bistro, or self-cater in your apartment with regional cheeses and bread from a supermarket—an easy way to respect the budget.

Day 4: Boží Dar Peat Bog Boardwalk and Spa Detour

Morning: Cross into Czechia by bus or on foot/short taxi to Boží Dar (15–20 minutes). Walk the Božídarské rašeliniště peat-bog nature trail, a wooden boardwalk loop across protected moorland bursting with bog cotton and bilberries in summer. Entry is free; carry water and a wind layer.

Afternoon: Option 1: Continue to Jáchymov for a couple of hours at a public spa pool (budget €15–25; bring flip-flops). Option 2: Ride or e-bike rental back toward Oberwiesenthal via forest tracks, stopping for a meadow picnic.

Evening: Back in town, celebrate with a casual dinner. If you didn’t get to Weissflog’s earlier, tonight’s the night; otherwise, head again to the summit-side Fichtelberghaus for something different from their menu and a night view over twinkling villages.

• Seasonal swap (winter): Trade the boardwalk for a cross-country ski loop from Boží Dar; trails are well-groomed and rentals are available in town.

Day 5: Summer Toboggan, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Ride the Sommerrodelbahn (summer toboggan) near the valley station for a couple of fun, inexpensive runs—great value and kid-friendly. Coffee break back in the center with a sweet pastry; pick up last-minute Erzgebirge souvenirs like a small Schwibbogen or Räuchermann.

Afternoon: Depart after lunch. If you’re heading to Dresden, Chemnitz, or Prague, compare connections on Omio trains and Omio buses. Flying home? Check options on Omio flights; allow time for the scenic steam run back down to Cranzahl if it fits your schedule.

Evening: If you have one more night, make it a simple feast at home: local smoked sausage, pickles, mustard, and crusty bread—budget-friendly and very Saxon.

• Money-saving tips: Base yourself in an apartment from VRBO to cook breakfasts; use regional day tickets on trains/buses; pack a thermos and snacks for the ridge.
• Good eats to target: Potato soup with marjoram, Soljanka (a beloved GDR-era soup), schnitzel with cranberry, Quarkkeulchen (sweet curd pancakes), and a Freiberger or Wernesgrüner beer.
• Backup plans: If the cable car has maintenance, hike up Fichtelberg via the signed trails or catch a local bus to the upper parking area and walk the last scenic stretch.

With five days in Oberwiesenthal, you’ll have climbed Fichtelberg, ridden a storybook steam railway, and breathed the resin-scented air of the Ore Mountains. The mix of borderland culture, budget-friendly mountain food, and grand views makes this a trip you’ll remember long after your boots are back by the door.