Ridge trail stage 08 "From Bärenstein to Fichtelberg, Oberwiesenthal spa town"
- 6:30 h
- 18.00 km
- 698 m
- 317 m
- 717 m
- 1,215 m
- 498 m
- Start: Bärenstein, hiking parking lot uphill
- Destination: Fichtelberg, Oberwiesenthal health resort
First of all, we head downhill to the Cranzahltalsperre dam, which was built between 1949 and 1952 to provide drinking water for the town of Annaberg. With the help of the FDJ youth organization, it was completed within three years. During this time, it was nicknamed the "Dam of Friendship". The benches at the end of the 500 m long dam wall are inviting. We hike to the Toskabank, named after the head forester's daughter. For many years, a bench with a group of deer stood on the rocks at Toskaberg. Unfortunately, it was completely destroyed on Ascension Day. Today, thanks to the people of Neudorf, we can once again enjoy a beautifully carved seating area. Enjoying the silence, we stroll towards Kretscham - Rothensehma. Soon you can see the Fichtelberg and hear the honking and whistling of the Fichtelbergbahn, which still runs daily between Cranzahl and Oberwiesenthal. If your legs are tired, you can even get to Oberwiesenthal from here at 25 km/h. Otherwise, simply take a short break at the water treading facility and then continue with renewed vigor. After crossing the railroad tracks, we follow the Floßzechenweg, Bärenfangweg and Stümpelweg uphill. You can stop off at the "Waldeck" sports hut before the ascent. Now it's time to mobilize the last of your strength. We climb Saxony's highest mountain via the Himmelsleiter and the Amtssteig. Once we reach the top, we enjoy the panorama and sleep heavenly well.
Milestones: Bärenstein mountain - Cranzahl dam - Toskabank rest area - Kretscham-Rothensehma - Bimmelbahn adventure trail - Kreuzbrückfelsen - Fichtelchens adventure trail - Rotes Vorwerk - Amtssteig - Fichtelberg plateau
Waypoints
Good to know
Pavements
- Street (1%)Asphalt (8%)Gravel (27%)Trail (50%)Path (14%)
Best to visit
- suitableDepends on weather
Directions
At the Bärenstein summit access parking lot, we follow the markings in the direction of Cranzahl. We soon reach the Cranzahl dam on mostly natural paths. The trail continues over the 500 m long dam wall of the drinking water reservoir onto the paved, straight peat road. On the way, we reach the "Toskabank" rest area, which offers seating for a break. Via Fürstenweg and Wiesenweg past the stone pyramid in Kretscham-Rothensehma, we reach the forest nature trail. This 1400 m long trail, lovingly laid out by the Neudorf forest district, with water treading basins and rest areas, presents the forest habitat under the conditions of the low mountain range. On the Bimmelbahn adventure trail, we can encounter the Fichtelberg Railway, which has been running several times a day between Cranzahl and Oberwiesenthal with a steam locomotive for over 100 years. A short trip by train from Kretscham station to Neudorf to the soup museum or to the Weihrichkarzl foam factory provides unforgettable impressions. The Kammweg leads hikers along the Yellow Trail. Climbing steadily from the foot of the Fichtelberg, you approach Oberwiesenthal, which at 914 m is the highest town in Germany. A short detour to the Kreuzbrückfelsen rest area is worthwhile via the Floßzechen and Stümpelweg.
Continue along the Bärenfangweg to Waldeck or to the hotel of Olympic ski jumping champion Jens Weißflog. From the Himmelsleiter ski slope, you can mobilize your strength once again on the cross-country ski trail to climb Saxony's highest mountain at 1215 m via the Amtssteig. Caution: Here in the headwaters of the Zschopau, a section of around 200 m can be very wet and muddy at times. The Fichtelberg is the second highest mountain in the Erzgebirge after the Keilberg at 1244 m on the Bohemian side. A special attraction is the cable car, built in 1924 and therefore the oldest in Germany, which connects the summit and the town center with a height difference of 303 meters. While Oberwiesenthal is known beyond its borders as a winter sports resort, the spa town also attracts visitors outside of the winter season with relaxing and extravagant activities. A beautiful post distance column on Oberwiesenthal's market square bears witness to the predecessors of the narrow-gauge railroad, the stagecoaches. Discover the mountain town, which is also home to globally successful winter sports athletes.
Tour information
Stop at an Inn
Summit
Equipment
Weatherproof clothing, sure-footed shoes and rucksack provisions are recommended.
Directions & Parking facilities
- Getting therefrom Annaberg via B95 to BärensteinParkingHikers' parking lot uphill Bärenstein
Parking lots in Kurort Oberwiesenthal
Public transportation Additional information
Author
Birgit Knöbel
Organization
Erlebnisheimat Erzgebirge
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
Hiking chapel and stone pyramid in Kretscham-Rothensehma
Fichtelberg narrow-gauge railroad
Viewpoints Toskabank, hiking chapel, Kreuzbrückfelsen, Amtsfelsen
Detour to Neudorf with soup museum and smoked candle workshop
Fichtelberg - the highest mountain in Saxony
The highlight at the end of the day or with an additional day in Oberwiesenthal: ride on the monster scooter - info
Safety guidelines
Caution: At the Amtssteig from kilometer 132, the section over about 500 m as the source area of the Zschopau is partly very boggy, we recommend using the detour via Ausrücke, Hirschfalzweg and Reitsteig.
Map
Overview map Kammweg Erzgebirge-Vogtland, scale 1 : 25,000, Publicpress-Verlag, ISBN 978-3-89920-658-6, Leporello, weatherproof and tearproof, retail price: € 14.90
Hiking, skiing and cycling map Kammweg Erzgebirge-Vogtland, scale 1 : 35,000, Dr. Barthel Verlag, ISBN 987-3-89591-059-3, retail price: €10.90