Multi-Stage Tour: Saxon Low Mountains Long-Distance Bicycle Route and Erzgebirge Bicycle Highway

Schöna – Geising: From the Elbe to the Mountains

Start: Schöna-Schmilka (train station) Destination: Geising (train station)

From the train station, ride a short distance downstream along the Elbe to the “Saxon Low Mountains” route; follow this route uphill toward Schöna, passing the towering Kaiserkrone rock formation (351 m), Zirkelstein (384 m), and the Großer Zschirnstein (561 m)—the highest peak in Saxon Switzerland. The rocky landscape of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in the background is simply breathtaking! Passing through Kleingießhübel and Cunnersdorf, and by the Waldbad, we reach Rosenthal after a ride through the woods. Bizarre sandstone formations such as the “Sachsenstein,” “Herkulessäulen,” and “Großvaterstuhl” in the Bielagrund offer breathtaking panoramic views and invite you to linger. Continuing along clear streams, we arrive at Hellendorf in the Bahratal, one of the districts of the spa town of Bad Gottleuba-Berggießhübel. Oelsen, the Gottleuba Dam, and Breitenau are further stops before we pass under the A17. Having now reached the Eastern Ore Mountains, we continue uphill toward Fürstenwalde, leave the Müglitz Valley toward Fürstenau, and soon catch sight of the Kohlhaukuppe (786 m). A detour there is quite strenuous, but it’s well worth it for the fantastic view from the tower. Continuing on the RSM, a beautiful bike path leads to the stage’s destination at the foot of the Geisingberg (824 m), which features a lookout tower. In Geising, with its historic town center, the SM route turns left, but the stage ends straight ahead at the train station.

Geising – Olbernhau From the Eastern Ore Mountains to Toyland

Start: Geising/Train Station Finish: Olbernhau-Grünthal/Train Station

From Geising, we follow Route SM uphill toward Zinnwald, passing sites that bear witness to mining history, the “Vereinigt Zwitterfeld” exhibition mine, the Georgenfelder Hochmoor, and the Lugsteine, and then along Trail 30 to the Kahleberg (905 m). From the highest point of the Eastern Ore Mountains, we look out over the spa and sports town of Altenberg with its “Raupennest” spa center, the Galgenteiche, the Binge, the Geisingberg (824 m), as well as Dresden, Saxon Switzerland, and—on a clear day—even the Giant Mountains in the distance. Now the route heads downhill through a spruce forest to Rehefeld-Zaunhaus and continues along the German-Czech border next to the former Nossen-Moldava railway line, which was decommissioned in 1972, passing Neuhermsdorf and its railway museum. From Teichhaus, the bike route leads uphill to Oberholzhau, offering a magnificent view of the Mulde Valley. Relaxation is guaranteed on the long, straight stretch known as “Ringel” leading to the hiking parking lot. From there, we travel via Cämmerswalde, above the Rauschenbach Dam, to Neuhausen, home to Europe’s first Nutcracker Museum, featuring over 5,000 wooden nutcrackers. Passing Purschenstein Castle in the town center, the route now leads uphill to Schwartenberg (789 m) with its panoramic views, then on to the resort town of Seiffen, which has become world-famous as the center of Erzgebirge woodcarving and for its Baroque round church. A stop to visit the Toy Museum or one of the many demonstration workshops is definitely worth it. Continuing our journey, we follow the trail markers to Heidersdorf, up through the Erzgebirge village and across the Hüttengrund, past the Gnade-Gottes-Erbstollen, into Olbernhau, the “City of the Seven Valleys.” We conclude the tour at the Saigerhütte historic complex. The Olbernhau-Grünthal train station is located in the immediate vicinity.

Olbernhau – Wiesenbad Thermal Spa From Toyland to the Thermal Spa Region

Start: Olbernhau-Grünthal/Train Station Destination: Wiesenbad Thermal Spa/Train Station

From the Olbernhau-Grünthal train station, after exploring the adjacent Saigerhütte site—a museum complex dedicated to non-ferrous metallurgy that is unique in Europe—the RSM trail leads us through Dörfel, up through beech forests, and into the Kriegwaldmoore bird sanctuary. Via the Viererweg trail, we descend into the Schwarze Pockau Valley. The Schwarzwassertal Nature Reserve is the perfect spot to rest and catch our breath before continuing our ride across the valley to the mountain village of Pobershau. Once we arrive at the picturesque resort on Dorfstraße, we recommend visiting the “Molchner Stolln” exhibition mine by following the road downhill. Continuing in the opposite direction toward Gelobtland along the low mountain range route, we pass the Böttcherfabrik, which features various exhibitions. Continuing along Brettmühlenstraße, we reach the Rätzteich Tourism Center with its forest swimming area. From Gelobtland, we ride downhill and catch a glimpse of the mountain town of Marienberg with its striking St. Marien Church. Passing through the only preserved Renaissance “ideal city” complex north of the Alps, we arrive in Lauta at the horse-powered hoist at the Rudolphschacht mine. Here we get a vivid sense of how the region’s development was shaped by mining. Continuing through the industrial park toward Hilmersdorf, we ride to the spa town of Warmbad, home to Saxony’s oldest and warmest healing spring. Let’s treat ourselves to some relaxation in the spa gardens before crossing the B101 and heading back uphill to the small mountain town of Wolkenstein. In the historic town center, the castle, perched high above the clouds on an 80-meter-high mountain spur, evokes memories of the Middle Ages. The route now leads down into the legendary Zschopau Valley, past the train station and along the river valley through Niederau and Himmelmühle to the thermal spa town of Wiesenbad. This eventful stage ends at the train station next to the spa park. Relaxing at the “Therme Miriquidi” thermal baths recharges you for the next day of cycling.

