On the balcony of the Ore Mountains – panoramic tour of the Spiegelwald

fr de

Forest loop with sweeping views and a viewing platform

This scenic circular walk starts at the Spiegelwaldbaude with the striking König-Albert-Turm, the highest point of the route.

The path initially leads through typical spruce forests to the edge of the woods, offering beautiful views of Grünhain.

The route then continues at a leisurely pace around the Spiegelwald. The alternation between shady woodland and open sections constantly offers new perspectives on the landscape.

A highlight is the Aussichtspilz, also known as the ‘Balcony of the Ore Mountains’. Here, a rest area with an impressive panorama invites you to take a break. The route then follows a former railway embankment before a short climb leads back towards the Spiegelwaldbaude.

To finish, it’s well worth the climb up to the observation tower for a 360-degree view of the Ore Mountains.

Details

n°97774157
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.75 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 285 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 276 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,411 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,152 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

King Albert Tower in the Spiegelwald
Pilz rest area
Panoramic views from the balcony of the Ore Mountains
Former railway embankment

Description of the walk

Start: The walk begins at the Spiegelwaldbaude.

(S/E) From the starting point, walkers head across the playground into the woods, so that the hut is on the right. Stay on the direct path to the edge of the woods.

(1) There, follow the path to the left along the edge of the forest and then briefly into the forest.

(2) Turn right at the road and take the path to the left at the next junction. Here you walk downhill to the viewing platform.

(3) Continue down the path to the old railway embankment.

(4) Turn left there. After a while, the old railway embankment meets the main road (August-Bebel-Straße).

(5) Keep left there and immediately turn left again into the countryside. The path leads uphill along the edge of the forest and eventually back to the spot where you emerged from the forest at the start.

(1) Keep left and return along the familiar path to the starting point at the Spiegelwaldbaude. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,402 ft - Spiegelwaldbaude
  2. 1 : mi 0.19 - alt. 2,379 ft - Follow the edge of the forest to the left
  3. 2 : mi 0.61 - alt. 2,352 ft - Turn right at the road, then left at the next junction
  4. 3 : mi 0.81 - alt. 2,313 ft - Viewpoint mushroom
  5. 4 : mi 1.12 - alt. 2,152 ft - At the railway embankment, turn left
  6. 5 : mi 1.98 - alt. 2,195 ft - Main road (August-Bebel-Straße), turn left twice
  7. S/E : mi 2.75 - alt. 2,402 ft - Spiegelwaldbaude

Notes

How to get there

Bus

  • Grünhain, turning loop
  • Beierfeld, turning loop

Directions

Take the B101 to Schwarzenberg or Lauter-Bernsbach (or the B169 to Aue), then head towards Grünhain and follow the signs for Spiegelwald / König-Albert-Turm.

Parking

  • Free parking spaces available at the Spiegelwaldbaude; one-sided parking is also permitted on the dirt tracks along the access road.
  • Further parking spaces along Auer Str. in Grünhain (e.g. at the sports ground)

Coordinates

  • DD 50.576257, 12.791816
  • GMS 50°34'34.5"N 12°47'30.5"E
  • UTM 33U 343652 5605032
  • w3w ///night.things.hunt

Refreshments

https://www.spiegelwaldbaude.de/index.html

Worth a visit

Author’s tip

Be sure to allow plenty of time at the viewing mushroom and visit the tower and its small museum at the end of the tour.

Spiegelwald

Other walks in the area

Walking Distant views guaranteed – on EB and E3 between Lauter and Schwarzenberg

Tourist office
Fernblicke garantiert - auf EB und E3 zwischen Lauter und Schwarzenberg
↔13.08 mi ↗+1,936 ft ↘-1,926 ft ◔7h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lauter-Bernsbach (Erzgebirgskreis)
This challenging hike follows the E3 and EB trails and offers beautiful views of the low mountain range landscape. This varied hike combines sweeping views, quiet forest paths and culture in the Ore Mountains. It starts in Lauter near the outdoor swimming pool on the E3 long-distance hiking trail toDanelchristelgut,whereyou takethe turnoff to the Sachsenstein viewpoint with its impressive panorama .Passing Conradswiese and the Morgenleithe mountain restaurant, a long section through the dense Ore Mountains forestfollows .Later, the route leads via Antonsthal with its historic silver wash towards Schwarzenberg. In addition to further fascinating views, a detour to the famous forest stageawaits. The route then takes you back to the starting pointvia the Griesetal valley and the nine-trunk beech tree.

Walking On the E3 to Sachsenstein near Lauter

Tourist office
Auf dem E3 zum Sachsenstein bei Lauter
↔6.25 mi ↗+817 ft ↘-807 ft ◔3h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lauter-Bernsbach (Erzgebirgskreis)
This scenic circular walk follows the E3 for the most part and starts in Lauter near the outdoor swimming pool. The path leads through an allotment garden into the idyllic Griesetal valley, accompanied by the babbling of a stream. Passing a former ski jump and pastures, the route enters the forest and climbs steadily uphill. At the edge of the forest, it is worth making a short detour to the former nine-trunk beech tree. The path then winds through woodland and clearings before climbing once more. A pond marks the turn-off to the Conradswiese forest school. Shortly afterwards, the route leads to the Sachsenstein viewpoint, offering sweeping views across the Ore Mountains. Passing through the Danelchristelgut estate, where refreshments are available, the route descends back to Lauter with beautiful views. The route is not marked throughout, so we recommend using the digital route.

