Sehmatal walks

The steam trains of the Fichtelberg Railway puff between Cranzahl and Kurort Oberwiesenthal several times a day. Those who like to be active themselves can cover the entire route or just a section of it on the "Erlebnispfad Bimmelbahn" (Bimmelbahn Adventure Trail), which runs largely parallel to the railway. The Bimmelbahn adventure trail combines nature, technology and Erzgebirge culture in a special way. It starts in Cranzahl, where a visit to the Räuchermannmuseum (smoking man museum) is well worth it. The trail runs parallel to the narrow-gauge Fichtelberg Railway through fields, meadows and shady forests. The whistling and puffing of the steam locomotive accompanies the hike and offers beautiful photo opportunities. In Neudorf, hikers can visit the "Zum Weihrichkarzl" workshop, which showcases traditional handicrafts, and the original Soup Museum. Along the route, rest areas, shelters and panoramic views invite you to take a break. The destination is the spa town of Oberwiesenthal with places to stop for refreshments and sights to see. The return journey can be made comfortably by steam locomotive.

The hike follows the Erzgebirge-Vogtland ridge trail around Bärenstein and leads back to the starting point on the Czech side. It starts at the hiking car park at the foot of Bärenstein. Initially, the trail follows the Erzgebirge-Vogtland ridge path along the edge of the forest and soon leads into the shady woodland. After a short while, the view opens up to the Cranzahl reservoir – an ideal spot for a first break. The route then passes through the border town of Bärenstein and crosses over into the Czech town of Vejprty. Passing two churches, the path leads through meadows and woods. The ‘Günthers Ruh’ rest area is a great spot for another break. Hikers return to Germany through the forest. An optional detour to the Hotel Fichtenhäusel is available. The route then rejoins the Kammweg. The ascent to the summit of the Bärenstein follows across meadows and through woodland. At the top, a summit cross, views stretching as far as the Fichtelberg and a place to stop for refreshments at the mountain hotel await. The return route leads gently back to the starting point.

From Schlettau Castle to Scheibenberg and the organ pipes, on the region's long-distance hiking trails. The hike starts at the historic Schlettau Castle and leads along the Zschopautalweg trail into the gentle hills of the Ore Mountains. Via Walthersdorf with a detour to the Rosenbuschzeche mine and informative "Sparrguschentafeln" information boards, the route continues towards Scheibenberg.At the foot of the basalt mountain, you will meet the E3 and EB long-distance hiking trails. A detour to the lovingly maintained hiking hut rewards you with a view of the Fichtelberg. Via the Ottomar-Zahn-Steig, you finally reach the summit, mountain inn and observation tower.Passing the ski jumps and impressive basalt columns known as "organ pipes", the return route on the E3 and EB leads through forests and along the railway line back to the castle.

Discover the lower reservoir of the Markersbach pumped-storage power station, nestled between hydroelectric power and a forest idyll. The walk starts at the lower reservoir of the Markersbach pumped-storage power station. Information boards on the dam explain the function of Germany’s second-largest pumped-storage power station, which plays an important role in storing renewable energy. As you cross the dam, the striking viaduct catches the eye. Deutsche Bahn is currently testing autonomous driving on this historic railway line. The route then leads along well-maintained paths through varied woodland, circling the lower reservoir once. Beautiful views of the water and landscape open up time and again. Rest areas along the route invite you to linger. A particular highlight is the “Mühlchen” with its small water wheels, seating and play facilities. A few metres further on, a large water wheel, a shelter and a Kneipp facility await. From there, the route leads back to the car park.

The circular hiking trail offers magnificent views of the spa town of Oberwiesenthal, its ski slope and ski jumps. This circular hike is dedicated to the successful winter sportsman Eric Frenzel, one of Germany's most important Nordic combined athletes with numerous world championship and Olympic titles. The varied tour starts at the toboggan run in Oberwiesenthal and leads out of the town centre via Vierenstraße. Even here, there are beautiful views of the Schindelbach Valley and the Ore Mountains landscape. The route leads through dense forests to the Eschenhof nature lodge and on under the cable car into the wild and romantic Schönjungferngrund with its streams and natural paths. The route then passes the famous ski jumps that characterise Oberwiesenthal as a winter sports centre. The tour ends in the town centre with its refreshment stops and the valley station of the Fichtelberg cable car.

The circular route takes you via Loucna pod Klinovcem and the viewpoint at the Wirbelsteine to Klinovec. The route continues via Bozi Dar and the Fichtelberg back to the start of the tour. This scenic circular route is named after the successful luge athlete Sylke Otto, who won two Olympic gold medals and is regarded as the most successful luge athlete of all time. The route starts in Oberwiesenthal at the valley station of the cable car. From the centre, the path leads downhill and crosses the Fichtelbergbahn railway line. After crossing the border into the Czech Republic, the route climbs uphill with beautiful views of Oberwiesenthal and the Ore Mountains. Through the forest, the route reaches the Wirbelsteine, a rewarding viewpoint. The route continues to Keilberg (Klínovec), the highest mountain in the Bohemian Ore Mountains, offering panoramic views. It then descends to Boží Dar and back to Germany. The highlight is the Fichtelberg (1,215 m). The viewing tower offers an impressive panoramic view before the route leads back to Oberwiesenthal.

