Vordere Aue is a small but charming nature reserve in the Ore Mountains of Saxony, where a stream of the same name winds through a picturesque valley. It's a place for those seeking peace away from the crowds - an intimate corner of nature where time seems to slow down.

The landscape features wet meadows, patches of forest and a meandering brook that is one of the source streams of the Aubach. The atmosphere shifts with the seasons - in spring the valley comes alive with vegetation typical of moist habitats, in summer it offers shade and coolness, and in autumn it delights with colour. This is a place better suited to a relaxed walk and nature observation than a demanding hike.

How to get there

• Dittersdorf (a district of Lößnitz) — easy route, a stroll without much effort
• Accessible via the B169 federal road, which runs along the western edge of the area

Practical information

• Protected since 1991, covering an area of 46.4 hectares
• Part of the larger Natura 2000 site Kuttenbach, Moosheide und Vordere Aue
• The neighbouring Kuttenbach reserve (65 hectares) lies just to the south

It's a nice example of how a small watercourse can create a valuable natural habitat that has been legally protected for more than three decades.