Circular route over Backofenfelsen and Opitzhöhe to Tharandt

Our 10.5-kilometer hike is marked with No. 3. It starts at the S-Bahn station Hainsberg-West or across the street at Heilsberger Park. From here we head to the southern steep slope of the Weißeritz valley and follow the hiking sign "Green Line" behind the bus stop up towards Opitzer Höhe. After about 1.3 kilometers, we reach our first sight, the Backofenfelsen. The Backofenfelsen, no longer geologically part of the Ore Mountains, towers about 50 meters above the valley floor of the Weißeritz near Hainsberg. Numerous benches invite you to linger. The Backofenfelsen is a geological natural monument, with rock consisting mainly of Rotliegend and a conglomerate of porphyry and granite. The caves in the rock have formed through washout and weathering. Already in 1752, the cave by the road was called "Backofen" (oven).

From here, we continue via the Förster-Claus-Weg to Opitzhöhe, which offers a very beautiful panoramic view. Since 1995, a wind turbine on Opitzhöhe has been a prominent landmark. To the right, the main hiking trail "Green Line" continues towards Weißig and Pesterwitz. We follow left No. 3 over a field path towards Tharandt. This still offers very beautiful views in all directions. On the left side of the path, we eventually see a signpost to Johannishöhe. However, we always continue on Hohe Straße with the No. 3 marking, passing above a garden allotment and further to Opitzer Weg into the valley. Almost at the bottom, we turn left into An der Schmiede street, which we follow to the church. Then we continue along Roßmäßler Straße to the market square. There are public toilets at the town hall. The small town, first mentioned in 1216, has a striking viewpoint over the city with its medieval castle complex. There are numerous places to stop for refreshment here in Tharandt.

From the town hall, we always walk left along the Schloitzbach. On the right side, we see a Netto parking lot. Opposite, on the left side of the street, the Brüderweg begins, which leads uphill into the forest. Caution! Some sections of the path are exposed, and due to the steepness of the slope, parts of the path are repeatedly covered with debris or collapse; surefootedness is required. The Brüderweg is no longer an official hiking trail. It is partly secured with iron ropes. Occasionally, you also have to cross a stream. Nevertheless, the path high up on the slope is highly recommended due to the beautiful nature. When we reach the hiking signs, we see that we were already at the start of our hike here and walk back to the starting point.

sturdy footwear

• Coming from Dresden or the A17 motorway, pass through Freital towards Tharandt. Shortly before leaving the town, turn left into Somsdorfer Straße and look for parking.
• Coming from Tharandt, immediately after entering the town, turn right into Somsdorfer Straße and look for parking.

• some free parking options near the starting point
• large free hiking car park at Weißeritzpark above the railway tracks (approx. 5 minutes walk)

• S-Bahn S3 from Dresden Hbf or from Tharandt to Freital Hainsberg-West stop
• Regional train RB 30 / Regional express RE 3 to Freital-Hainsberg S-Bahn station or Tharandt, from there further by S-Bahn (one station each) or by bus lines 344, 345, 363
• City bus line 160 (Dresden Löbtau - Freital) to Coßmansdorf stop (3 minutes on foot to the starting point)
• Regional bus lines 344, 345, 363 to Freital Hainsberg-West stop

www.freital.de

www.tharandt.de

www.osterzgebirge.org/gebiete/weisseritzu.html

In Tharandt, there is the opportunity to visit the old mountain church, the castle ruins, or the forestry botanical garden.

The Brüderweg is no longer an official hiking trail. Some sections of the path are very narrow. Also, due to the steepness of the slope, parts of the path are repeatedly covered or collapse. Surefootedness is absolutely essential. Rocky sections are partly secured with iron ropes. Occasionally, you also have to cross a stream.