Rising quietly to the east of the town of Löbau, the Schafberg is a forested peak of 450.5 m that packs a surprising amount of history and character into a modest elevation. It's a great choice for anyone wanting an easy, atmospheric walk through the volcanic hill country of Upper Lusatia.

Together with the neighboring Löbauer Berg, the Schafberg forms part of a volcanic massif typical of this rolling, wooded region of eastern Saxony. The summit is covered in mixed montane forest of pedunculate oak, hornbeam and small-leaved lime, making it a pleasant destination in every season — fresh green canopy in spring, golden foliage in autumn, and a hushed stillness in winter snow. Along the way, hikers pass the remains of a roughly 3,000-year-old Bronze Age ring wall and the mysterious rock formation known as the Geldkeller, once used for observing the sun and now the subject of local legends.

How to reach the summit

• Löbau — forest trail, approx. 1-1.5 hours, easy difficulty
• Alternative approaches possible via forest tracks from neighboring villages

Practical information

• A 160-metre concrete transmission tower (Sender Schafberg), built in 1988, crowns the summit and serves as a helpful landmark visible from a distance
• During WWII, an anti-aircraft observation tower stood at the summit

Until 1850 the Schafberg served as grazing land for sheep and cattle, which is how it got its name — today you're more likely to hear birdsong than bleating as you wander through this peaceful Upper Lusatian forest.