The hike crosses the border between Germany and the Czech Republic and offers a perfect combination of physical challenge and breathtaking scenery in the Ore Mountains. The route begins in the spa town of Oberwiesenthal, Germany’s highest town. From here, the roughly 18.6 km-long tour sets off along the border. The route takes you along forest tracks and high-altitude paths with constant ups and downs, typical of the ridge region. A detour to the Amtssteigfelsen is well worth it for the sweeping views. Passing the Bächelhütte and Börnerwiese, you reach Tellerhäuser, where the “Zwergentreff” is a great place to take a break. You then cross the border into the Czech Republic and hike through forests towards Boží Dar. There is plenty to discover along the Christkindlweg. The village offers culture and the atmosphere of the Ore Mountains. The route takes you back to Oberwiesenthal via the Zechengrund, where you can stop for refreshments and a stroll.

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.

A leisurely walk with fascinating panoramic views and the enchantment of fairy tales This varied circular walk starts at the car park below the Pöhlberg. A short climb leads to the ‘Butterfässer’, a striking basalt formation by the side of the path. Hikers then follow the middle Pöhlberg circular trail, which delights families in particular with its little fairy-tale stations. After just a few steps, sweeping views open up over fields, villages and the ridges of the Ore Mountains as far as Keilberg and Fichtelberg. This panorama accompanies much of the walk and repeatedly invites you to pause and take it all in. About halfway along the route, sure-footed hikers may wish to take a detour to the historic St. Briccius treasure trove. The route continues through peaceful mixed woodland, past old clay pits, a former quarry and the former site of the ski jump. You eventually return to the starting point via the old bobsleigh track.

This hike combines the three long-distance trails E3, EB and the Zschopautalwanderweg into a challenging but stunning tour with incredible views. This varied tour starts at the historic Frohnauer Hammer, a landmark of Annaberg-Buchholz. Along the E3 long-distance trail, a demanding climb leads to sweeping views of the town, St Anne’s Church and the Pöhlberg.The route takes you over hills and fields to the Dörfler Höhe with its impressive panoramas, before the descent to Dörfel begins.The route then runs through the Zschopau Valley along nature trails, past the Schlettau natural swimming pool to Schlettau Castle.The return route takes you uphill along an avenue with views stretching as far as the Fichtelberg.Finally, the Teufelskanzel offers a last spectacular view of Annaberg before the tour ends at the starting point.

A challenging and wooded tour offering an unforgettable border experience, ideal for experienced hikers. This circular walk, approximately 16 km long, starts at the Rittersgrün outdoor swimming pool. Initially, there are beautiful views of the idyllic mountain village before the path leads into the shady Ore Mountains forest and soon crosses the border into the Czech Republic for the first time. The route climbs steadily through dense forest to the ‘Segen Gottes Stolln’ and on to the historic ‘Johannes-Stolln’, silent reminders of mining history. With a bit of luck, you might spot figures from the Christkindlweg. In Tellerhäuser, the route heads back into Germany. A rest is well worth taking at the lovingly designed “Zwergentreff”. Afterwards, the Erzgebirge-Vogtland ridge trail descends alongside a babbling brook. Via the “Wettinplatz” and past the “Himmelsstein”, the trail leads back to the starting point – full of impressions from two countries.

This cross-border hike takes you to some of the area’s highlights. The starting point for this varied hike is the Rittersgrün outdoor swimming pool. After just a few minutes, you’ll reach the Erzgebirge-Vogtland Ridge Trail, one of Germany’s most beautiful long-distance hiking trails. The route climbs over the Fritzschberg to a rest area with impressive panoramic views. The route then leads deep into the Erzgebirge forest and soon leaves the Kammweg for a detour into the Czech Republic. The destination is the Halbemeiler Wiesn, a historic site of the vanished village of Halbemeile, which invites you to pause for a moment. Shortly afterwards, you reach the small chapel of St Nepomuk, a quiet spot in the middle of the forest. Back in Germany, the route takes you across the Himmelswiese to the Oschützfelsen, offering a beautiful view of the valley. The descent leads to Rittersgrün, past the narrow-gauge railway museum. The return route runs along the other side of the valley, offering magnificent views.

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.

The mining trail covers 13.7 kilometres through the "Greifenstein area" and features over 30 stations with impressive evidence of historical mining as well as traces in nature, landscape and culture.

The Zwönitz Panorama Trail leads along scenic paths around the mountain town of Zwönitz, combining nature experiences with little cultural discoveries. From the market square, the route passes Blasius Church to the old Stollberg Railway, accompanied by sweeping views over Zwönitz and the Geyerschen Wald. Via Niederzwönitz, the tour leads up to the Galgenspitze and on to the Hammerteich with its waterfall. Along the way, walkers encounter legendary sites such as the ‘Headless Horseman’, enjoy views stretching as far as the Zwickau region, and reach the ‘Zwönitzblick’ viewing tower via Kühnhaide. A particular highlight is the Fuchsbrunn Bridge, an impressive relic of the former railway line to Scheibenberg, before the trail leads back to Zwönitz, passing traces of the town’s mining history.