Hänichen is located on the northern edge of the Aue the white Elster on the old road from Leipzig to Halle. The neighboring towns on the road are Quasnitz in the east and Schkeuditzer district Modelwitz in the west. Hänichen is nine kilometers to the northwest of Leipzig city center. The White Elster runs meandering in the old riverbed and forms an island with the former trench of the Hänicher mill, while further south the New Pup is straightened.