Waldheim Ridge Circular Route

From the town hall, built in Art Nouveau style from 1898-1902, cross the Zschopau Bridge built by Pöppelmann in 1713, along Mittweidaer Straße turn right into Härtelstraße. About 50 m on the left through the portal. Up the stairs, past the Catholic Church, you reach the rondel at the end of Carolastraße. Following the small path, continue over the disused Kriebethal rail track up to Schillerhöhe. Through the deciduous forest to Carolahöhe and down the steps to the scaffolding pillar viaduct. Here turn right and proceed on Mittweidaer Straße to the Heiligenborn railway viaduct. Immediately right through the viaduct reaching Sauergras and onto Vogt-, Süd-, and Hauptstraße. Walk left along Hauptstraße to the playground and turn right to the bridge over the bypass. From here there is a good view of the Diedenhain railway viaduct. Downhill past the Waldfrieden inn, through the viaduct left towards Meinsberg. It's worth briefly pausing on the Meinsberger bridge to admire on the left side Europe's largest dry stone retaining wall along the railway. A path leads right to the forest edge, uphill you reach Spitzberg and the cross rock. Your effort is rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view over Waldheim and the Zschopau valley up to Kriebstein Castle. In the foreground on the left is Germany's oldest still operated penal institution. Staying on the circular hiking route, continue to Alberthöhe and over the bridge uphill to Hufe and down again to Gebersbacher Straße. Cross this towards Breitenberg. After the stream bridge, turn right up the meadow path, then top left into Massaneier Straße. After about 200 m turn right into the small path towards Lutherhöhe. Here you have a beautiful view of the town encircled by green heights. Steps lead back to the street on Breitenberg, right down to Morteltal, cross the road and take Hangstraße uphill to Wachberg. The 20 m high lookout tower once again offers a beautiful panoramic view over Waldheim and its surroundings. Past the hotel "Goldene Höhe" go down 220 steps into the valley 70 m lower to Kriebsteiner Straße. A few meters left on the Zschopau bank you see the Napoleon Stone, which commemorates the crossing of Napoleon's troops over the Zschopau in May 1813. Parallel to the river walk back into town. Upon reaching Oberwerder, you see on the right Kellerberg, a show mine. Continue over Oberwerder to Obermarkt to the starting point, the town hall.