Get to know and love the romantically situated Zschopau valley. "Conquer" the castles and fortresses high above the Zschopau on foot! Marking: white-red-white, possibly with castle logo
Stage 1 - Fichtelberg to Tannenberg / 23 km
The starting point of the hike is Germany's highest town, the spa town of Oberwiesenthal with the Fichtelberg - the source of the Zschopau river. The Fichtelberg plateau offers a magnificent view over the entire Ore Mountains. Crottendorf - famous for its traditional smoked candle production - and Schlettau Castle are well worth a visit on this stage.
Stage 2 - Tannenberg to Thermalbad Wiesenbad / 8 km
The hike leads from Tannenberg via Schönfeld and Wiesa to the spa town of Thermalbad Wiesenbad - known for its healing thermal water from the Georgsquelle spring. Worth seeing on this stage is the Passklausentrum in Tannenberg, which is part of a medieval moated castle. We also recommend a visit to the mining and Adam Ries town of Annaberg-Buchholz with its important late Gothic church of St. Annen and numerous museums and show mines.
Stage 3 - Thermalbad Wiesenbad to Zschopau / 21 km
Thermalbad Wiesenbad is an ideal place to relax and unwind. You should definitely plan a visit to the "Miriquidi" thermal baths or the well-kept spa gardens. Via the "Himmelmühle" mill, you reach the mountain town of Wolkenstein with its historic market square and castle. The Scharfenstein adventure castle and Wildeck Castle are further highlights of this wooded stage.
Stage 4 - Zschopau to Augustusburg / 14 km
From the motorcycle town of Zschopau, the hiking stage heads towards Witzschdorf to Hennersdorf. The route leads past the covered wooden bridge (technical monument) to Augustusburg. An absolute must is a visit to the Augustusburg hunting lodge with its museums and exhibitions as well as the beautiful old town with the town church of St. Petri.
Stage 5 - Augustusburg to Frankenberg / 17 km
On foot or by cable car to Erdmannsdorf. From here, the trail leads to Flöha. This is where the river of the same name flows into the Zschopau. Via Niederwiesa to Braunsdorf - past the historic weaving mill - you come to Lichtenwalde and finally to Frankenberg. The highlight of the tour is Lichtenwalde Castle with its baroque garden, which is one of the most beautiful.
Stage 6 - Frankenberg to Mittweida / 12 km
Near Frankenberg, Sachsenburg Castle rises on a rock above the Zschopau - a castle complex from the early 13th century. Through the Schönborn mining area, along the mining nature trail, you reach the visitor mine "Alte Hoffung Erbstolln" in Schönborn. The route continues via Dreiwerden through the Schweitzerwald forest to Mittweida. The listed old town, museums and the hydroelectric power station are well worth a visit.
Stage 7 - Mittweida to Waldheim / 16 km
There are many hiking and leisure opportunities along the Kriebstein dam from Mittweida. Kriebstein Castle rises on steep rocks above the Zschopau and is an absolute highlight. Further along the river there is plenty to discover, e.g. Liebenhain waterfall or Ringethaler Raubschloss. The stage finish is Waldheim - the "pearl of the Zschopau valley".
Stage 8 - Waldheim to Döbeln / 13 km
Waldheim's landmark is the town hall with its town hall tower decorated with Art Nouveau elements. From here, the route leads past the Diedenhain and Limmritz railroad viaduct towards Schweta. This is where the Zschopau flows into the Freiberg Mulde and is also the end point of this stage. We recommend a visit to the town of Döbeln with its historic town houses in the town center and the Nikolaikirche church.
