Between clouds and stone – rocky idyll and panoramic views

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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.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.15 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 369 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 375 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 588 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 398 m
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Photos

Rainbow over the town and castle of Wolkenstein
View over the vastness of the Ore Mountains
A break is a must
Warmbad spa gardens

Description of the walk

Start/finish: Start of the tour at Wolkenstein market, in the town hall tunnel

(S/E) Following the red-marked European long-distance hiking trail Eisenach-Budapest and the Zschopautalweg valley trail downhill, hikers turn right shortly before the valley floor into the rock labyrinth of Wolkenstein Switzerland, continuing on the EB.

(1) The trail climbs uphill via the Brückenklippe viewpoint (2) and then turns sharply left at the edge of the forest.
The terrain continues to climb until it reaches Anton-Günther-Höhe (3), a plateau with benches and a shelter, before descending again through the forest via the Himmelsleiter (stairway to heaven) and further gneiss formations towards Warmbad.
Keep left and finally cross the road to walk along the EB into the spa gardens.

(4) After the spa gardens in the Warmbad spa, hikers switch to the yellow markings.
To the left of the Warmbad bus stop, Am Kurpark, the path leads back into the countryside.
Continue to follow the yellow markings and take in the information about the history of mining, while slag heaps from the mining era can be seen along the way.
After crossing the B101, the dirt road leads to a scenic height until it meets the blue-marked E3 – keep to the right.

(5) At the junction of the EB and E3, keep left to follow the E3.
After crossing the B171, the route continues straight ahead (first on the yellow markings and then, at the Kohlau farmstead, turn left onto the green markings).

(6) At the Zeisigstein viewpoint, keep right and walk downhill through the forest to the Zschopautalwanderweg trail.
Keep right and, after crossing the Eschenbach stream, switch back to the yellow markings.
Ascend through the Wolfsschlucht gorge to the old town of Wolkenstein on the right.
At the end of the hike, it is worth visiting Wolkenstein Castle. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 476 m - Market square in Selva, in the town hall tunnel
  2. 1 : km 1.05 - alt. 413 m - Right into Wolkenstein Switzerland
  3. 2 : km 1.35 - alt. 444 m - Bridge Cliff Viewpoint
  4. 3 : km 2.18 - alt. 500 m - Anton-Günther-Höhe
  5. 4 : km 3.99 - alt. 466 m - Leave EB and turn left onto the yellow markings
  6. 5 : km 7.3 - alt. 585 m - Follow the E3 to the right
  7. 6 : km 12.16 - alt. 483 m - Zeisigstein viewpoint
  8. 7 : km 14.98 - alt. 470 m - Wolkenstein Castle
  9. S/E : km 15.15 - alt. 476 m - Market square in Selva, in the town hall tunnel

Notes

Places to stop for refreshments:

Getting there

Public transport

Accessible by train and bus

Bus stops on/near the hiking route:

  • Gehringswalde, Drei Rosen
  • Warmbad, Am Kurpark
  • Wolkenstein, Annaberger Str
  • Wolkenstein, Market
  • Wolkenstein, railway station/B101

Rail

Erzgebirgsbahn, Wolkenstein railway station

How to get

via the B101 or B171 to Wolkenstein

Park

Parking facilities on/near the hiking route:

  • Car park in the Warmbad residential area
  • Warmbad, An der Silber-Therme
  • Wolkenstein, hiking car park – centre/Annaberger Straße
  • Wolkenstein, Bahnhofstraße

Coordinates

  • DD 50.655684, 13.066352
  • GMS 50°39'20.5"N 13°03'58.9"E
  • UTM 33U 363319 5613320
  • w3w ///soon.bean.fox

Worth a visit

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