By steam through the valley - between railway romance and the sound of the river

9.12 km long
Difficulty: easy
Condition: very easy
Hiking
  • 2:30 h
  • 9.12 km
  • 52 m
  • 193 m
  • 539 m
  • 732 m
  • 193 m
  • Start: Jöhstadt station
  • Destination: Steinbach station
From Jöhstadt, the easy hike leads to Steinbach, with the Pressnitztalbahn always close by.

The starting point of this special route is Jöhstadt train station – the centerpiece of the Pressnitztalbahn. This historic museum railway was rebuilt with tireless commitment by an association and is continuously being further developed. A true piece of living railway history!

From the station, the path leads along the forest edge with a beautiful view of the Ore Mountains town of Jöhstadt. After the vehicle hall, hikers enter the shady forest. The path now follows the railway track – and simultaneously the babbling Schwarzwasser river. A lovingly designed resting place invites you to take the first break on the way before the path reaches the small village of Schmalzgrube.

Here, a detour to the Schmalzgrube ironworks is worthwhile – a historic testimony to mining and today part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region. Those continuing hike follow the valley path through quiet forest, past further resting places with views of water and nature.

Soon, the Andreas-Gegentrum-Stolln is reached – another relic from the times of active mining. From here, it is not far to Steinbach station – the end point of the route.

Good to know

Pavements

Street
Asphalt
Gravel
Trail
Path

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

The starting point is Jöhstadt station. From here, you hike uphill towards the forest and keep left there. From this point, follow the signage of the ridgeway to the left. After a section along the forest edge, the path leads to the vehicle hall of the Pressnitztalbahn. Behind it, hikers cross the street and climb a short way uphill before the path turns right into the forest. From here, it goes straight ahead along the railway tracks and the Schwarzwasser river to Schmalzgrube. In the village, you leave the ridgeway and turn left. From the main street, turn left onto Floßzechenweg and continue along the Schwarzwasser and the tracks. Past the Andreas-Gegentrum-Stolln, the path finally leads to Steinbach station, where the hike ends.

Tour information

  • Cultural Interesting

  • Stop at an Inn

Directions & Parking facilities

B95 to Gasthof & Pension Morgensonne or B174 to Reitzenhain

various parking options:

Jöhstadt: at the vehicle hall (Schlösselstraße 65), ski area parking lot (Gründelweg), Pressnitztalbahn parking lot (Schlösselstraße), museum parking lot (Am bhf 78), parking lot at the train station (Äußere Bahnhofstraße 133B)

Steinbach: Bahnhofstraße 5, parking lot at the dog sports club (Hauptstraße 1A)

by bus 430 from Annaberg

Bus stops in Steinbach, Schmalzgrube, and also in Jöhstadt

Additional information

Author

Anni Borrmann, TVE

Organization

Erlebnisheimat Erzgebirge

License (master data)

Anni Borrmann, TVE
License: no copyright required (Public domain) (no copyright)

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

The return trip can be ideally made with a ride on the historical museum railway of the Pressnitztalbahn – including nostalgic flair and the feeling of a steam locomotive.

Safety guidelines

Pay attention to possible train traffic when crossing the tracks.

Nearby