Lausche / Luž Peak

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

This route starts with a history lesson at the Czech-German border. A plaque commemorates the site of a Czech customs house that was raided by as part of a string of border incidents in mid-1938 used as a pretext by the Nazi's for the annexation of the then predominantly German inhabited Sudetenland region of then Czechoslovakia.

From there, a gravel forest road continues south into the now Czech Republic. After a short, steep climb, you'll reach an intersection with several buildings. Turn right onto a forest road and follow signs towards Lausche / Luž Peak. At the one-mile mark, veer to the right.

The forest road begins climbing steeply and eventually becomes a singletrack that climbs Lausche / Luž Peak, which is the highest point (793 m; 2600 ft) in the Zittau Mountains on the German-Czech border. There are a number of tight switchbacks and a few stairs, so you'll have to walk in places to the peak. The peak does have a pretty good view north into Germany at a clearing where there is an old fortification.

The route continues down the hill into Germany, becoming a forest road again and then it roughly follows the border.