ElsterWasserWeg - Elster Hiking Trail

The charming Elster Hiking Trail ElsterWasserWeg (formerly Nature Experience Plauen - Pöhl Reservoir Hiking Times 2) begins at the parking lot opposite the inn at Waldhaus Reißig. From here it's only a few minutes' walk to Falconry Hermann. A visit to eastern Germany's largest falconry is not to be missed. During the flight show, with spectacular dives of falcons, the majestic flight of eagles high in the sky, and the silent hovering of owls, one experiences pure goosebumps.

The hiking trail now leads towards the Pfaffengut Environmental and Nature Conservation Center. A short detour is worthwhile to learn stories about life on the manor and interesting facts about nature, the four elements, and the rock types of Vogtland. Before leaving Pfaffengut, you can admire the two wildcats Wilma and Walli on the Wildcat Jump Adventure Trail on their discovery tour.

Following the trail downhill, you reach the historic Lochbauer Farm, a three-sided courtyard built in 1648 that invites you to rest in a picturesque setting.

Refreshed, you now cross the babbling White Elster over the wooden bridge – a great photo motive!

After a climb through the forest, you can let your gaze wander over the beautiful Vogtland hilly landscape and walk along fields up to the 432-meter-high Eisenberg to the Julius Mosen Tower. Climbing the tower is rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view of the Pöhl Reservoir and the lush green central Vogtland hilly landscape with the Elster Valley and the Elstertal Bridge all the way to the Western Ore Mountains.

After a few minutes, you have a wonderful view at the next Peace Hill viewpoint towards the Elstertal Bridge, the Loreley Rock, and to Jocketa, before you enter the Trieb Valley Landscape Protection Area via the Pyramid Meadow. The babbling of the Trieb and the rustling of the leaves offer pure relaxation. You pass the largest Douglas fir in the Trieb Valley, mossy stones, and rugged rocks before you see the Elstertal Bridge, the second-largest brick bridge in the world, in its full splendor.

Note: Due to construction work on the Elstertal Bridge (expected until mid-2026), the hiking trail currently does not lead over the Elstertal Bridge but first to Jocketa and from there back down into the valley of the White Elster, which is crossed over the bridge in Barthmühle. On the other side of the river, the path goes through an archway under the Elstertal Bridge and along the Vogtland Panorama Trail® (an official quality route of Wanderbares Deutschland) to the Devil's Pulpit – a striking greenstone rock. Here the trail turns off into the idyllic Nymphental. Along the Kaltenbach creek, it goes uphill to the Pfaffenmühle excursion inn with a cozy rustic beer garden.

 Further note: Due to the closure of the bridge over the Kaltenbach, the path currently leads alternatively via Röttis and Pfaffengutstraße to Pfaffenmühle and not through Nymphental.

After a break at Pfaffenmühle, you can take the return path to the starting point through the city forest and the wildlife trail or alternatively continue the recommended route to the state-recognized resort Jößnitz. The historically grown place enchants with an old village center, various half-timbered buildings, old farmhouses with gardens, and the timber-framed house from the first half of the 17th century, a castle, and a castle park. At the Jößnitz train station, it is possible to start the return journey with the Vogtlandbahn.

The starting point of the hike is located in the north of the city, above the Reißig industrial area (turn right into Pfaffengutstraße after the second roundabout).

The parking lot is on the left side of Pfaffengutstraße, opposite the Waldhaus Reißig.

Free parking lot on Pfaffengutstraße opposite the Waldhaus Reißig 

by bus: PlusBus line 40 to Reißig Schmiede stop - from there only a few meters to the starting point

by tram: line 4 to the final stop Preißelpöhl, about 2 kilometers from there to the starting point

by Vogtlandbahn: to the Jößnitz stop, 1.7 km from there to the starting point or start from Jößnitz in the opposite direction

Tips along the route:

Falconry Hermann

Pfaffengut Plauen - Vogtland Environmental and Nature Conservation Center

Path of Trees

Lochbauer Farm

Pöhl Reservoir with boat dock, leisure garden, dam (short detour from the trail)

Julius Mosen Tower lookout tower

Trieb Valley nature reserve

Elstertal Bridge - second-largest brick bridge in the world

White Elster river course in the Elster Steep Slopes Nature Reserve

Devil's Pulpit - striking greenstone rock

Wildly romantic Nymphental

State-recognized resort Jößnitz with historic village center, castle, and castle park (detour at Pfaffenmühle)

Wildlife trail

Places to eat:

Waldhaus Reißig (Pfaffengutstraße 6, phone: 03741/521230, closed on Mondays)

Lochbauer (Pfaffengutstraße 30, phone: 03741/526641, open Thursday to Sunday)

Panorama (Hauptstraße 44 in Möschwitz, phone: 037439/440111, open daily during the season except Mondays)

Bistro am Ankerplatz (Hauptstraße 50 in Möschwitz, phone: 0179 2438285, open April to October)

Pfaffenmühle (Pfaffenmühlenweg 18, phone: 03741/525772, closed Wednesday and Thursday)

Note: Disruption of hiking trails in the area of the Elstertal Bridge 

Due to extensive construction work on the Elstertal Bridge, hiking trails in this area are expected to be disrupted from February 2022 until mid-2026. Therefore, the hiking trail does not currently lead over the Elstertal Bridge but via Jocketa.

Enjoy green dumplings, bamboo specialties, mushroom rods, or roulades during a break along the hiking trail – Vogtland cuisine offers a culinary delight for every taste.

Hiking map Vogtland Switzerland, Plauen, Oelsnitz and surroundings from Dr. Barthel Verlag