"Steinbachtal" circular hiking trail

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Circular walk with many attractive viewpoints through the idyllic, rocky Steinbach Valley in the town of Schwibbogen: Johanngeorgenstadt.

The circular hike through the Steinbach Valley begins with an impressive ensemble consisting of a procession of exiles, a large pyramid and the world's largest free-standing Schwibbogen. After a short section through the village, the trail leads downhill into nature, past the edge of the forest and across a meadow with beautiful views of Rabenberg, Fichtelberg and Plattenberg. Soon the path plunges into the forest and reaches the idyllic Steinbach Valley, where it is accompanied by the splashing of the stream. Then the imposing Teufelssteine (Devil's Stones) rise up before the path climbs, crosses a road and leads back into dense forest. At the edge of the village, wide views open up. The way back passes the natural swimming pool and the horse-drawn galley, a gem of technical history and a fitting end to the tour.

Details

n°89015169
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.26 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 276 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 282 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 897 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 699 m
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Photos

The world's largest Schwibbogen in Johanngeorgenstadt
The figures of the historical exile procession
Climbers enjoy the view over the forests of the Ore Mountains
Am Schwefelbach natural swimming pool

Description of the walk

Start/finish: Tourist information office in Mittelstadt. Car park at Platz des Bergmanns in Johanngeorgenstadt.

(S/E) The hike begins at the tourist information office in the town centre. We walk 1 km uphill on the yellow-marked trail along Eibenstocker Straße and turn right at Grauer Mann.

(1) There, the path continues as a meadow path.

(2) Once you reach the edge of the forest, it is only a short distance to the ski hut, a former base for the mountain rescue service.

(3) A quiet path winds its way down for about 1 km to the Kanzelstein junction.

(4) We follow the trail markers to the Kellerschleiferei.

(5) Here we turn left towards Johanngeorgenstadt and follow the path upstream. Passing the Teufelssteine (6), we reach the district of Steinbach. The path leads here into Eibenstocker Straße.

(7) From there, there are two options:

  • the quick option is to turn left along Eibenstocker Straße and return through the town (total 9.0 km)
  • The more natural option is to follow the route (total 11.4 km)

Turn right and walk just under 100 m along Eibenstocker Straße to Kammweg.

(8) Turn left towards Loipenhaus/Bhf. and follow Kammweg to Schwefelwerkstraße Pension Sonnentau.

(9) Leave Kammweg here and continue straight ahead until you reach the turn-off to the right onto Häuersteig.

(10) Turn right here. We reach the south bank of the natural swimming pool at Schwefelbach and continue to Henneberger Flügel.

(11) Turn left and continue straight ahead on Auenstraße until you reach Schwefelwerkstraße.

(12) Turn right to return to the starting point of the hike. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 831 m - Tourist information in the town centre
  2. 1 : km 1.04 - alt. 871 m - At the Grey Man
  3. 2 : km 1.77 - alt. 872 m - Edge of forest, right
  4. 3 : km 1.98 - alt. 858 m - Ski lodge
  5. 4 : km 3.03 - alt. 791 m - Kanzelstein intersection, left
  6. 5 : km 3.77 - alt. 701 m - Cellar grinding shop, left
  7. 6 : km 4.68 - alt. 755 m - Devil's Stones
  8. 7 : km 6.5 - alt. 839 m - Steinbach, two options
  9. 8 : km 6.76 - alt. 824 m - Kammweg, left
  10. 9 : km 9.5 - alt. 865 m - Pension Sonnentau
  11. 10 : km 9.79 - alt. 852 m - Häuersteig, right
  12. 11 : km 10.43 - alt. 809 m - Henneberg wing, left
  13. 12 : km 11.02 - alt. 827 m - Schwefelwerkstraße, on the right
  14. S/E : km 11.26 - alt. 831 m - Tourist information in the town centre

Notes

Author's tip

Feel free to use the Steinbachtal nature trail as a nature-friendly alternative to Steinbachtalstraße.

Safety

Please watch out for traffic when crossing the road.

Equipment

We recommend weatherproof clothing, sturdy footwear and a rucksack with provisions for the journey.

Further information and links

Tourist Information Tel. 03773 888222
www.johanngeorgenstadt.de

Places to stop

Public transport

Rail

Erzgebirgsbahn railway station Johanngeorgenstadt, then approx. 2.2 km to the starting point on foot or by bus – lines 348, 346, 334 to the Platz des Bergmanns stop

RB 95 from Zwickau to Johanngeorgenstadt

Bus

  • Stop: Johanngeorgenstadt, Platz des Bergmanns
  • Line 334 from Aue to Johanngeorgenstadt (Platz des Bergmanns)
  • Line 336 from Schwarzenberg to Johanngeorgenstadt (Platz des Bergmanns)
  • Line 346 from Eibenstock to Johanngeorgenstadt (Platz des Bergmanns)
  • Line 348/350 City bus

How to get

Access via the B101 to Johanngeorgenstadt

Park

  • Car park at Platz des Bergmanns
  • Car park on Eibenstocker Str. Johanngeorgenstadt
  • Car park – Loipenhaus Johanngeorgenstadt
  • Car park – Pferdegöpel, Johanngeorgenstadt

Coordinates

  • DD 50.432116, 12.713123
  • GMS 50°25'55.6"N 12°42'47.2"E
  • UTM 33U 337587 5589176
  • w3w ///grown.service.opening

Worth a visit

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