How would you like to arrive?
- 18:55 h
- 4,892 m
- 4,890 m
- 260 m
- 915 m
- 655 m
- 239.46 km
- Start: “Göltzschtalbrücke” bridge near Mylau / Netzschkau
- Destination: “Göltzschtalbrücke” bridge near Mylau / Netzschkau
The 225 most beautiful kilometres through the Vogtland start and end at the “Göltzschtalbrücke”, the world's largest brick bridge. With 12 daily stages between 12 and 24 kilometres, the circular route is manageable for most experienced hikers. However, shorter tours are also possible in the individual sections. Via the steep track called the “Köhlersteig”, the trail first leads you in direction of Greiz in the Thuringian Vogtland, then through Vogtland Switzerland and westward past Plauen, the town of lace.
The next stages cross the legendary Burgstein region, past the Pirk dam and Oelsnitz, before the Vogtland Panorama Trail reaches the Saxon State Baths of Bad Elster and Bad Brambach. After a detour to the Czech Republic, hikers will find themselves in Markneukirchen where they can experience the so-called “Musikwinkel” (musical corner) with its long tradition, including the towns of Erlbach and Klingenthal. Here, the 936m-high Aschberg mountain is already waiting. The trail continues through Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz with the German Space Travel Exhibition to the Grünheide Forest Park where it turns towards the Western Ore Mountains until the town of Schönheide becomes visible. Behind the village of Wernesgrün, famous for the Wernesgrüner Beer, soon Rodewisch and Lengenfeld come into view, then the stately Mylau Castle, until the trail finally reaches the place where it started, the Göltzschtalbrücke bridge.
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Best to visit
Directions
From the world’s largest brick bridge, the idyllic steep track “Köhlersteig” leads you through the wild and romantic gorge of the Göltsch river all the way to its mouth into the Weiße Elster river. A truly adequate start before the trail continues, not less beautifully, upriver alongside the Elster to the Elstertalbrücke bridge near Jocketa.
Stage 2:
From the Elstertalbrücke the trail heads for the beautiful historic town of Plauen, the capital of the Vogtland. A worthwhile extension leads you into the Vogtland mill area, to the mysterious dragon’s lair in Syrau, Saxony’s only natural stalactite cave, and on to the last smock mill in the Vogtland.
Stage 3:
From Zwoschwitz, the third stage passes through the hilltop landscape at the heart of the Vogtland, then grazes the Pirk dam and crosses the former mining area of Schönbrunn – Huthaus. The destination is the historic town of Oelsnitz where Voigtsberg castle is already visible from afar.
Stage 4:
From there, you continue south to the Saxon State Bath of Bad Elster. But first, the trail takes a little detour through the valleys and forests of the Elster mountains, almost all the way to the German-Czech border.
Stage 5:
From one state bath to another, the fifth stage of the Vogtland Panorama Weg® follows the border between the Czech Republic and Germany. Seasoned hikers should be sure to take the alternative route across the roof of the Elster mountains: Hainberg Mountain (Czech: Haj).
Stage 6:
From Bad Brambach, the tour continues to the viewing tower on Kapellenberg mountain and back again to the Saxon State Bath. The 759m-high hilltop provides a far-reaching view of the nearby Egerland region. If you like what you see, an alternative route via Schöneck will bring you closer to this lovely landscape.
Stage 7:
This stage is steeped in culture and leads you straight through the “Musikwinkel” (musical corner) to Markneukirchen, the capital of the manufacture of musical instruments. On the way, the Vogtland open-air museum in Landwüst is worth a visit.
Stage 8:
The foothills of the mountain range at the crossover from the Elster mountains to the Ore Mountains set the scene for this stage. Although the trail still leads through a valley, it already gives a first pleasant taste of the up-coming days in the mountains.
Stage 9:
The first real mountain stage can be tackled quickly and “painlessly” on a direct route via Klingenthal to Aschberg Mountain. In this way, you will have enough time for a stroll through the town of musical instruments and winter sports.
Stage 10:
The stage via Morgenröthe-Rautenkranz to Vogelsgrün is all about the stars. At the German Space Travel Exhibition, you will learn all about the Russian and US-American space missions.
Stage 11:
Today, you will leave the mountain landscape of the Vogtland. One last high mountain needs to be conquered. Then, it’s a long descent to Rodewisch where you will reunite with the Göltzsch river after 10 days. The destination is almost within eyesight!
Stage 12:
The final stage back to the Göltzschtalbrücke bridge has begun. One final ascent to Wilhelmshöhe Mountain promises yet another panoramic view from the Perlaser viewing tower before the trail heads back to the starting point via Mylau Castle.
Tour information
Cultural Interesting
Stop at an Inn
Equipment
Directions & Parking facilities
For further information you can contact the Vogtland tourism and traffic centre at +49 (0)3744 19449 or www.vogtlandauskunft.de (in German language).
Additional information
Göltzschtalstraße 16
08209 Auerbach
Telefon: +49 (0) 3744 188860
Literature
Author
Tourismus Marketing Gesellschaft Sachsen mbH
Organization
Vogtland - Sinfonie der Natur
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
- Erlebniswelt Musikinstrumentenbau® Vogtland in Markneukirchen – experience the age-old craft of the world-famous manufacturers of musical instruments.
- The largest brick bridge in the world – the Göltzschtalbrücke
- Vogtland Arena Klingenthal – most modern ski jump in Europe
Safety guidelines
Map