From the Iron Cross over the Rabenauer Alberthöhe

Our route begins at the tourist parking lot above the Weißeritz Park shopping center. We cross the tracks of the Weißeritztalbahn, walk to the right towards the city, pass the Coßmannsdorf stop until the street An der Kleinbahn ends. Following the Hainsberger Straße to the right, we follow the hiking signs Green Dot and Green Line. For better orientation, the entire route is additionally marked with the number 9 on trees and lampposts. After about 100 meters, we turn left into the Weißeritzgäßchen and walk until we reach Rabenauer Straße. We continue along it for about 300 meters and then turn right into Kirchstraße. After about 200 meters, we follow the Green Line over the small bridge of the Vorholzbach and climb the ascent to the Iron Cross on the Schulbusch slope. The 17-meter-high, 2.5-ton Iron Cross was erected in 1934 for the Hainsberg victims of the First World War. After enjoying the view over Hainsberg, we follow the Green Line to Vorholzwald. Later it goes downhill again and halfway up towards Eckersdorf. At the outskirts of the village, we turn left and follow the Green Line over Gimpel to Kirchberg. On the "deceleration bench" a rest with a wonderful view over Freital is worthwhile. Then it goes downhill again to Obernaundorf. We cross Poisenwaldstraße and reach Marktsteig after 500 meters. Here is a bench from which you have a nice view of Lerchenberg.

The path continues to the right, following the Red Dot marking towards Rabenau. After 600 meters, there is a parish lime tree planted in 1855. From the round bench, we have a beautiful view of the listed water tower built in 1920 and the distinctive school of Rabenau. We continue following the Red Dot to the center of Rabenau. Here there is the possibility to visit the Chairmaking Museum. It attests to the old craftsmanship that has been cultivated and still is in Rabenau, Germany's oldest chairmaking town, for almost 400 years. The variety of chairs on display, the collected historic tools and woodworking machines are probably unique in Germany. Also worth seeing are the town hall, church, and the chair fountain inaugurated in 2001.

Then we walk along Freitaler Straße, after the left curve half-right into Hainsberger Straße and after about 50 meters half-left into Höhenstraße. We follow it to Hotel König-Albert-Höhe. Fifty meters ahead on Galgenberg stands the confessional monument erected in 1832, dedicated to the "Augsburg Confession," the most important confession of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. From the monument, restored in 2017, you have a magnificent view over Freital and the surrounding hills. There is a covered seating area here for a picnic and a large telescope - without a coin slot.

The hiking trail number 9 now runs right around the viewing area towards the large radio tower. After about one kilometer downhill towards Hainsberg, we reach the about 300-year-old Rollmops tavern. A visit to the historic inn is highly recommended.

Afterwards, it is only about 1,000 steps back to the starting point, first downhill on Rabenauer Straße and then left onto the path "An der Kleinbahn."

sturdy footwear

A17 exit Dresden-Gorbitz, direction Freital to Dresdner Straße, then continue towards Tharandt, in Hainsberg turn left into Rabenauer Straße, then right to Weißeritz Park.

Coming from Dresden via Tharandter Straße to Freital, then continue as described above via Dresdner Straße.

Large tourist parking lot next to Weißeritz Park, about 300 free parking spaces

• By city bus line 160 (Dresden-Löbtau - Freital-Hainsberg) to the "Coßmannsdorf stop"
• Buses of lines 345 (Kurort Hartha-Tharandt-Freital), 348 (Dippoldiswalde-Rabenau-Freital), and 363 (Klingenberg-Tharandt-Freital) also stop here
• By S-Bahn S3 (Dresden-Tharandt) or Regional Train RB 30 to Freital Hainsberg station and from there continue by Weißeritztalbahn or line A

If you have time, you should definitely visit the Chairmaking Museum in Rabenau.