From Freital along the Rote Weißeritz through the Rabenauer Grund

Our hike begins at Freital-Hainsberg West S-Bahn station. From there, we cross the tracks on Somsdorfer Straße and the Wilde Weißeritz on Hainsberger Straße and the Rote Weißeritz. At the left-hand bend, we go straight ahead and reach the Freital-Coßmannsdorf station of the Weißeritztalbahn. Now we turn right on the road "An der Kleinbahn" and walk straight on past the shopping center in the direction of Roter Weißeritz. After a few hundred meters, the road turns into the "Rabenauer Grund". A bridge leads us over the river, on whose banks we now keep left and upstream. The rugged rock faces rise up on our right and we soon come to the "Nadelöhr" rock tunnel, which inspired the 19th century painter Ludwig Richter to create several paintings. In the river bend, the narrow gorge widens a little and we pass a hydroelectric power station. We soon pass the Arthur Lohse Bridge and the entrance to the Theler Tunnel. The tunnel was once used to mine ore. Then we pass the legendary Nixentump, of which the legend says: "Old Nix lived here, he helped the farmers without pay. He had two beautiful daughters who bleached their laundry. But when Fidelton sounded from Lübau, they fled to the boys. They danced freely and unbound and were gone by midnight." We then continue along the banks of the Rote Weißeritz and reach the Planwiese meadow, where benches and tables invite us to take a break. In spring, the tasty wild garlic grows here. Following the meanders of the river, our path winds on to the Rabenau mill, where there is also a stop for the narrow-gauge railroad. The mill, which was first mentioned in a document in 1235, is now home to a hotel and restaurant. We continue south of the mill through the forest and cross the river a little later. We continue along the riverbank and soon reach Spechtritz, where we follow the hiking trail past the rest area and cross a footbridge to reach the Spechtritz stop.

Light hiking boots

The hiking trail through the Rabenauer Grund is well developed and pleasant to walk. Numerous small paths and trails branch off from it and lead to the well-known rock formations, such as the Devil's Pulpit above the Somsdorf Gorge. Detours are worthwhile, but require surefootedness and good footwear.