Thermalbad Wiesenbad – Schwarzenberg From the thermal spa region via Annaberg-Buchholz to the Pearl of the Ore Mountains

Start: Thermalbad Wiesenbad/Spa Park Finish: Schwarzenberg/Train Station

Train-Bus: Bus connection at Platz des Friedens in Eibenstock toward Aue, Johanngeorgenstadt, and Schönheide to the train stations

The tour starts in the spa park of Thermalbad Wiesenbad. After a short climb, we reach Mildenau. From there, the route continues through Königswalde, below the Pöhlberg, to Annaberg-Buchholz. The route leads straight through the old town, past St. Anne’s Church, the “Manufaktur der Träume,” and the market. Passing the Frohnauer Hammer—featuring a fully functional 17th-century hammer mill—the route continues to Schlettau. Passing the castle, the tour continues along the route of the Erzgebirge Scenic Railway to Scheibenberg. From a distance, you can see the unique basalt columns known as the “organ pipes” and the observation tower. Via the Emmlerweg, we enjoy a fantastic panoramic view of the thousand-meter-high Keilberg, Fichtelberg, and Auersberg, as well as Raschau-Markersbach with its modern and historic bridges and the “Oberbecken” reservoir of the Markersbach pumped-storage power plant, before we reach Schwarzenberg, the pearl of the Ore Mountains. Here, it’s worth visiting the old town with its castle, church, and fountain featuring a Meissen carillon.

Schwarzenberg – Eibenstock: Cycling through the Western Ore Mountains

Start: Schwarzenberg/Train Station Destination: Eibenstock/Town Center

Train connections (in):

1) Aue/train station: After reaching Bockau, turn right onto the Mulderadweg, ride through the tunnel toward Aue to the train station (stage length approx. 18 km)

2) Johanngeorgenstadt/train station

For the next stage, ride to Oberwildenthal on the RSM and, before the border gate, take the KammTour via Oberjugel to Johanngeorgenstadt; before the border crossing, turn left toward Breitenbrunn until you reach the train station (stage approx. 39 km)

Starting at the Schwarzenberg train station, we ride above the idyllic Schwarzwasser River and across the historic, covered wooden Neuwelt Bridge—also known as the Hammerbrücke—to Lauter, home to the “Alte Laborantenkunst” spirits museum. As we leave town, the route continues along forest trails to Bockau, the “laboratory village” with a tradition of producing medicinal and herbal liqueurs—a tradition you can experience at the “Wurzelbucke.” Going downhill, we reach the Mulderadweg. Passing through the old railroad tunnel in the opposite direction of the RSM is a special experience. On the way back, we continue along the upgraded old railroad embankment of the former Chemnitz–Aue–Adorf line to Blauenthal, where several bike routes intersect. Here, the RSM also follows the main route of the Karlsroute along the Große Bockau. Along the way, we come across the Blauenthal Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Saxony. At the turnoff toward Eibenstock, we leave the RSM and follow the signs to the Eibenstock city center, the destination of this stage.

Eibenstock – Bozi Dar From Saxony to the Czech Ore Mountains Ridge

Start: Eibenstock/City Center Destination: Bozi Dar/Center

Train connection: Start in Johanngeorgenstadt via the Kammtour to Grenztor (stage length approx. 32 km)

Oberwiesenthal/Train Station From Bozi Dar, we take the RSM/23 connecting route to the border crossing and then continue on the II-25 to the train station. (Stage: approx. 44 km)

From the start in Eibenstock, we take the Euregio Egrensis long-distance bike trail toward Sosa downhill and, in the Große Bockau valley, turn right onto the RSM, which is also the Karlsroute. Climbing steadily uphill, we reach the hammer-making village of Wildenthal and, via Oberwildenthal, the “Grenztor” border crossing. Continuing along the Karlsroute, we come to the Erzgebirge Magistrale No. 23. A short, relaxing downhill stretch awaits us to the small village of Jeleni (Hirschenstand), before the route climbs again past the Scheffelsberg and Zaječi vrch (Rammelsberg, 1,009 m) into the mountain town of Horni Blatna (Platten). And those who wish can take the detour to the observation tower on Blatensky vrch (Plattenberg, 1,043 m). Back on Route 23, we reach Myslivni (Försterhäuser) with its pond and join the Christkindweg, a child-friendly themed trail leading to Bozi Dar (Gottesgab), the birthplace of Anton Günther, the folk singer from the Ore Mountains. This is where the stage ends.

