Through the valley by steam – between railway romance and the murmur of the river

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This easy walk leads from Jöhstadt to Steinbach, with the Preßnitztalbahn railway always within easy reach.

The starting point for this special tour is Jöhstadt station, the hub of the historic Preßnitztalbahn. The heritage railway has been lovingly restored and keeps railway history alive.

From the station, the path runs along the edge of the forest with lovely views of Jöhstadt. After the depot, the route enters the shady forest and follows the railway line and the Schwarzwasser stream. A rest area along the way invites you to take a break before reaching Schmalzgrube.

It is well worth taking a detour here to the Schmalzgrube ironworks, an important testament to the region’s mining heritage and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site ‘Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region’.

The trail continues through peaceful woodland, passing further rest areas. At the Andreas-Gegentrum-Stolln, another relic serves as a reminder of the mining history, before the tour ends at Steinbach station.

Details

n°97826312
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.66 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 548 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,010 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,411 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,778 ft
  • ⚐ Country: Germany
  • ⚐ City: Jöhstadt 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 50.509946° / E 13.098914°
  • ⚑
    End: N 50.557577° / E 13.149565°
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Photos

Preßnitztalbahn locomotive shed
Short section at the edge of the forest
Level crossing in Jöhstadt
Cosy rest area on the Preßnitz

Description of the walk

Start: The starting point is Jöhstadt railway station.

(S) From here, walk uphill towards the forest and keep to the left.

(1) From this point, follow the signs for the Kammweg to the left. After a stretch along the edge of the forest, the path leads to the Preßnitztalbahn depot.

(2) Beyond this, walkers cross the road and climb briefly uphill before the path turns right into the woods.

(3) From here, continue straight on along the railway tracks and the Schwarzwasser stream to Schmalzgrube.

(4) In the village, leave the Kammweg and turn left.

(5) From the main road, turn left onto the Floßzechenweg and continue along the Schwarzwasser and the railway tracks.

(6) Passing the Andreas-Gegentrum-Stolln, the path eventually leads to Steinbach station, where the walk ends. (E)

Waypoints

  1. S : mi 0 - alt. 2,244 ft - Jöhstadt railway station
  2. 1 : mi 0.3 - alt. 2,388 ft - Follow the ridge path to the left
  3. 2 : mi 0.88 - alt. 2,218 ft - Preßnitztalbahn depot
  4. 3 : mi 1.14 - alt. 2,346 ft - Keep right until Schmalzgrube
  5. 4 : mi 3 - alt. 1,969 ft - Leave the ridge path to the left
  6. 5 : mi 3.14 - alt. 1,959 ft - Floßzechenweg, turn left
  7. 6 : mi 4.62 - alt. 1,883 ft - Andreas Gegentrum Tunnel
  8. E : mi 5.66 - alt. 1,778 ft - Steinbach railway station

Notes

Getting there

Public transport

  • Take bus 430 from Annaberg-Buchholz
  • Bus stops in Steinbach, Schmalzgrube and also in Jöhstadt

By car

Take the B95 to Gasthof & Pension Morgensonne or the B174 to Reitzenhain

Parking

  • Jöhstadt: at the vehicle depot (Schlösselstraße 65), ski resort car park (Gründelweg), Preßnitztalbahn car park (Schlösselstraße), museum car park (Am bhf 78), car park at the station (Äußere Bahnhofstraße 133B)
  • Steinbach: Bahnhofstraße 5, car park at the dog sports club (Hauptstraße 1A)

Coordinates

  • DD 50.509946, 13.098914
  • GMS 50°30'35.8"N 13°05'56.1"E
  • UTM 33U 365205 5597057
  • w3w ///erker.voll.eintraf

Places to stop for refreshments

Worth a visit

Editor’s tip

The return journey can be perfectly combined with a ride on the historic Preßnitztalbahn museum railway – complete with nostalgic charm and the feel of a steam train.

Further information and links

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