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

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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.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.06 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 321 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 316 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 816 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 561 m
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Photos

Schlettau Castle
Special rest areas along the way
Along the railway line between Schlettau and Scheibenberg
Basalt columns Scheibenberg

Description of the walk

Start/finish: The hike begins at Schlettau Castle.

Markings: The tour is not marked uniformly throughout. Please use the digital route.

(S/E) From there, the trail initially leads uphill along the main road, past the market square and the church.
Shortly after the church, hikers turn left into Bahnhofstraße and immediately afterwards right onto Kirchsteig. This continues uphill through a picturesque avenue.
At the end of the avenue, keep left at the fork and follow the path along an allotment garden towards Walthersdorf.

(1) Cross this on the Zschopautalwanderweg trail and walk downhill through a small forest.
After a sharp left turn, the path leads towards Rosenbuschzeche and past the sports field to the main road.
Cross this and then the path runs to the right, parallel to the main road.
When the route meets the main road again, turn right and then immediately left onto Alten Scheibenberger Straße, following the yellow markings.
At the forest, turn left onto Gutsweg and then right onto a forest path, still marked with a yellow hiking trail marker. The narrow path, lined with vegetation, leads steadily uphill.
When you reach a wide forest path, turn left and follow the gently ascending path through meadows and woods.
At another fork in the path, follow the yellow markings to the left until you reach the "Fichtelbergblick" viewpoint.

(2) After a short rest, continue to the right and then shortly afterwards to the left again.
Finally, follow the signs for the "Ottomar-Zahn-Steig" to the right. The path leads up to Scheibenberg via stony paths. Once at the top, keep to the right and you will reach the observation tower and restaurant in a few minutes.

(3) After a break, follow the paved descent to the left of the café and tower.
Continue downhill via a staircase and after a short time turn right: to the ski jumps for young talent (4) and the impressive basalt formation "Orgelpfeifen" (organ pipes).

(5) Continue below the organ pipes and finally turn left.
Keep right on Schnitzerweg and you will soon come to the EB and E3 long-distance hiking trails, which you follow to the left and then, just before the main road, turn left again onto a dirt track. The path leads straight back to the village.
After a large barn, keep right and after a few metres turn left to cross the B101.
On the opposite side, follow the path diagonally to the right, then turn right again and go through a tunnel under the S258.

(6) Walk along another allotment garden area to the end of the path, then turn right onto the EB/E3 along the railway tracks.
After a break in the woods, don't miss the Schillerbrunnen fountain.
The path continues through wooded areas, which later open up into beautiful countryside.
Passing well-tended gardens and lovingly designed houses, you will return to Schlettau.
After the church, turn left and follow the main road downhill back to the starting point at the castle. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 562 m - Schlettau Castle
  2. 1 : km 1.96 - alt. 600 m - Left through the allotment gardens
  3. 2 : km 5.85 - alt. 735 m - Fichtelbergblick viewpoint
  4. 3 : km 6.65 - alt. 808 m - Scheibenberg observation tower and restaurant
  5. 4 : km 7.03 - alt. 775 m - Youth ski jump
  6. 5 : km 7.43 - alt. 750 m - Basalt formation "Organ Pipes"
  7. 6 : km 9.12 - alt. 655 m - Tunnel under the S258
  8. S/E : km 13.06 - alt. 562 m - Schlettau Castle

Notes

Places to stop for refreshments:

Getting there

Public transport

  • Bus line 417 stops in Schlettau (market) and Walthersdorf (train station, centre).
  • Bus line 415 stops in both Schlettau (market) and Scheibenberg (market).

Getting there

Take the B101 or S258 to Schlettau.

Park

Parking spaces near the route:

  • Schlettau: Market, car park at the church, Naumannplatz
  • Walthersdorf: car park opposite the family centre, at the railway station, on the main road near the playground
  • Scheibenberg: several car parks at and on Scheibenberg and at the railway station

Coordinates

  • DD 50.560759, 12.951888
  • GMS 50°33'38.7"N 12°57'06.8"E
  • UTM 33U 354937 5602984
  • w3w ///redemption.magic.toys

Worth a visit

Author's tip

Enjoy the region at the numerous, lovingly designed rest areas and take the time to read the explanations of the "Sparrgusch" in Walthersdorf.

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