Where organ pipes and views beckon – Ore Mountains magic around Scheibenberg

13.06 km long

Round trip

Difficulty: difficult

Condition: difficult

Great panorama

Hiking

Aussichtsturm Scheibenberg — © Erlebnisheimat Erzgebirge | CC-BY

Blick zurück nach Schlettau — © Erlebnisheimat Erzgebirge | CC-BY

am Fichtelbergblick — © Erlebnisheimat Erzgebirge | CC-BY

3:35 h
13.06 km
305 m
304 m
554 m
808 m
254 m
Start: Schlettau Castle
Destination: Schlettau Castle

From Schlettau Castle to Scheibenberg and the organ pipes, on the region's long-distance hiking trails.

The hike begins at Schlettau Castle – a place that breathes history and invites you to pause. From here, the path leads along the Zschopautal Trail out into nature. With every step, the view opens up to the gentle rolling landscape of the Ore Mountains as you reach Walthersdorf. A detour to the Rosenbuschzeche at the sports ground is worthwhile, and along the further path through the small village, the lovingly designed "Sparrgusch" panels provide exciting information. You leave Walthersdorf via the old Scheibenberg road, and the path leads through woods and meadows toward Scheibenberg.

At the foot of the distinctive basalt mountain, you encounter the European long-distance hiking trails E3 and EB. Follow these to the left to the hiking hut with an impressive view of Fichtelberg – a classic rest stop. Climb the summit over the rocky Ottomar-Zahn-Steig, which has a mountain inn and the distinctive observation tower. Downhill lie the ski jumps and the impressive basalt columns, also known as organ pipes, along the way.

The return path follows the well-known long-distance trails EB and E3. Over forest trails, along railway tracks, and past idyllic rest areas, the path leads back to the starting point at the castle – filled with a touch of Ore Mountains magic.

The route is not consistently marked. Please use the digital route guidance.

Start

Schlettau Castle

Blick auf den Weg von oben — © D. Günther, Erlebnisheimat Erzgebirge | CC-BY

5.09 km

Heidberg circular route

Hiking

© D. Günther, Erlebnisheimat Erzgebirge | CC-BY

5.09 km

Heidberg circular route

Hiking

Pavements

Street

Asphalt

Gravel

Trail

Path

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

Directions

The hike begins at Schlettau Castle. From there, the path initially goes uphill along the main street, past the market square and the church. Shortly after the church, hikers turn left onto Bahnhofstraße and immediately afterwards right onto Kirchsteig. This continues uphill through a picturesque avenue. At the end of the avenue, take the left at the fork and follow the path along a allotment garden area towards Walthersdorf.

You cross this on the Zschopautal hiking trail and walk downhill through a small forest. After a sharp left curve, the path leads towards Rosenbuschzeche and past the sports ground to the main street. You cross this and then continue right, parallel to the main street. When the trail meets the main street again, turn right and then immediately left onto the old Scheibenberg road with yellow markings. At the forest, turn left onto the estate road and then right onto a forest path, still marked with a yellow hiking trail marking. The narrow, vegetation-lined path leads steadily uphill.

Upon reaching a wide forest path, turn left and follow the gently ascending trail through meadows and woods. At another fork, follow the yellow markings to the left up to the viewpoint "Fichtelbergblick." After a short rest, continue right, then shortly after again left. Finally, follow the signs for the "Ottomar-Zahn-Steig" to the right. Over rocky paths, the trail leads up to Scheibenberg. Once at the top, keep right and reach the observation tower and the guesthouse in a few minutes.

After a break, follow the asphalt descent left of the café and tower. Go further downhill via stairs and then after a short time right: to the youth ski jumps and the impressive basalt formation "organ pipes." Below the organ pipes, continue and finally turn left. Keep right on the Schnitzerweg and hikers will soon encounter the long-distance trails EB and E3, which they follow to the left and shortly before the main street again turn left onto a field path. Straight ahead leads the path back into the village. After a large barn, keep right and after a few meters left to cross the B101. On the opposite side, follow the path diagonally right, then turn right again and go through a tunnel under the S258.

Along another allotment garden area, continue to the end of the path, then right on the EB/E3 trail along the railway tracks. After a hiking break in the forest, don't miss the Schiller fountain. The path continues through wooded areas that later open into beautiful nature. Past maintained gardens and lovingly designed houses, you return to Schlettau. After the church, turn left and follow the main street downhill back to the starting point at the castle.

Tour information