From view to view between Annaberg-Buchholz and Schlettau

13.10 km long

Round trip

Difficulty: difficult

Condition: difficult

Great panorama

Hiking

die imposante Annenkirche ragt aus dem Stadtbild von Annaberg-Buchholz heraus — © Erlebnisheimat Erzgebirge | CC-BY

Frohnauer Hammer von innen — © Photoron, Erlebnisheimat Erzgebirge | CC-BY

Fachwerkgebäude am Frohnauer Hammer — © TVE, Erlebnisheimat Erzgebirge | CC-BY

3:40 h
13.10 km
364 m
364 m
524 m
695 m
171 m
Start: Frohnauer Hammer, Annaberg-Buchholz
Destination: Frohnauer Hammer, Annaberg-Buchholz

The hike combines the three long-distance trails E3, EB, and Zschopautal trail into a challenging but dreamlike route with incredible views.

This versatile route begins at the historic Frohnauer Hammer. It is one of the best-known landmarks of Annaberg-Buchholz and a fixed part of the UNESCO World Heritage Montanregion Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří. A visit is worthwhile before heading uphill on the opposite side along the street, always following the European long-distance trail E3.

The first climb along the street is challenging but worth every effort: right after the last houses, wide views open up over Annaberg-Buchholz with the impressive St. Anne's Church and the distinctive Pöhlberg. A real panorama to take a deep breath.

After the climb, the path turns left and leads past picturesque small huts that resemble enchanted "witch cottages." Across fields and heights, the route continues along the ridge to "Dörfler Höhe," with constantly changing but consistently fascinating views. Take your time here for sufficient breaks. After a short forest section, the descent into the valley begins – here too, impressive distant views accompany the path before reaching the small village of Dörfel.

After a short section along the street, the path turns back into the green. Now the tour follows the Zschopautal trail to the left. It goes through a varied natural landscape, past moss-covered forests, with constantly changing views. Soon the pretty natural swimming pool Schlettau greets from the wayside; shortly afterward Schloss Schlettau is reached. It is another highlight of this tour, inviting you to stay with its exhibition and castle park.

From Schlettau, it goes back to Annaberg on the EB trail. The hike initially climbs the old Buchholzer street, a magnificent avenue. The climb is worth it as the view opens again wide over the landscape: from Scheibenberg over small villages, meadows, forests, and avenues to the Fichtelberg.

Shortly before the destination, another unforgettable viewpoint awaits with the Teufelskanzel: high above the valley, Annaberg-Buchholz is visible again. The famous St. Anne's Church towers so mightily over the roofs of the town that the other buildings look like a dollhouse stage set. Also, on the last section back to the Frohnauer Hammer, it remains visible again and again: sometimes as a dominant landmark, sometimes only with the tip of the church tower rising above the horizon. At the end, hikers return fulfilled by fascinating wide views to the starting point.

Pavements

Street

Asphalt

Gravel

Trail

Path

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

Directions

The hike begins at the Frohnauer Hammer. From there, hikers follow Albertstraße uphill and orient themselves on the E3 marking. Don't miss the right turn onto the main street. Continue uphill to the last houses, where you keep left and follow the path until it meets a street. There the path turns left again. At Dörfler Höhe, shortly before a small wood, it goes right and finally into the forest. Follow the path downhill until you reach the Dorfstraße in Dörfel. Here hikers turn left.

After crossing Talstraße, turn left at the turning loop and then immediately right onto Dörfler Kirchsteig. After crossing the Zschopau, keep left at the next intersection and from here follow the signage of the Zschopautal trail. Stay always on the main path, past the natural swimming pool, and continue on the street to the castle park. Cross this and the hike leads left onto Buchholzer Straße. After a few hundred meters, the street makes a right curve; here go straight on to Alte Buchholzer Straße and follow the EB marking.

The path leads uphill through an avenue and further over the crest until the upper outskirts of the village are reached. Turn left there, right at the cowshed, then cross Dörfler Weg and follow Dahlienweg. You leave this path to the left toward Teufelskanzel. At the next intersection, hikers turn right and continue straight ahead. After the Frohnau volunteer fire brigade, keep left, turn left again at the main street and after a few meters right to reach the starting point at Frohnauer Hammer again.

Tour information