In the footsteps of the exiles to Johanngeorgenstadt

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A border walk steeped in history.

This historic hike starts at the market square in Horní Blatná (Platten) by St. Laurentius Church. The trail initially heads towards Breitenbach before turning off into the forest. In dry weather, it’s worth taking a detour to the old cobalt mill, a silent testament to mining.

The route continues through the Ore Mountains forest towards Oberjugel. It was here that Protestant exiles from Platten found refuge in 1653 after being driven out because of their faith. With the support of the Saxon Elector, Johanngeorgenstadt was later founded.

Via Oberjugel, the route leads along the “Alte Bobbahn” into the Lehmer Grund. Passing the former ore-crushing plant, the path follows the Schwefelbach stream to Unterjugel. There it passes the Glöckl exhibition mine, which illustrates the history of mining.

At the border, market stalls and restaurants invite you to round off the tour.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.36 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 92 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 292 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 894 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 693 m
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Photos

Bridge in Lehmergrund
In the border forest near Johanngeorgenstadt
At the Hohneujahrer Pochwäsche
Curious onlookers by the wayside

Description of the walk

Start: The walk begins at the market square in Horní Blatná.

(S/E) From there, hikers follow the road towards Breitenbach and turn left into the woods about 150 metres past the last houses.

(1) Follow the forest path all the way; at the first junction, continue straight ahead; at the second junction, keep left.

(2) This path takes you across the border and on to Oberjugel.

(3) Hikers reach Jugelstraße via the Preißler Zechenweg.

(4) After the school camp, turn left, staying on Jugelstraße, and shortly afterwards take the right-hand turn into the woods onto the yellow-marked route.

(5) This leads down via the Alte Bobbahn into the Lehmer Grund.

(6) There, turn right and follow the green diagonal route along the Schwefelbach stream down into the valley.

(7) The path eventually rejoins Jugelstraße, which you follow to the left towards Johanngeorgenstadt.

(8) Then keep to the right and continue along Wittigsthalstraße, past the Glöckl exhibition mine, until you reach the main road.

(9) Here, walkers turn right, go left at the roundabout and follow the road straight on until they reach the station. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 894 m - Market square in Horní Blatná
  2. 1 : km 1.2 - alt. 852 m - Turn left into the forest
  3. 2 : km 4.49 - alt. 865 m - Turn left
  4. 3 : km 6.03 - alt. 827 m - Turn right onto the Preißler Zechenweg
  5. 4 : km 6.52 - alt. 840 m - Turn right onto Jugelstraße
  6. 5 : km 7.23 - alt. 847 m - Turn right onto the yellow-marked route
  7. 6 : km 8.17 - alt. 778 m - Lehmer Grund, on the right
  8. 7 : km 9.49 - alt. 725 m - Turn left onto Jugelstraße
  9. 8 : km 10.14 - alt. 711 m - Turn right onto Wittigsthalstraße
  10. 9 : km 10.73 - alt. 704 m - Glöckl Show Mine, continuing to the main road
  11. E : km 11.36 - alt. 697 m - Potucky railway station

Notes

Equipment

Bring your ID card (as this is a cross-border tour to the Czech Republic)

Getting there

Public transport

  • Accessible by train and bus
  • By train: Erzgebirgsbahn to Johanngeorgenstadt, Ceske Drahy to Horni Blatna
  • By bus: Route 334 (Aue – Schwarzenberg), Route 346 (Eibenstock – Wildenthal)

Bus stops along the route:

  • Johanngeorgenstadt, Wittigsthaler Hof
  • Johanngeorgenstadt, Farbmühle
  • Johanngeorgenstadt, fire station

Directions

  • Take the B283 to Eibenstock, then on to Johanngeorgenstadt
  • via the B101 to Schwarzenberg, then on to Johanngeorgenstadt

Parking

  • Parking spaces at the Wittigsthaler Hof
  • at Johanngeorgenstadt railway station
  • on Eibenstocker Straße (near the sports ground)
  • at the Horni Blatna market

Coordinates

  • DD 50.388440, 12.766594
  • GMS 50°23'18.4"N 12°45'59.7"E
  • UTM 33U 341239 5584205
  • w3w ///fur.scale.shot

Places to stop for refreshments

  • Café Mertsching
  • There are numerous places to stop for refreshments in both Horni Blatna and Johanngeorgenstadt / Potucky

Worth a visit

Author’s tip

After the hike, it’s well worth visiting the monument “Die Flucht der Exulanten” (The Flight of the Exiles) – life-size, carved figures in Am Pferdegöpel street.

Further information and links

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