Bozi Dar – Kalek: From Keilberg to the Chomutover District

Start: Bozi Dar/Center | Destination: Kalek

Train connection: To the start: From the Oberwiesenthal train station via the II-25 to the border crossing, then the R23 (stage approx. 53 km).

Olbernhau/Train Station

From Kalek, we take the RSM/23 connecting route through Rübenau and meet up with the RSM to the north, which we follow to Olbernhau and the Grünthal train station. (Stage approx. 61 km)

From the center of Bozi Dar (Gottesgab), we follow Route 23 past the Neklid and Klinovec (Keilberg, 1,244 m) ski areas, the highest peak in the Ore Mountains. From the viewing plateau, featuring a reconstructed observation tower that reopened in 2013, there is a sweeping panoramic view of the Ore Mountains and large parts of Northern Bohemia. The route continues effortlessly past other peaks over 1,000 meters high all the way to Medenec (Kupferberg). Here, mining artifacts and minerals can be viewed in the visitor mine. Continuing downhill, we reach the Pressnitz Dam, a drinking water reservoir for the people of the Eger Valley and Northern Bohemia. Here, we turn off at the 50-meter-high dam wall and head uphill along Jeleni Hora (Haßberg, 993 m), following the German-Czech border through the raised bog area to Načetin (Natschung) and on to Kalek (Kallich), a small mountain village at 700 m above sea level with a mountain church visible from afar. The stage ends in this border town.

Kalek – Cinovec: Over the Ore Mountains ridge into the Eastern Ore Mountains

Start: Kalek; Destination: Cinovec/parking lot at the golf course

Train connection: To the start: From the Grünthal train station on the RSM line to Königsweg; from there, take the connecting route to Kalek (stage approx. 67 km)

From Cinovec, we cross the border, ride along the RSM route until just before Kahleberg, and turn right onto the connecting route to the train station in Altenberg (stage approx. 58 km).

On this stage, with its constant ups and downs, we ride through Rudollice and Maly Haj—with its church visible from afar at 900 m above sea level—to Mikulovice (Niklasdorf) and Nova Ves (Gebirgsneudorf). Continuing directly along the Schweinitz River, which forms the border, we reach Mnisek (Einsiedel),

Staying on Route 23, the Flaje Dam soon comes into view. Here, the bike route splits into Routes 23a and 23, but we continue to follow Route 23 and circle south of the dam, which impounds the Flöha River and supplies drinking water to the Most district. Climbing uphill again, we pass the Grünwaldské vřesovištĕ high moor area on our way to Nove Město (Neustadt). Continuing along the mountain ridge past the Georgenfeld raised bog, right on the border, we reach the stage’s destination: Cinovec (Bohemian Zinnwald).

Cinovec – Dĕčin: From the Eastern Ore Mountains to the Elbe

Start: Cinovec/parking lot at the golf course Destination: Dĕčin/main train station

We start in Cinovec, passing the Church of the Assumption of Mary and a spring, and ride leisurely along Route 23 through forests to the turnoff for Komáří hůrka (Mosquito Hill). Along the way, the view from the new Semihurska vyhlidka rest area is well worth stopping for. A detour to the Mosquito Tower—home to the oldest observation tower in the Ore Mountains—is highly recommended. You can also reach the summit via the oldest and longest cable car, which runs up from Graupen/Bohosudov (Mariaschein); bicycles are also transported. After enjoying the panoramic view, take Route 23 to Fojtovice (Voitsdorf), Adolfov (Adolfsgrün), and on to Krasny Les (Schönwald). After passing under the A 17/D8 highway, we arrive in Petrovice and then in Tisa, the gateway to the Tissaer Wände rock formation, which was designated a natural monument in 1996. An educational trail winds through the sandstone formations, which are popular with climbers. Route 23 continues on to Snĕžnik. Here, too, we recommend a stop at Děčínský Sněžník (Hohen Schneeberg) to visit the observation tower. Via Maxičky, we then ride steeply downhill to the Elbe city of Dĕčin (Tetschen), following the Elbe River to the main train station, our final destination. The Renaissance castle with its Baroque rose garden, the Schäferwand with its zoological garden and via ferrata are just a few of Dĕčin’s attractions.

Recommendations for accommodations along the route are available from the Erzgebirge Tourism Association (Tourismusverband Erzgebirge e.V.).

Tel. +49 (0) 3733 188 00 0 / info@erzgebirge-tourismus.de

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