From viewpoint to viewpoint between Annaberg-Buchholz and Schlettau

fr de

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.

Details

n°94020893
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.08 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,109 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,106 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,270 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,726 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Hikers enjoy the view of the Scheibenberg
Schlettau Castle in autumn
Schlettau Natural Bathing Area
A hiker on the Zschopautalweg

Description of the walk

Start: The walk begins at Frohnauer Hammer.

(S/E) From there, hikers follow Albertstraße uphill, following the E3 markings. Don’t miss the turn-off to the right onto the main road.

(1) Continue uphill to the last houses.

(2) Here, keep left and follow the path until it meets a road.

(3) There, the path turns left again towards Dörfler Höhe.

(4) Just before a small copse, turn right and eventually enter the woods. Follow the path downhill until you reach the village road in Dörfel.

(5) Here, hikers turn left, cross the Talstraße and, at the turning loop, turn first left and then immediately right onto the Dörfler Kirchsteig, continuing to the next junction after crossing the Zschopau.

(6) Keep left here and from this point follow the signs for the Zschopautalweg. Stay on the main path at all times, past the natural swimming pool (7), and continue along the road to the castle park.

(8) Cross this to Buchholzer Straße.

(9) Here, the walk turns left. After a few hundred metres, the road curves to the right.

(10) Here, continue straight ahead onto Alte Buchholzer Straße and follow the EB markings.
The path leads uphill through a tree-lined avenue and continues over the hilltop until you reach the upper edge of the village.

(11) Turn left there, keep right at the cowshed, then cross Dörfler Weg and follow Dahlienweg.

(12) Leave this path to the left towards the Teufelskanzel. At the next junction, hikers turn right and continue straight ahead until they reach the Frohnau Volunteer Fire Brigade.

(13) Here, keep left, turn left again onto the main road and, after a few metres, turn right to return to the starting point at the Frohnauer Hammer. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,742 ft - Frohnauer Hammer
  2. 1 : mi 0.36 - alt. 1,903 ft - Turn right onto the main road
  3. 2 : mi 0.76 - alt. 2,195 ft - Turn left after the last houses
  4. 3 : mi 1.13 - alt. 2,198 ft - Turn left at the road
  5. 4 : mi 1.44 - alt. 2,254 ft - Dörfler Höhe, turn right and then right into the woods
  6. 5 : mi 2.49 - alt. 1,827 ft - Village Road, left
  7. 6 : mi 2.87 - alt. 1,762 ft - Junction after crossing the Zschopau, left
  8. 7 : mi 4.3 - alt. 1,837 ft - Natural swimming spot
  9. 8 : mi 4.73 - alt. 1,831 ft - Castle Park
  10. 9 : mi 4.88 - alt. 1,841 ft - Buchholzer Straße, left
  11. 10 : mi 5.13 - alt. 1,886 ft - Marking of the EB, straight ahead
  12. 11 : mi 6.26 - alt. 2,270 ft - Outskirts, left
  13. 12 : mi 6.96 - alt. 2,159 ft - Links to the Devil’s Pulpit
  14. 13 : mi 7.9 - alt. 1,831 ft - Frohnau Volunteer Fire Brigade, left
  15. S/E : mi 8.08 - alt. 1,742 ft - Frohnauer Hammer

Notes

Safety information

Parts of the route run along public roads. Although these are rarely used, please be considerate.

Further information and links

Located directly on the route

Information on other sights and places to stop for refreshments in Annaberg-Buchholz: https://www.annaberg-buchholz.de/tourismus/tourismus.php

Places to stop for refreshments in Schlettau

Getting there

Public transport

Bus

Many bus stops in Buchholz directly along the route (city transport), as well as stops in Dörfel (Dorfstraße) and in Schlettau (Markt)

Train

Take the Erzgebirgsbahn to Annaberg-Buchholz, lower station

Directions

via the B95 or the B101 to Annaberg-Buchholz

Parking

  • Annaberg-Buchholz: Car park at Frohnauer Hammer and on Sehmatalstraße
  • Schlettau: Hermannsdorfer Weg (outdoor swimming pool), Naumannplatz, Frohnauer Weg and at the market.

Coordinates

  • DD 50.581589, 12.995205
  • GMS 50°34'53.7"N 12°59'42.7"E
  • UTM 33U 358068 5605216
  • w3w ///upper.past.between

Worth a visit

Editor’s tip

A visit to the Frohnauer Hammer is an absolutely thrilling experience!

Other walks in the area

Walking Viewpoint bliss and fairy-tale forest – Around the Pöhlberg

Tourist office
Aussichtsglück und Märchenwald – Rund um den Pöhlberg
↔2.03 mi ↗+279 ft ↘-276 ft ◔1h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Annaberg-Buchholz (Erzgebirgskreis)
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.

Walking Where organ pipes and views beckon – the magic of the Ore Mountains around Scheibenberg

Tourist office
Wo Orgelpfeifen und Aussicht locken - Erzgebirgszauber um den Scheibenberg
↔8.11 mi ↗+1,053 ft ↘-1,037 ft ◔4h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Schlettau (Erzgebirgskreis)
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.

Walking Ehrenfriedersdorf Silver Road Mining Trail

Tourist office
Bergbaulehrpfad Silberstraße Ehrenfriedersdorf
↔8.07 mi ↗+889 ft ↘-899 ft ◔4h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Ehrenfriedersdorf (Erzgebirgskreis)
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.

Walking Adventure trail Tourist train

Tourist office
Erlebnispfad Bimmelbahn
↔11.68 mi ↗+1,309 ft ↘-528 ft ◔6h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Sehmatal (Erzgebirgskreis)
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.

Walking Over the ridge to Bärenstein

Tourist office
Über den Kamm zum Bärenstein
↔7.06 mi ↗+1,240 ft ↘-1,220 ft ◔4h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Erzgebirgskreis
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.

Walking Between clouds and stone – rocky idyll and panoramic views

Tourist office
Zwischen Wolken und Stein - Felsenidylle und Panoramaaussicht
↔9.41 mi ↗+1,211 ft ↘-1,230 ft ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Wolkenstein (Erzgebirgskreis)
If you are looking for unique rock formations, magnificent views and healing waters, you couldn't make a better choice. This varied circular walk starts at the historic market square in Wolkenstein, near the castle high above the Zschopau Valley. The EB long-distance hiking trail leads down into the rock labyrinth of Wolkenstein Switzerland. From the bridge cliff, there is an impressive view of the stone arch and railway bridge over the Zschopau.The trail continues to the Anton-Günther-Höhe and down to the Warmbad spa area with its drinking pavilion and water playground.Passing the historic mining area with its old tunnel shaft, the E3 trail leads to Zeisigstein with sweeping views of the Annaberg region.Along the Zschopau river and through the romantic Wolfsschlucht gorge, the path climbs back up to Wolkenstein.

Walking Markersbach Lower Reservoir Circular Walk – Pure Nature

Tourist office
Rundweg Unterbecken Markersbach - Natur Pur
↔3.68 mi ↗+404 ft ↘-377 ft ◔2h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Raschau-Markersbach (Erzgebirgskreis)
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.

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

Tourist office
Mit Dampf durchs Tal - zwischen Bahnromantik und Flussrauschen
↔5.66 mi ↗+548 ft ↘-1,010 ft ◔3h 05 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Jöhstadt (Erzgebirgskreis)
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.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.