Whispers of the Moor and the Silence of Böhmisch Reitzenhain

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This day hike along the Kammweg trail leads from Schwarzwassertal to Reitzenhain and back via Czech territory.

This varied circular walk follows the Ore Mountains ridge through the Saxon and Czech Ore Mountains. Particularly charming is the alternation between dense forests and open moorland, which give the region its distinctive character.

The walk starts at the Schwarzwassertal car park in Kühnhaide. From there, the Kammweg trail leads towards the Stengelhaide Moor Nature Trail – a highlight featuring information boards on flora and peat extraction.

The route continues via Köhlerei to Reitzenhain and across the border into the Czech Republic. Passing the abandoned village of Pohraniční, the route leads through peaceful woods and Böhmisch Kühnhaide to the highest point, the Lauschhübel (842 m), which offers beautiful views.

The trail then leads back into the Schwarzwassertal valley, where you can stop for a leisurely break.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 17.61 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 204 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 200 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 832 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 707 m
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Photos

Schwarzwassertal Kühnhaide
Evidence of mining, Grüner Graben (artificial trench)
On the Kammweg trail
Lauschhübel

Description of the walk

Start: The walk begins at the car park in the Schwarzwassertal valley, near the ‘Schwarzwassertal’ restaurant, at an altitude of approx. 707 m.

Signposting: The route is not consistently signposted throughout. Please use the digital route map.

(S/E) From the car park, follow the Kammweg signposts and walk a short distance along the Grüner Graben.

(1) The path soon turns left and climbs through the forest. Continue until you reach the sports ground in Kühnhaide.

(2) Here, follow the path along the edge of the forest and pass the Stengelhaide Moor Nature Trail, which offers interesting information about the moorland and its history.

(3) The path now takes you on to the charcoal kiln.

(4) Continue to follow the Kammweg signposts until you reach the village of Reitzenhain.

(5) Just before the border crossing, leave the Kammweg and cross the border into the Czech Republic to Pohraniční (Bohemian Reitzenhain).

(6) On the Czech side, the trail leads through green countryside and eventually takes you to Lauschhübel, the highest point of the hike at 842 m. You will reach this at around kilometre 14.9 and, in good weather, can enjoy a sweeping view.

(7) After Lauschhübel, you cross the border again, this time between Rübenau and Kühnhaide.

(8) You continue your walk to the left along the Grenzweg on the German side. The path eventually leads you back to the starting point at the hiking car park in the Schwarzwassertal. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 708 m - Schwarzwassertal hiking car park in Kühnhaide
  2. 1 : km 1.82 - alt. 708 m - Grüner Graben sign, turn left here into the woods
  3. 2 : km 4.19 - alt. 752 m - Sports ground, follow the edge of the forest to the right
  4. 3 : km 5.46 - alt. 753 m - Stengelhaide Moor Nature Trail
  5. 4 : km 6.56 - alt. 758 m - Charcoal kiln
  6. 5 : km 8.69 - alt. 767 m - Reitzenhain, leave the ridge path to the left
  7. 6 : km 8.87 - alt. 756 m - Border with the Czech Republic, Pohraničn
  8. 7 : km 15.28 - alt. 830 m - Lauschhübel
  9. 8 : km 16.35 - alt. 776 m - Cross the boundary between Rübenau and Kühnhaide
  10. S/E : km 17.61 - alt. 708 m - Schwarzwassertal hiking car park in Kühnhaide

Notes

Equipment

  • We recommend weatherproof clothing, sturdy footwear and a rucksack with provisions for the journey.
  • Please carry your ID card (as this is a cross-border tour to the Czech Republic)

  • Please note that the route is not consistently marked throughout. For better orientation, we recommend downloading the digital map of the route in advance (as there may be no mobile reception in some areas)

Getting there

Public transport

Stops on or near the hiking route

  • Reitzenhain, car repair shop
  • Kühnhaide, Schwarzwasser
  • Reitzenhain, turning loop

How to get there

via the B174 from Chemnitz

Parking

  • Am Schwarzwasser hiking car park
  • Car park at the Kühnhaide Moor Nature Trail

Coordinates

  • DD 50.595023, 13.250921
  • GMS 50°35'42.1"N 13°15'03.3"E
  • UTM 33U 376206 5606251
  • w3w ///storage.presentation.master

Refreshments

Schwarzwassertal Restaurant

Worth a visit

Author’s tip

Right at the start of the tour, you walk alongthe “Grüner Graben” – a significant testament to mining in the region. The “Grüner Graben”, which still carries water today and has been largely preserved in its original state, is one of the most important physical reminders of silver and tin ore mining in the area around Pobershau. It is a prime example of the water management systems in the Marienberg mining area.

Other walks in the area

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A delightful hike between the railway, the dam and a World Heritage Site. The starting point for this varied circular walk is Schmalzgrube station on the historic Preßnitztalbahn railway. On the Erzgebirge-Vogtland ridge trail, walkers follow the tracks towards Jöhstadt – with a bit of luck, a steam locomotive will be passing through the valley. The trail runs through a cool stream valley with rest areas before passing the railway depot in Jöhstadt. Natural paths with beautiful views then lead on to Dürrenberg. Here, the route turns into the forest and crosses the border into the Czech Republic. The destination is the Preßnitz Dam, beneath which lies the village of Preßnitz, abandoned in the 1970s. The route heads back towards Schmalzgrube via Christophhammer. Shortly before the finish, the historic ironworks with its blast furnace, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, makes a striking impression. The tour ends at the starting point.

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