Cycling the Obstland Route ♥ Leipzig Region

"Obstland" Cycle Route

On the Fruit-Growing Trail

The Obstland cycle route lies between the villages of Dürrweitzschen, Mügeln and Leisnig. The route runs along existing cycle paths as well as connecting roads with very low volumes of traffic.

The main route is 58 km long in total and runs through the largest contiguous fruit-growing area in the Free State of Saxony. The circular route connects the long-distance Mulde Bike Trail and a regional main cycle route called the Döllnitztal Cycle Route. It comprises several sections and can therefore be covered in one big tour or several smaller ones. Each of the three smaller sections is devoted to a special topic concerning the Obstland. All routes are fully signposted.

The Obstland cycle route lies between the villages of Dürrweitzschen, Mügeln and Leisnig. The route runs along existing cycle paths as well as connecting roads with very low volumes of traffic.

The main route is 58 km long in total and runs through the largest contiguous fruit-growing area in the Free State of Saxony. The circular route connects the long-distance Mulde Bike Trail and a regional main cycle route called the Döllnitztal Cycle Route. It comprises several sections and can therefore be covered in one big tour or several smaller ones. Each of the three smaller sections is devoted to a special topic concerning the Obstland. All routes are fully signposted.

"Exploring the Obstland by Bicycle"

Brochure about the Obstland Route

Download now!

Overview of the routes

MapToggle map

58,13 km

Things to see in the Obstland

Historical Background of the Obstland

Middle Ages
The origins of fruit-growing in the region go back to the Middle Ages. Fruit, vegetables, spices and medicinal plants have been cultivated In monastery gardens since the 12th/13th century.
Middle Ages
The origins of fruit-growing in the region go back to the Middle Ages. Fruit, vegetables, spices and medicinal plants have been cultivated In monastery gardens since the 12th/13th century.
16th Century
After the Mariental Convent in Sornzig was secularised in the wake of the Protestant Reformation in the mid-16th century, the estate continued to be farmed as an agricultural monastery. From that time on, the Electors of Saxony promoted Saxon fruit-growing by state decree.
16th Century
After the Mariental Convent in Sornzig was secularised in the wake of the Protestant Reformation in the mid-16th century, the estate continued to be farmed as an agricultural monastery. From that time on, the Electors of Saxony promoted Saxon fruit-growing by state decree.
19th Century
In 1892, Dr. Ludolf Colditz purchased the Sornzig property and founded the tradition of modern fruit-growing plantations.
19th Century
In 1892, Dr. Ludolf Colditz purchased the Sornzig property and founded the tradition of modern fruit-growing plantations.
20th Century
By 1900 there were already 8340 fruit trees in Sornzig. A comprehensive nursery emerged that began to draw attention with newly cultivated varieties of fruit trees. Fruit trees and fruit from Sornzig gained in popularity and prestige throughout Germany.
After the Second World War, fruit-growing in Sornzig and the neighbouring areas continued on a cooperative basis. In 1966, the cooperatives in Ablass, Dürrweitzschen, Leisnig and Sornzig joined together to form the "Sachsenobst" (Saxon Fruit) cooperative association. At the beginning of the 1970s, the "Obstland" established itself as one of the five main fruit-growing areas between the Baltic Sea and the Ore Mountains.
Since 1991, the Obstland Dürrweitzschen AG has been continuing the more than 800-year old tradition of fruit-growing in the region on around 1,500 ha (4,000 acres) of fruit plantations. The organisation markets its products as fresh fruit and juices under the brand "Sachsenobst" (Saxon Fruit), with a successful advertising campaign using the slogan "Just how nature should taste".
20th Century
By 1900 there were already 8340 fruit trees in Sornzig. A comprehensive nursery emerged that began to draw attention with newly cultivated varieties of fruit trees. Fruit trees and fruit from Sornzig gained in popularity and prestige throughout Germany.
After the Second World War, fruit-growing in Sornzig and the neighbouring areas continued on a cooperative basis. In 1966, the cooperatives in Ablass, Dürrweitzschen, Leisnig and Sornzig joined together to form the "Sachsenobst" (Saxon Fruit) cooperative association. At the beginning of the 1970s, the "Obstland" established itself as one of the five main fruit-growing areas between the Baltic Sea and the Ore Mountains.
Since 1991, the Obstland Dürrweitzschen AG has been continuing the more than 800-year old tradition of fruit-growing in the region on around 1,500 ha (4,000 acres) of fruit plantations. The organisation markets its products as fresh fruit and juices under the brand "Sachsenobst" (Saxon Fruit), with a successful advertising campaign using the slogan "Just how nature should taste".
Today
You can learn more about the environmentally friendly and natural cultivation methods used by Saxon fruit farmers on their extensive, modern plantations in the Obstland (Fruit Country).
Today
You can learn more about the environmentally friendly and natural cultivation methods used by Saxon fruit farmers on their extensive, modern plantations in the Obstland (Fruit Country).