Walking Zwönitz Panorama Trail

Tourist office
Zwönitzer Panoramaweg
↔11.27 mi ↗+1,165 ft ↘-1,175 ft ◔6h 10 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Zwönitz (Erzgebirgskreis)
The Zwönitz Panorama Trail leads along scenic paths around the mountain town of Zwönitz, combining nature experiences with little cultural discoveries. From the market square, the route passes Blasius Church to the old Stollberg Railway, accompanied by sweeping views over Zwönitz and the Geyerschen Wald. Via Niederzwönitz, the tour leads up to the Galgenspitze and on to the Hammerteich with its waterfall. Along the way, walkers encounter legendary sites such as the ‘Headless Horseman’, enjoy views stretching as far as the Zwickau region, and reach the ‘Zwönitzblick’ viewing tower via Kühnhaide. A particular highlight is the Fuchsbrunn Bridge, an impressive relic of the former railway line to Scheibenberg, before the trail leads back to Zwönitz, passing traces of the town’s mining history.

Walking Old town charm and European traces in Schwarzenberg

Tourist office
Altstadtzauber und europäische Spuren in Schwarzenberg
↔8.61 mi ↗+1,414 ft ↘-1,391 ft ◔5h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Schwarzenberg/Erzgebirge (Erzgebirgskreis)
Old town idyll, history and panoramic views around Schwarzenberg The tour starts at the historic Erlahammer manor, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ore Mountains/Krušnohoří Mining Region. A small exhibition introduces visitors to the region's eventful history.From here, the route continues uphill along the Silberberg hiking trail through meadows, fields and woods, with ever-widening views. In Pöhla, the ski jump dominates the townscape and an idyllic pond invites you to take a break.Then you continue along the European long-distance hiking trail E3 towards Schwarzenberg, accompanied by magnificent panoramic views. In Schwarzenberg, the old town with its castle invites you to explore at length before finally returning to the manor house along the Schwarzwasser river.

Walking Panoramic views & a journey through time – hike from Erlahammer to Pöhla

Tourist office
Weitblick & Zeitreise – Wanderung vom Erlahammer nach Pöhla
↔4.93 mi ↗+873 ft ↘-863 ft ◔3h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Schwarzenberg/Erzgebirge (Erzgebirgskreis)
UNESCO World Heritage Site, sweeping views and Ore Mountains charm on the Silberberg hiking trail and the E3. The tour begins at Herrenhof Erlahammer, an impressive ensemble of half-timbered buildings and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ore Mountains/Krušnohoří Mining Region. A small exhibition on regional history sets the mood for the hike.The trail then leads uphill across meadows, fields and through shady forests – always accompanied by beautiful views of the valley and the Ore Mountains. In Pöhla, it is worth stopping at the ski jump and the idyllic pond with rest areas.From here, the route follows the E3 long-distance hiking trail through the village and uphill on a quiet road.It then returns to Herrenhof through open countryside and forest.

Walking Markersbach Lower Reservoir Circular Walk – Pure Nature

Tourist office
Rundweg Unterbecken Markersbach - Natur Pur
↔3.68 mi ↗+404 ft ↘-377 ft ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Raschau-Markersbach (Erzgebirgskreis)
Discover the lower reservoir of the Markersbach pumped-storage power station, nestled between hydroelectric power and a forest idyll. The walk starts at the lower reservoir of the Markersbach pumped-storage power station. Information boards on the dam explain the function of Germany’s second-largest pumped-storage power station, which plays an important role in storing renewable energy. As you cross the dam, the striking viaduct catches the eye. Deutsche Bahn is currently testing autonomous driving on this historic railway line. The route then leads along well-maintained paths through varied woodland, circling the lower reservoir once. Beautiful views of the water and landscape open up time and again. Rest areas along the route invite you to linger. A particular highlight is the “Mühlchen” with its small water wheels, seating and play facilities. A few metres further on, a large water wheel, a shelter and a Kneipp facility await. From there, the route leads back to the car park.

Walking Bad Schlema's mining and remediation nature trail Terrainkurweg 7

Tourist office
Bad Schlemas Bergbau- und Sanierungslehrpfad Terrainkurweg 7
↔5.95 mi ↗+719 ft ↘-722 ft ◔3h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Aue-Bad Schlema (Erzgebirgskreis)
Everything comes from the mine! On the mining and remediation nature trail, visitors experience the close connection between people and mining. Nature lovers and history buffs alike will find something to enjoy here.

Walking "The panoramic trail through Breitenbrunn"

Tourist office
↔8.34 mi ↗+1,070 ft ↘-1,053 ft ◔4h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Breitenbrunn/Erzgebirge (Erzgebirgskreis)
Around the idyllic village, the route takes you along scenic paths and through the deep green forests of the Ore Mountains. The scenic hike starts in Breitenbrunn at the car park by the adventure playground and leads uphill to the Pasterle rock, where you can enjoy impressive views. It then continues into the deep green Ore Mountains forest and past the Rabenberg before opening up again to a sweeping view of the Breitenbrunn valley – very much in keeping with the spirit of the "Panorama Trail". The trail leads downhill to Dorfstraße, crosses it and climbs again through a small settlement. Passing the dual university, the St. Christoph visitor mine and the Hexenhäusel museum, the trail continues uphill with beautiful views back into the valley. The route reaches the edge of the forest via scenic heights before the descent begins via the Steinweg. At Riedelfels, panoramic loungers invite you to take a final break. The return route finally leads past the church back to the starting point.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.