Vogtland Knollensteig

Train - stop Hundsgrün - Elstertal - old Marieneyer Street - potato house - Unterwürschnitz - church path Tirschendorf  - Willitzgrün - agricultural cooperative Tirschendorf e. G. - Marieney - Würschnitzbachtal - Hundsgrün.

The hike begins at the Hundsgrün station, the path leads us along the Elster valley in the forest towards Unterwürschnitz.

We cross the Würschnitztbach and come to the potato house. According to tradition, the wandering journeyman Kummerlöw cultivated the first potatoes in Vogtland here. Since people were very superstitious at that time, only the blossom was used as a flower. Everything that grew underground was considered devilish and was not allowed to be eaten.

Now we begin the ascent into the village of Unterwürschnitz, where hikers have the opportunity to learn even more about potatoes at the Erlebnis Ferienhof Wilfert. The farm grows about 200 potato varieties (original potatoes, old and own varieties), which are processed in the guesthouse. During a potato tasting, you can enjoy the delicate potatoes or watch the show planting and enjoy the remaining blossom splendor.

Then we proceed towards the church; it is worth taking a detour for a visit, featuring a carved wooden altar and an organ by Trampeli from 1712 with 11 registers and 692 pipes, as well as the smallest oldest bell from 1506. We leave the village of Unterwürschnitz and hike towards Tirschendorf.

Just before entering the forest, we enjoy the magnificent view over southern Vogtland towards Bavaria. The hike takes us through the forest over the Tirschenbach to the village of Tirschendorf, where there is the possibility to take a detour to the agricultural cooperative and admire the variety of modern technology. It continues across meadows and forests towards the village of Marieney, the birthplace of Julius Mosen, known for his homeland songs. A detour to the museum is always worthwhile.

Now it goes through the village to one of the most beautifully situated valleys in Vogtland, the Würschnitzbachtal, to Unterwürschnitz. We experience pristine nature; if we are very quiet and still, we can hear the call of the kingfisher or notice the cuckoo’s cry. If we are very lucky, we see two black storks flying above us. Returning to the potato house, the route ends back at the starting point Hundsgrün station.

Tourist Information Schöneck

Hohe Reuth 9, 08261 Schöneck, 037464 330011, www.schoeneck.eu 

Vogtland Knollenring:

http://www.vogtlaendischer-knollenring.de/index.php?open=knollensteig 

Hosts:

Erlebnis-Ferienhof of the Wilfert family: Tel.: 037421 23462, www.ferienhofwilfert.de 

Snack bar:

Landfleischerei Willitzgrün, Dorfstraße 208606 Willitzgrün
Phone: (037421) 22539

Links

www.gemeinde-muehlental.de 

www.sachsens-museen-entdecken.de/index.php?id=14&tx_museen_pi1[item]=669 

Church Unterwürschnitz, Erlebnis Ferienhof Wilfert

The approx. 17 km long route runs mostly on paved forest and field paths and about 1 km on the road