The town lies in a side valley of the Mandau between two approx. 400 meter high elevations and is located around three kilometers west of Zittau. Connected to an expansive network of hiking trails, Bertsdorf-Hörnitz is a great starting point for exciting hikes throughout the Zittauer Gebirge park. Stately farmhouses on the edges of the valley and a ´limited number of houses in the valley floor make this one of the Oberlausitz' cultural highlights.

The community has been distinguished numerous times over the years, for example with a gold medal in the competition 'Entente Florale Europa 2005' and a gold medal in the federal competition 2004. Bertsdorf-Hörnitz was the 'most beautiful town in Saxony 2003' and was also awarded the European Rural Renewal Prize 2005.

Local inhabitants are especially proud of 'their' boy René Sommerfeldt, who was vice champion in the 50 kilometer cross-country race in Lahti, 2001.