On the charcoal burner's nature trail around Sosa

fr de

The circular hike leads along the Köhlerweg around Sosa and offers magnificent views of the charcoal burners' village.

To this day, one of the oldest craft techniques known to mankind can be experienced first-hand in Sosa. The circular hike on the Köhlerweg around Sosa leads past historic charcoal kilns and offers magnificent panoramic views of the idyllically situated charcoal burner's village. Along the way, you can watch the last commercial charcoal burner in the Ore Mountains at work in his sooty craft. Near the large car park at the dam is the former quarry for the quarry stones used in the dam wall of the Sosa dam, built between 1949 and 1952, which later also housed a charcoal kiln and where a show charcoal kiln is currently being built.

Another impressive sight is the dam wall of the Sosa dam, from where there is an impressive view over the water to the Auersberg or deep into the wild and romantic rocky valley of the Höllengrund.

Details

n°87199320
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.73 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,001 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 994 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,411 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,883 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Panoramic display board on Köhlerweg
Traditional charcoal production in the Gläser charcoal kiln
On the Köhlerweg trail around Sosa
On the Köhlerweg trail around Sosa

Description of the walk

Start and finish: The trail starts at the car park at the Sosa dam and is clearly marked throughout.

Parking: Sosa dam car park

(S/E) The starting point is the large car park at the Sosa dam. From here, the tour follows the signs for the charcoal burner's nature trail towards the village and initially leads across meadows.

(1) It then turns right and runs above the village as a natural path along the slope ditch. As on the entire trail, open passages alternate with shady forest sections. Interesting information boards also enhance the tour. Soon the path meets the Obstbaumstieg and shortly afterwards reaches an idyllically situated pond in the forest.

(2) The route continues to the next stop, the former "Klug-Köhlerei" charcoal kiln, which has been vividly recreated with several objects. The route climbs on paved forest paths, turns left and passes a few houses and around the Sonnenberg hill.

(3) The route climbs steadily at first and then levels out. Finally, after a clearing, the forest opens up to reveal a breathtaking view over Sosa and far beyond.

(4) The tour leads along the Kirchsteig to the still active Gläser charcoal kiln.

(5) Past this, the path dives back into the forest and leads downhill, framed again and again by impressive rocks. In the valley, the route crosses a clearing and then a stream.

(6) Here, a Kneipp basin and other rock formations invite you to take a short break.

(7) The tour then continues on and alongside roads – first Bockauer Straße, then Hauptstraße and finally Fröhlichweg – through the village, passing places to stop for refreshments, and climbs again next to the Frölich Stolln.

(8) Across scenic meadows with sweeping views, the route finally leads through a small ravine back onto asphalt and back to the car park at the dam (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,159 ft - Sosa Dam car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.3 - alt. 2,136 ft - Hiking trail at Hanggraben
  3. 2 : mi 1.89 - alt. 2,211 ft - Former "Klug charcoal kiln"
  4. 3 : mi 3.42 - alt. 2,359 ft - Sonnenberg
  5. 4 : mi 3.7 - alt. 2,375 ft - Church path
  6. 5 : mi 4.5 - alt. 2,270 ft - Charcoal kiln Glasses
  7. 6 : mi 5.55 - alt. 2,087 ft - Kneipp basin
  8. 7 : mi 6.03 - alt. 1,886 ft - Bockauer Street
  9. 8 : mi 6.95 - alt. 2,126 ft - Frölich Stolln
  10. S/E : mi 7.74 - alt. 2,159 ft - Sosa Dam car park

Notes

Take care when crossing the Sosa-Schwarzenberg road in the area of the charcoal kiln.

Equipment

Sturdy, stable footwear. Parts of the circular trail are like paths.

Author's tip

From the circular trail, you can also reach the village with its refreshment facilities at various points.

Places to stop for refreshments:

Public transport

Bus routes
By bus from Aue or Eibenstock
355 Eibenstock – Sosa (Hillering)
366 Aue – Sosa (Hillering)
www.rve.de

How to get there

In the centre of Sosa (at the church), turn off towards the car park at the dam.

