Karl May Hiking Trail
- 3:30 h
- 12.43 km
- 215 m
- 210 m
- 343 m
- 465 m
- 122 m
- Start: Karl May House
- Destination: Karl May House
Following in the footsteps of one of Germany’s most famous writers, the Karl May Hiking Trail winds through his birthplace, Hohenstein-Ernstthal. This loop trail connects numerous sites closely associated with Karl May’s life and work with varied stretches of countryside around the town.
The starting point is the Karl May House, the writer’s birthplace and now a museum. From here, the trail leads, among other places, across Neumarkt—where a bust of Karl May stands—and past St. Trinitatis Church, where Karl May was baptized in 1842. Historic buildings and informational signs along the route tell the story of his childhood, his family, and various stages of his eventful life.
The route then leaves the city limits and heads toward Oberwald. Along the way, you’ll find, among other things, a Western ranch, the serpentinite quarry with its biotope, and the legendary Karl May Cave. It is said that Karl May once sought refuge here while being pursued by the police.
The trail eventually leads back to Hohenstein-Ernstthal via forest paths. Passing the Textile and Racing Museum as well as other sites related to Karl May, you’ll arrive back at the Karl May House.
Good to know
Pavements
- Unknown (1%)Street (5%)Asphalt (31%)Gravel (30%)Trail (15%)Path (18%)
Best to visit
- suitableDepends on weather
Directions
- Some routes are well marked.
Tour information
Cultural Interesting
Loop Road
Directions & Parking facilities
- Getting thereBy public transportation
- By train to Hohenstein-Ernstthal Station (the Karl May House is about a 10-minute walk from the station)
By car:
- Take the A4 to the Wüstenbrand or Hohenstein-Ernstthal exit
- Take the B180 along Goldbachtalstraße
- Take the B173 toward Nutzung/along Nutzunger Straße
ParkingDirectly across from the Karl May House, there is a small parking lot at the corner of Mittelstraße and Karl-May-Straße for visitors arriving by car.Alternatively, you can park at the hiking parking lot near the Rabensteiner Forest
. Additional information
- Click here to visit the Karl May Hiking Trail page on the Hohenstein-Ernstthal website
Literature
Author
Vanessa Hähnel
Organization
Tourismusverband Chemnitz Zwickau Region e. V.
License (master data)
Vanessa Hähnel
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
- Our Tips for Explorers
- Karl May House
- Karl May Cave
- Hohenstein-Ernstthal Textile and Racing Museum
- PURPLE PATH Artwork: Medusa Motorbike by Caroline Mesquita
Nearby
Download GPX file