Isenburg is the ruin of a medieval hilltop castle perched high above the Zwickauer Mulde valley in the Western Ore Mountains (Westerzgebirge) of Saxony. It's a rewarding stop for hikers who enjoy combining a scenic walk with a touch of history and legend.

The castle once stood on a rocky spur where the Wildbach stream meets the Zwickauer Mulde. Today only the foundations of the ring wall and a round keep remain, set within wooded hills overlooking the river. The atmosphere is quiet and evocative rather than grand — a place best appreciated for its views and forest surroundings, especially beautiful in autumn and spring.

How to get there

• From Hartenstein train station — about a 30-minute walk, easy to moderate difficulty
• Path through Wildbach past the village church — the more comfortable route, about 700 m to the ruins
• Alternative: the Raubrittersteig, a narrow, romantic path along the steep riverbank of the Mulde, considered one of the most beautiful trails in the Muldental valley

Practical information

• Burg Stein castle is only about 200 m from Isenburg
• The Prinzenhöhle cave lies on the opposite riverbank
• About one kilometre further upstream towards Bad Schlema is a radium spring
• The wall foundations and keep remains were restored in 1993

Local legends tell of a mysterious White Lady and an old woman who once lived hidden within the ruins — stories still shared with visitors who make the climb up.