It starts at Zittau and originally ran via Oderwitz and Herrnhut to Löbau.

On 1 January 1871 the line was acquired by the Royal Saxon State Railways.

Until the end of 2001, freight trains still served Obercunnersdorf (scrap trade) and Herrnhut (coal and timber).

At the December 2002 timetable change, passenger services between Ebersbach and Löbau were finally abandoned.

After Herrnhut station the line turns south again and runs over a viaduct over the Petersbach.

Further on, within sight of Kottmar mountain, the line reaches the Landwasser valley and the town of Oderwitz.