Water sports centre - Lochbauer - Reissig - Pfaffenmühle - Nymphental - Devil's Pulpit - Summer retreat Friedrich-August-Stone - Elster valley bridge - Barthmühle station - Jocketa station - Trieb valley - Magdalene bench - Altjocketa - Dobris - Ruppertsgrün - Panorama path Neudörfel - Talsperrenblick - Whirlpool - Mosenturm - Ship landing stage - Water sports centre
The route starts at the Panorama Restaurant and leads past the fencing of the water sports centre to the road crossing between the natural outdoor pool and the climbing forest. Here we cross the main road and take the forest path straight ahead for about 1 km until the junction to the Elster riverside path branches off to the left. This becomes a single trail that leads us steeply down to the hiking trail. Arriving in the valley, we turn left and follow the path at the rock faces to a short root passage. There we take a hidden trail to the left, which crosses the railway tunnel above the steep slopes of the Elster at the forest edge, until at the next junction we turn right again into a steep downhill path to the Elster riverside. Arriving in the valley, we follow the path to the left, a beautiful single trail to the railway bridge on the other side of the tunnel. The railway viaduct is crossed and for about 1.5 km you run along the main hiking trail on the Elster riverside, past Lochbauer, straight on towards Plauen.
At the sewage treatment plant, the path leads steeply uphill again to the right. You pass the soldier's grave and continue towards the Reißig forest house, where we cross Pfaffengutstraße at the hiking car park. We take the narrow path directly into the wood until we reach the main hiking trail towards Pfaffenmühle. There we turn right and run downhill past Pfaffenmühle into Nymphental up to Devil's Pulpit. After crossing the wooden bridge and the stream, we take the next opportunity to turn left and run uphill again, past a small reservoir to the viaduct in Röttis. Here we turn right onto the field path to Friedrich-August-Stone. Upon arrival at the summer retreat, be sure to take a short break and enjoy the view into the wild romantic valley where the Trieb flows into the Elster.
Our route now leads us directly to the Elster valley bridge, which we cross at the highest arch and then sharply turn left. Here we run to the next junction, which leads us right down a steep downhill back into the Elster valley. Arriving at the bottom, we turn left towards Barthmühle station (Gera – Plauen Mitte railway line). A great view of the White Elster with the impressive Elster valley bridge is offered here. After crossing the railway crossing, we turn right into a nice technical but runnable trail ascending to Jocketa station (Leipzig/Zwickau – Plauen/Hof railway line). Passing a small park, we turn right before the station to the Elster valley bridge, which we cross again at an upper arch - this time on the other side of the bridge. Our path now leads down into the Trieb valley via partly difficult-to-run steps. A short detour to the world's second-largest brick bridge is recommended here. It is the only one of its kind that can be crossed on foot. A great view over the valley of the White Elster is breathtaking…
At the mouth of the Trieb, we now take the main hiking trail, which is technical and partly rocky through the beautiful Trieb valley. Past the Loreley rock, we run to the first opportunity to ascend to the Mosenturm by turning right. The path leads steeply, partly root-covered, uphill to the Huthausplatz, where a prehistoric fortification was located. Here the short and long distances split.
The long distance leads left back into the Trieb valley, past the Friedenshöhe. Here too, a short break is worthwhile to enjoy the wonderful view of Jocketa and the Trieb valley. In a technical downhill, it goes steeply down over roots, stones and steps to the bridge at the Pyramid Meadow. From here, we cross the Trieb again and turn right, immediately going uphill again to the Magdalene bench. Here the steep climb is rewarded with a great view of the dam and the Eisenberg with Mosenturm. We continue following the path but turn left immediately at the beginning of the village, passing the Indian tent in a rapid downhill and taking the next turn right to the country inn "Altjocketa".
Our route continues around the fire-fighting pond, uphill to the brightly painted power house, where a hiking trail branches off to the left. We continue uphill, past the forest clearing with meadow to the forest edge. Here a hidden path branches off to the left, which leads steeply uphill again to the formerly densely forested Dobris. Here we turn left again onto the hiking trail towards Ruppertsgrün, which we follow to the outskirts of the village. On Ziegelhüttenstraße, we run right towards Neudörfel with a wonderful view of Kuhberg near Netzschkau. Past the brick houses, it goes to the junction of the panorama path, which we follow gently uphill to the right. At the highest point, three benches invite you to linger to enjoy the panoramic view over the Pöhl Dam. Until the church in Altjocketa, we follow the panorama path, cross the Neudörfel street and run behind the church downhill towards the Talsperrenblick restaurant.
At the Talsperrenblick, we use the footpath towards the dam wall. In front of this, a steep and technical trail leads down to the valley floor and the whirlpool. Here we cross the Trieb again and take the first turn left, which leads us to the final climb past the Huthausplatz to the Mosenturm. On the summit of Eisenberg, you should climb the Julius-Mosen-Tower. Here you enjoy a 360° view over the Pöhl Dam, the Elster and Trieb valleys far into the Vogtland.
The last kilometre of the route runs downhill. At the first opportunity, we turn left and run to the road crossing just before the dam. We take the path along the shore of the Pöhl Dam, past the ship landing stage and climbing forest to the finish at the Panorama Restaurant / Water sports centre.
