On the Zschopautalweg to the crown of the Ore Mountains

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Experience the unspoilt nature and diversity of the landscape along the romantically situated Zschopau Valley.

The starting point for this varied hike is Zschopau railway station, with a view of Wildeck Castle. The town is closely linked to the history of motorcycling: with DKW, it once became the world’s largest motorcycle production site. Museums in the castle and the former factory serve as a reminder of this. Modern art is showcased in the work ‘Fließgleichgewicht’ on the Purple Path.

The trail follows the Zschopau through green riverside landscapes and gardens. In Hennersdorf, a covered wooden bridge is a striking feature, before the route heads uphill through the forest to the Kunnerstein viewpoint, which offers beautiful views of the valley.

A further climb leads to Augustusburg Palace, one of the most significant Renaissance palaces. Museums, restaurants and panoramic views make a visit well worth it. Below lies the old town with St Peter’s Church and further art along the Purple Path.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.71 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,404 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,522 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,637 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 965 ft
  • ⚐ Country: Germany
  • ⚐ City: Zschopau 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 50.743437° / E 13.065902°
  • ⚑
    End: N 50.821093° / E 13.084199°
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Photos

Drone shot of Augustusburg Castle
Motorcycle exhibition at Wildeck Castle
River path with fish ladder on the Zschopau
Covered wooden bridge in Hennersdorf

Description of the walk

Start: The route starts at Zschopau railway station

(S/E) From here, the route runs along the right bank of the Zschopau.

(1) Here, you can take a detour across the bridge into Zschopau town centre. There you will find, for example, the Motorcycle Museum. After the detour, return here and continue to the right along the riverbank.

(2) At Krumhermersdorfer Straße, cross to the left bank of the river.

(3) At the next bridge, do not cross the river again, but turn left instead. At the top end of the allotment gardens, turn right and follow the path. Eventually, the path meets an expressway.

(4) Cross this and continue along the red and white markings of the Zschopautalweg to the next dual carriageway.

(5) Follow this for a short distance to the right into the valley, then turn left before the railway line.

(6) Keep right, following the markings; the path runs alongside the Zschopau.

(7) In Witzschdorf, cross back to the other side of the river and keep left again to continue walking along the Zschopau. The path continues until the historic wooden bridge appears in Hennersdorf.

(8) Shortly afterwards, hikers turn left onto the Kunnerstein path and follow the signs uphill to the Kunnerstein.

(9) Just past the shelter, turn right and head uphill until the first houses of Augustusburg come into view.

(10) Keep left here and then turn right straight away until you reach the Augustusburg Fairy Tale Fountain.

(11) The path winds its way uphill and passes Augustusburg Castle on the left.

(12) Well worth a visit!
Behind the castle, head downhill to the left, either by cable car or on foot along the railway line. The walk ends at Erdmannsdorf station in the valley. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 1,093 ft - Zschopau railway station
  2. 1 : mi 0.17 - alt. 1,086 ft - A detour to the town centre and the Motorcycle Museum
  3. 2 : mi 1.54 - alt. 1,073 ft - Links to switch sides of the river
  4. 3 : mi 1.98 - alt. 1,037 ft - Turn left, do not cross the bridge
  5. 4 : mi 2.72 - alt. 1,273 ft - Cross the dual carriageway
  6. 5 : mi 3.6 - alt. 1,253 ft - Follow the dual carriageway to the right
  7. 6 : mi 4.07 - alt. 1,106 ft - Follow the marker to the right
  8. 7 : mi 4.9 - alt. 1,027 ft - Change sides of the river, then turn left
  9. 8 : mi 6.97 - alt. 965 ft - Wooden bridge, continue left onto Kunnersteinweg
  10. 9 : mi 8.16 - alt. 1,250 ft - Kunnerstein shelter, on the right
  11. 10 : mi 8.68 - alt. 1,437 ft - Turn left at the first houses, then right
  12. 11 : mi 9.14 - alt. 1,529 ft - Augustusburg Fairytale Fountain
  13. 12 : mi 9.39 - alt. 1,624 ft - Detour to Augustusburg Castle
  14. E : mi 10.71 - alt. 971 ft - Erdmannsdorf railway station

Notes

Safety advice

A short section runs alongside an expressway; please take particular care here!

Equipment

We recommend weatherproof clothing, sturdy footwear and a packed lunch for the walk.

Alternative route

If you do not wish to walk the entire route on foot, you can take the historic cable car from Augustusburg to Erdmannsdorf on the banks of the Zschopau, or change to the Zschopautalbahn at several points along the route. This can also be used for the return journey to the starting point.

Getting there

Train

The route follows the Erzgebirgsbahn railway line; there are several access points between Zschopau and Erdmannsdorf.

www.erzgebirgsbahn.de ( Chemnitz–Flöha–Zschopau–Annaberg-B.–Cranzahl)

Bus stops on or near the hiking route

  • Bus stop at the station (Erdmannsdorf)
  • Witzschdorf, railway station
  • Waldkirchen, railway station
  • Zschopau, Neumarkt

How to get there

Directions to Zschopau via the B174

Parking

Parking in Augustusburg:

  • Schlossberg car park
  • Car park – At the Leisure Centre
  • Hiking car park – Cable car valley station

Zschopau:

  • Car park at the railway station

Coordinates

  • DD 50.743437, 13.065902
  • GMS 50°44'36.4"N 13°03'57.2"E
  • UTM 33U 363543 5623078
  • w3w ///markieren.schmal.verlieben

Plenty of places to stop for refreshments in Zschopau and Augustusburg

Worth a visit

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