Iron Curtain Trail (Vogtland)

29.74 km long
Difficulty: difficult
Condition: difficult
Great panorama
Long-distance cycling route

© FVV Rosenbach/ Vogtl. e.V./ A.Wetzel | CC-BY-SA

© Archiv FVV Rosenbach/ Vogtl. e.V., Andreas Wetzel | CC-BY-SA

2:15 h
29.74 km
363 m
365 m
470 m
609 m
139 m
Start: Tri-border area near Prex
Destination: German-German Museum Mödlareuth

The "Iron Curtain" divided Europe into East and West for over 40 years. Along the former border strip, the European Cycle Route No. 13 (Iron Curtain Trail) was created, making European history, politics, nature, and culture tangible.

In Vogtland, the main route of the Iron Curtain Trail runs on the Saxon side and an alternative route (EuroVelo 13a) on the Bavarian side. The route connects the tri-border area (Bavaria-Saxony-Bohemia) near Prex with the German-German Museum in Mödlareuth. Various buildings such as former watchtowers and information boards about escape attempts or forcibly resettled villages recall the history of Germany’s and Europe’s division. Additionally, the cycle path passes through a unique fauna and flora. For decades, the border areas were untouched by humans.

On the Bavarian side, you have connections to the following further cycle routes: Vogtland Cycle Route, Green Roof Cycle Route, Cycle Route through Bavaria’s Stony Corner, and Saale Cycle Route. More information can also be found at: www.bayerninfo.de.

The Iron Curtain Trail connects to the long-distance cycle path Saxon Central Uplands and via this also to the Elster Cycle Path.

Start

Tri-border area near Prex

Destination

German-German Museum Mödlareuth

Pavements

Street (46%)

Asphalt (27%)

Gravel (23%)

Trail (2%)

Path (2%)

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

Directions

Prex - Nentschau - Posseck - Gassenreuth - Sachsgrün - Loddenreuth - Wiedersberg - Heinersgrün (Santa Clara Chapel) - Kandelhof - Gutenfürst (train station) - Grobau - Dreifreistaatenstein - Mödlareuth (museum).

Tour information

Cultural Interesting

Directions & Parking facilities

Getting there

The journey to Hof leads via the A 9 Berlin-Munich or via the A 72 from Leipzig via Chemnitz to Hof. Take the Töpen exit on the A 72 to reach Töpen via the B 2. Turn right here towards Mödlareuth.

For starting at the tri-border area, drive in Hof onto the A 93 to the Regnitzlosau exit. Continue towards Oelsnitz and turn right at Nentschau towards Prex.

Parking

Parking is available - depending on the starting point of the route - at the German-German Museum Mödlareuth or in the village of Prex near the tri-border area.

Public transportation

For starting at Mödlareuth, it is recommended to travel by Vogtlandbahn from Zwickau via Plauen to Hof with bicycle transport. You can also get off at the former border stations Gutenfürst (from the direction of Hof) or Feilitzsch.

For starting at the tri-border area near Prex, it is recommended to travel by train from Hof towards Selb. Get off at Rehau. Alternatively, take the Oberpfalzbahn from Hof via Selb to Asch and then join the route via the long-distance cycle path Euregio Egrensis to the Iron Curtain Trail.

Please inquire at the Vogtland Tourism and Transport Center about the possibilities for bus and train travel: www.vogtlandauskunft.de or phone 03744 / 19449.

Additional information

Further information is available at the Vogtland Mill Quarter & Burgstein area office in Leubnitz (https://www.burgstein.de/) and via the following links:

ICT EuroVelo 13: https://de.eurovelo.com/ev13

bikeline cycling guide: https://www.esterbauer.com/db_detail.php?buecher_code=ICTN3_E

Literature