Matschenberg
Location
Cunewalde, Saxony, Germany
Current Local Time
Track Info
Matschenberg Offroad Arena - Cunewalde, Germany
Short, fast and steep permanent autocross circuit in Saxony - famous for its loose surface, uphill start and high-speed jump
When was the track built?
Construction of Matschenberg began in 1977, when the area was still part of East Germany. Building a permanent motorsport venue was difficult at the time, but after roughly two years of work the circuit was ready for competition in 1979.
The venue was upgraded significantly after German reunification, with improved barriers, fencing and race-control facilities. It gained international FIA approval in the late 1990s and hosted its first European Autocross Championship round in 1999.
When was its first race?
Matschenberg's first autocross meeting took place in 1979, with races for the East German championship and international participation from other Eastern European countries.
The next major milestone came in 1999, when Matschenberg joined the FIA European Autocross Championship. It has since become one of Germany's best-known international autocross venues.
What's the circuit like?
- Short but extremely fast: The lap is only 820 metres long, yet cars can approach 180 km/h. That combination makes everything happen very quickly.
- Steep uphill start: Drivers launch from an asphalt starting grid before attacking a climb with a gradient of around 38%.
- Big jump: Near the top of the opening climb is one of Matschenberg's signature features, where the fastest buggies can become airborne before braking for the next corner.
- Constantly changing grip: Gravel, clay and sand can become dusty when dry and slippery when wet, so drivers must adapt throughout a race weekend.
Records and competition
- Overall track record: 29.318 - Petr Nikodem in a Super Buggy.
- Super Buggy: The fastest category at Matschenberg, using powerful purpose-built four-wheel-drive buggies.
- Buggy 1600: Lightweight racing buggies with smaller engines, producing close and highly competitive racing.
- Junior Buggy: A development category that gives younger drivers experience in international off-road competition.
- Cross Car: Small, agile single-seat machines that are especially spectacular over Matschenberg's hills and loose surface.
Why go?
Matschenberg offers a very different experience from a normal paved racing circuit. Cars slide through loose dirt, throw up clouds of dust and attack steep elevation changes while racing directly against each other.
The laps are short and the races are compact, so there is little waiting for the next burst of action. The FIA European Championship also brings drivers and specialist off-road machines from across Europe to this small circuit in eastern Germany.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Start and start hill: A good choice for watching the full field launch together before charging up Matschenberg's steep opening climb.
- Jump area: One of the circuit's most spectacular viewing points, with cars becoming light or fully airborne before the following corner.
- Finish-side viewing: Useful for following the downhill part of the lap and watching close battles develop as drivers head back towards the finish.
The compact circuit is not completely visible from a single spectator position, so choosing between the start area and the jump section depends on which part of the action you most want to see.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to Matschenberg Offroad Arena (Cunewalde)
Matschenberg is in rural eastern Saxony between Bautzen and Löbau. Driving is the easiest option, but visitors without a car can travel by train to Bautzen or Löbau and continue to Cunewalde by regional bus.
Best way to get there
For most visitors, driving is the easiest way to reach Matschenberg Offroad Arena. The circuit is in the countryside outside central Cunewalde, so having your own vehicle makes both arrival and the journey home much simpler.
If you are staying in Dresden without a car, travel by train towards Bautzen or Löbau and change to a regional bus for Cunewalde. A taxi or pre-arranged lift is useful for the final journey to the circuit.
Tip: Search for “Matschenberg Offroad Arena” or use Weigsdorfer Berg 11a, 02733 Cunewalde in your navigation app.
Driving & parking
- From Bautzen: Cunewalde is around 14 km away by road, making Bautzen a convenient nearby base.
- From Dresden: expect roughly 75 km of driving to the Cunewalde area.
- Final approach: the circuit is in Weigsdorf-Köblitz near the B96 corridor; follow event signs once you reach Cunewalde.
- Parking: spectator parking is provided for major meetings, but the exact fields and entrances can change.
- Busy weekends: allow extra time on the smaller local roads when the European or German championship is taking place.
Follow marshals and temporary signs near the venue rather than relying only on your navigation app.
Train & public transport
There is no operating railway station in Cunewalde, so visitors travelling by train need to change to a bus.
- Bautzen: trains connect the town with Dresden and Görlitz; continue to Cunewalde on regional bus 510.
- Löbau: another useful rail hub, also served by bus 510 towards Cunewalde.
- Bus 510: runs on the Bautzen–Cunewalde–Löbau corridor and is timed to provide connections with trains at both ends.
- Final journey: arrange a taxi, lift or suitable local connection from Cunewalde to the circuit.
Check the current ZVON timetable before travelling. Weekend and holiday services can be less frequent than weekday buses.
Taxi & private transfers
- From Bautzen: the relatively short distance makes a taxi or private transfer practical.
- From Löbau: another useful option if your train arrives there instead.
- Destination: give the driver “Matschenberg Offroad Arena, Weigsdorfer Berg 11a, Cunewalde”.
- Return journey: pre-book your pickup because taxis are unlikely to be waiting outside a rural circuit after racing.
