Basalt fans, steam locomotives and the magic of the dam

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The hike connects the ridge path on the German side with the Preßnitz Dam in the Czech Republic.

This varied circular route starts at Hirtstein, offering sweeping views across the Ore Mountains and an impressive basalt fan – a natural monument of volcanic origin.

From the summit, the route descends through the forest to Schmalzgrube station, a stop on the historic Preßnitz Valley Railway. Following the tracks, the route takes the Erzgebirge-Vogtland ridge path. With a bit of luck, you might spot a puffing steam locomotive in the narrow valley.

Through a shady stream valley and past rest areas, the path leads to Jöhstadt. It then continues close to nature along the edge of the forest before the tour leaves the ridge trail at Dürrenberg.

In the Czech Republic, the path leads to the Preßnitz Dam, beneath which the former village lies. After the dam, the path climbs through quiet woods, with a detour to the Mönchsfelsen, before crossing the border once more.

The route returns to Hirtstein across the wide plateau near Satzung.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 24.35 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 621 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 622 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 901 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 599 m
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Photos

On the unique Hirtstein
Hikers in the Preßnitz Valley
A lovingly designed landmark by the roadside
Schmalzgrube hammer mill

Description of the walk

Start: Hirtstein

Markings: The route is not consistently marked throughout. Please use the digital route map.

(S/E) From Hirtstein, follow the Erzgebirge-Vogtland ridge trail (white-blue-white stripes, marked ‘KAMM’) downhill and walk along the edge of the forest until you reach the ‘Lustiger Hans’ mountain hut.

(1) There, the Kammweg signposts lead into the forest. The route descends along lovely forest paths.

(2) Shortly after a small stream, turn left.

(3) As soon as you reach the Mühlgründelbach, follow it downhill to the right.

(4) Via the Wilhelmsweg, walkers return to the Kammweg by turning right again.

(5) Follow this path to the left until the village of Schmalzgrube appears in the valley.

(6) At the main road, hikers turn right and, behind the railway tracks, immediately turn left again and walk through the idyllic Schwarzwassertal valley.

(7) In Jöhstadt, the route passes the Preßnitztalbahn depot before heading left uphill into the forest.

(8) At the edge of the forest, keep to the right and continue to follow the Kammweg markings. Turn right once more to stay at the edge of the forest, then left until you reach the border with the Czech Republic.

(9) Do not cross the border just yet, but head right, past a few houses and continue along a path. Just before the first mountain hut, turn left into the woods and you will enter the Czech Republic.
Passing numerous birch trees, the path leads to the next junction, where you turn left. At the following junction, keep right, then left again, and at the next fork, continue slightly to the right. Straight ahead, you will eventually reach a road which, after a short distance to the left, leads to the dam wall of the reservoir.

(10) Continue over the dam and then straight on uphill through the forest, following the main path.

(11) Just before the border, you can take a detour to the Mönchsfelsen (12), then return to the path.
Just under three kilometres past the dam wall, you’ll reach a fork in the path.

(13) Here, keep left and cross the border into Germany. From here, continue straight ahead without any turn-offs until you reach Satzung.

(14) In the village, turn left into Kirchstraße at the church. At the end of the road, turn right into Obere Dorfstraße, which you leave after just a few metres by turning right onto a dirt track. This leads uphill back to the starting point on the Hirtstein.(S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 883 m - Hirtstein
  2. 1 : km 1.68 - alt. 855 m - “Lustiger Hans” mountain hut, turn right into the woods
  3. 2 : km 2.61 - alt. 823 m - Leave the Kammweg to the left
  4. 3 : km 4.05 - alt. 732 m - Follow the Mühlgründelbach on the right
  5. 4 : km 4.81 - alt. 661 m - Follow Wilhelmsweg to the right
  6. 5 : km 5.44 - alt. 657 m - Follow the ridge path to the left
  7. 6 : km 5.71 - alt. 604 m - Turn right onto the main road, then left after the railway tracks
  8. 7 : km 9.31 - alt. 676 m - Past the vehicle depot and left into the woods
  9. 8 : km 9.49 - alt. 701 m - Turn right at the edge of the wood
  10. 9 : km 10.84 - alt. 764 m - Follow the road to the right towards the Czech border
  11. 10 : km 15.34 - alt. 733 m - Dam wall of the reservoir
  12. 11 : km 18.02 - alt. 881 m - Detour to Mönchsfelsen, left
  13. 12 : km 18.67 - alt. 826 m - Monk's Rock
  14. 13 : km 19.95 - alt. 895 m - Fork in the road, left to the German border
  15. 14 : km 23.12 - alt. 849 m - Church, Kirchstraße on the left
  16. S/E : km 24.35 - alt. 883 m - Hirtstein

Notes

Equipment

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

Safety instructions

Only cross the tracks if you are certain that no train is coming.

Further information and links

Refreshments

How to get there

Public transport

Take bus 430 from Annaberg

Stops on or near the route

  • Jöhstadt, Schlössel
  • Jöhstadt, supermarket
  • Satzung, church
  • Schmalzgrube, swimming pool
  • Schmalzgrube, railway station

Directions

Take the S271 to Jöhstadt, then continue to Satzung, or take the B174 to Reitzenhain, then continue to Satzung.

Parking

  • Satzung: Car park on the Hirtstein, car park at the Satzung sports ground
  • Schmalzgrube: Schmalzgrube car park, car park at the Forellenhof stop
  • Jöhstadt: at the vehicle depot (Schlösselstraße 65), car park at the ski resort (Gründelweg), car park at the Preßnitztalbahn (Schlösselstraße), car park at the museum (Am bhf 78), car park at the station (Äußere Bahnhofstraße 133B)

Coordinates

  • DD 50.535686, 13.191976
  • GMS 50°32'08.5"N 13°11'31.1"E
  • UTM 33U 371873 5599754
  • w3w ///responsibility.sorted.trains

Worth a visit

Editor’s tip

The section between Schmalzgrube and Jöhstadt can be covered by taking a ride on the historic Preßnitztalbahn museum railway – complete with nostalgic charm and the feel of a steam locomotive. This shortens the route by approx. 4.5 km.

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