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Spa and healing forest at Brunnenberg Bad Elster

Welcome to the 1st Saxon Spa and Healing Forest at
Brunnenberg in Bad Elster 

Our forest at Brunnenberg is the first certified "recreational, spa, and healing forest" in Saxony – and also the first state-owned forest area in Germany to receive this distinction. This award was granted by PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes) and recognizes the forest's special characteristics: a healthy, biodiverse ecosystem, well-maintained paths, a tranquil, undisturbed atmosphere, and targeted health and wellness programs.


Scientific studies prove that spending time in the forest has a measurably positive effect on body and mind. In Bad Elster, the spa and healing forest complements classic natural remedies such as peat, mineral spring water, and brine – a modern preventative care program in which nature plays a central role. 


We invite you to consciously experience the beneficial power of the forest – during a spa treatment, for relaxation or simply for a moment of peace. 

Relaxation in the forest

Since 1848, forest management on Brunnenberg has been specifically focused on the health-promoting and therapeutic effects of the forest. Mixed forests of deciduous and coniferous trees, carefully laid-out spa trails, and sheltered retreats create ideal conditions for recreation and regeneration. 

Today, these positive effects are made even more tangible through modern approaches such as forest bathing or yoga in the forest. More and more people are seeking respite from stress, exhaustion, and the demands of everyday life in these settings. 

At Brunnenberg, this beneficial effect can be felt everywhere – along the paths, between the rows of trees, in the deliberately designed sightlines and at the quiet shelters. 

Even just 20 to 30 minutes in the forest has been proven to lower cortisol levels – the body's most important stress hormone. Blood pressure drops, the heartbeat slows, and the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for rest and regeneration, is activated. Regular visits to the forest also strengthen the immune system, improve concentration, and can have a positive effect on depressive moods. 

Health-promoting nature in Bad Elster

The certification as a recreational, spa, and healing forest makes Bad Elster a special place for health and regeneration. It underlines the high quality of the natural environment and simultaneously strengthens the attractiveness of the spa town for guests seeking relaxation and renewed energy. 

Together with the Saxon State Forest Service, the Bad Elster city administration, and other partners, the forest area is continuously maintained and further developed. The goal is to permanently preserve this valuable habitat as a place of peace, health, and inspiration for locals, visitors, and future generations. 

Because only a healthy forest can exert its healing effects. 
We therefore ask for your support: 

  • Please stay on the designated paths.  
  • Take your rubbish with you and leave nature clean.  
  • Refrain from picking plants or disturbing animals.  
  • Please keep dogs on a leash.  
  • Speak softly – silence is an important part of relaxation.  

Visit the spa and healing forest at Brunnenberg and experience the beneficial power of nature – a place of peace, deceleration and new energy. 

Terrain cure trails at Brunnenberg 

Brunnenberg in Bad Elster boasts a unique system of therapeutic trails, originally laid out at the end of the 19th century. The trails offer varying gradients, allowing for individually tailored levels of exertion – even for those who are less physically fit or have health limitations. They lead through diverse natural landscapes, past historic shelters, and to charming viewpoints. Benches along the way invite visitors to linger and make experiencing nature an important part of the relaxation experience. Terrain therapy has always been an integral part of spa treatments in Bad Elster. It combines exercise with relaxation in nature and supports self-directed training of one's own physical capacity. 

Mindfulness path

Near the Nature Theater, a mindfulness trail begins, offering you a conscious connection to the forest – independently and at your own pace. At several stations, QR codes provide access to audio instructions with suggestions for sensory experiences such as walking, smelling, breathing, feeling, hearing, and seeing. The exercises focus on the senses and invite you to mindfully perceive the moment and integrate this experience into your daily life. The trail can be followed at your own pace. Please allow approximately 1,5 hours and include a longer uphill section. The trail ends on the other side of the Nature Theater. From there, you can return to the starting point via the "Magpie World" playground and the "Forest Spring."