Dresden airport
- Dresden Airport (DRS): the closest major airport to Cunewalde.
- Easiest option: hire a car and drive directly to the circuit or your accommodation.
- Without a car: travel into Dresden, continue by train to Bautzen or Löbau and then change to bus 510.
- Staying nearby: Bautzen and Löbau offer more accommodation and transport choices than the immediate circuit area.
About Matschenberg
Matschenberg is an FIA-certified autocross venue and is known as one of Europe's faster off-road circuits.
- Length: 820 m.
- Surface: gravel, clay and sand, with an asphalt starting area.
- Direction: counterclockwise.
- Terrain: the circuit includes around 30 m of elevation change and a steep starting hill.
Event-day tips
- Wear suitable shoes: spectator areas are outdoors and can include grass, dirt and uneven ground.
- Expect dust or mud: dry weekends can be dusty, while rain quickly changes conditions around an off-road circuit.
- Arrive early: European Championship weekends begin early and attract large crowds.
- Camping: major FIA events provide camping areas in Cunewalde close to the circuit.
- Check parking: use the spectator information issued for your particular event rather than an older parking map.
Accessibility
If you require accessible parking or assistance at Matschenberg, contact the organiser before travelling. The venue uses natural slopes, grassed viewing areas and temporary event parking, so the easiest route can depend on both the event and weather conditions.
Bus timetables, parking, camping and spectator access arrangements can change. Check the official Matschenberg Offroad Arena information for your specific event shortly before travelling.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around Matschenberg Offroad Arena (Cunewalde, Germany)
Matschenberg Offroad Arena sits in the hills of Upper Lusatia in eastern Saxony, close to Cunewalde and the historic town of Bautzen. This is an autocross circuit rather than a normal paved racetrack: powerful buggies, Cross Cars and touring cars race together on a short loose-surface course with steep climbs, jumps and plenty of dust or mud.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- Umgebindehaus-Park Cunewalde: See miniature versions of Upper Lusatia’s traditional timber-framed houses. It is a simple way for children and international visitors to understand the region’s unusual architecture.
- Saurierpark Kleinwelka: Near Bautzen, this large dinosaur park has more than 200 life-sized prehistoric models plus play and adventure areas.
- Bautzen Reservoir: Spend a warmer afternoon beside the water, with swimming, walking, cycling and seasonal outdoor activities available around the lake.
Culture & rainy-day stops
- Sorbian Museum: Bautzen is an important centre of Sorbian culture. The museum explains the history, language, clothing and traditions of this Slavic minority community.
- Bautzen Old Town: Explore medieval streets, towers and fortifications above the River Spree. The leaning Reichenturm offers excellent views when its observation platform is open.
- Museum Bautzen: A useful indoor option covering the city’s long history, regional archaeology and art.
Eat & drink like a local
- Bautzen mustard: Mustard has been produced in Bautzen for more than 150 years and is strongly associated with the city. Try it with sausages, sandwiches or regional dishes.
- Sorbian food: Bautzen has restaurants where visitors can discover dishes connected with the local Sorbian community and its centuries-old traditions.
- Lusatian fish: Carp, pike and other freshwater fish come from Upper Lusatia’s extensive network of ponds and are particularly common during seasonal fish festivals.
Get outdoors in the Upper Lusatian hills
- Czorneboh: Hike through forest to the 561 m summit and its stone observation tower for wide views across the Upper Lusatian countryside.
- Spree Valley: Paths south of Bautzen follow the river through forest and rocky scenery, providing an easy half-day walk away from the motorsport crowds.
- Bautzen Reservoir: A route around the lake is suitable for walking and cycling, with beaches and recreation areas along the shore.
Easy trips if you’re extending your stay
- Bautzen: Give the city a full day for its medieval skyline, Sorbian culture, museums and restaurants rather than treating it only as your accommodation base.
- Upper Lusatian village route: Drive through Cunewalde and neighbouring communities to see traditional Umgebindehäuser, where timber construction and masonry are combined in a distinctive regional style.
- Dresden: Saxony’s capital is around an hour away by road and adds major museums, baroque architecture and the rebuilt Frauenkirche to a longer motorsport trip.
Good to know on autocross weekends
- Autocross is not rallycross: Matschenberg competition takes place almost entirely on loose surfaces and does not use the asphalt-and-gravel Joker Lap format familiar from rallycross.
- The circuit is extremely short and steep: Drivers climb a 38% start hill before tackling jumps and tight corners, while speeds can still reach around 180 km/h.
- International racing returned in June 2026: Matschenberg hosted a round of the FIA European Autocross and Cross Car Championships on 26 - 28 June.
- More racing is still to come: The German Autocross Championship and ADAC XC Cup are scheduled to visit Matschenberg on 26 - 27 September 2026.
- Dress for the surface: Dry events can be dusty and wet events quickly become muddy, so sturdy footwear and clothes you do not mind getting dirty are sensible choices.
Motorsport schedules, spectator access, camping arrangements, attraction opening hours and outdoor conditions can change - check current information before you travel.