Park

Car park at the Sosa dam

Coordinates

  • DD 50.490261, 12.651346
  • GMS 50°29'24.9"N 12°39'04.8"E
  • UTM 33U 333405 5595777
  • w3w ///lehnt.auszubilden.ausgemalt

Worth a visit

Other walks in the area

Walking Gerstenberg Circular Trail – A taste of Canada in the Ore Mountains

Tourist office
Gerstenberg Rundweg - Kanadagefühl im Erzgebirge
↔3.04 mi ↗+184 ft ↘-190 ft ◔1h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Eibenstock (Erzgebirgskreis)
Forest idyll, views of the water and World Heritage Site This easy circular walk starts at the car park near the Eibenstock Dam, Saxony’s largest drinking water reservoir. A wide forest path leads pleasantly around the Gerstenberg. At the first junction, keep left and follow the main path through dense coniferous woods. Views of the dam open up time and again, whilst information boards provide interesting facts about nature and the region. About halfway along the route, it’s worth taking a detour to the dam wall. The well-maintained path leads to impressive views, and you can also top up your drinking water for free here. Back on the route, a rest area with a view of the water invites you to linger. The peaceful surroundings are reminiscent of Nordic landscapes. Further along, traces of historic tin mining come into view. The tour ends at the starting point, combining nature, knowledge and history.

Walking Forest paths and views of the water in Carlsfeld

Tourist office
Waldpfade und Wasserblicke in Carlsfeld
↔3.67 mi ↗+377 ft ↘-374 ft ◔2h 00 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Eibenstock (Erzgebirgskreis)
Experience the ridge trail, forest paths and reservoir panorama Weitersglashütte lies in the tranquil forests of the western Ore Mountains – the starting point for this nature-filled circular walk. From the turning loop, the path leads through the village to the Erzgebirge-Vogtland ridge trail, which you follow to the left. Initially, the route runs idyllically along the edge of the forest, later descending through dense woodland on narrow, root-covered paths. Small bridges cross babbling brooks before a rest area with a rustic log cabin invites you to take a break. The path then climbs gently. With every step, views of meadows and hills open up until Carlsfeld and its church come into view. A viewpoint invites you to stop for a moment. After crossing a ski slope, the route leads to the Carlsfeld dam. The tranquil expanse of water and the dam wall offer impressive views. The route leads back to the starting point via forest paths.

Walking Henneberg/Oberjugel circular hiking trail

Tourist office
Rundwanderweg "Henneberg/Oberjugel"
↔5.18 mi ↗+607 ft ↘-607 ft ◔2h 55 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Johanngeorgenstadt (Erzgebirgskreis)
A hike through the Ore Mountains forest and deep silence to the moor and nature reserve "Kleiner Kranichsee". The Henneberg/Oberjugel circular trail begins in Johanngeorgenstadt with its Christmas pyramid, exile procession and the largest free-standing Schwibbogen. Passing the Pferdegöpel, a technical monument to mining, the trail leads into the forest, while the natural swimming pool shimmers through the trees on the right. Along the Henneberg wing, the trail leads deep into the quiet Ore Mountain forest to the Kleiner Kranichsee high moor, one of the best-preserved moors in the low mountain range. A platform offers impressive views of the sensitive moor landscape. New to the route is a nature trail with rare moorland plants. The trail continues to the edge of the Oberjugel forest with sweeping views. It descends via the old bobsleigh run to the romantic Lehmer Grund valley and finally back to the starting point.

Walking "Steinbachtal" circular hiking trail

Tourist office
Rundwanderweg "Steinbachtal"
↔7.00 mi ↗+906 ft ↘-925 ft ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Johanngeorgenstadt (Erzgebirgskreis)
Circular walk with many attractive viewpoints through the idyllic, rocky Steinbach Valley in the town of Schwibbogen: Johanngeorgenstadt. The circular hike through the Steinbach Valley begins with an impressive ensemble consisting of a procession of exiles, a large pyramid and the world's largest free-standing Schwibbogen. After a short section through the village, the trail leads downhill into nature, past the edge of the forest and across a meadow with beautiful views of Rabenberg, Fichtelberg and Plattenberg. Soon the path plunges into the forest and reaches the idyllic Steinbach Valley, where it is accompanied by the splashing of the stream. Then the imposing Teufelssteine (Devil's Stones) rise up before the path climbs, crosses a road and leads back into dense forest. At the edge of the village, wide views open up. The way back passes the natural swimming pool and the horse-drawn galley, a gem of technical history and a fitting end to the tour.

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.

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 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 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.

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.