Zschopau Valley –
valley of the castles
h
The Zschopau river with its
tributaries drains the biggest part of the Ore Mountains. It rises
directly at the highest Saxon mountain Fichtelberg in 1140 m altitude and
meanders from there 80 km deeply carved through the Ore Mountains to the
town of Floeha. Further it runs through the Saxon Hill Land and finally
flows near Doebeln into the river Mulde.
The river’s course is hemmed by a lot of castles,
which are mostly high above the river on rugged rocks. You find these
witnesses of former times especially numerous in the Middle Ore Mountains.
At our route we pass the Scharfenstein
Castle
and the Wildeck
Castle
in Zschopau.
Map
Quick view
Quality print |
Wildeck Castle in
Zschopau |
The Family route
This family bike route
goes through the narrow Zschopau Valley from Scharfenstein to Zschopau (or
reverse). From Scharfenstein we take the Zschopautalradweg for some
kilometres. Just before Wilischthal you can use the road for 500 m,
because the bike path (dotted line) resembles an obstacle course in this
passage. In Wilischthal we push our bikes through the railway underpass
and cross both the Zschopau
river
and Wilisch
creek.
Beyond them we go on the comfortable hiking path Zschopautalwanderweg
directly along the river up to the town of Zschopau. If you want to stay
on the left side of the river to reach directly the historical centre with
the
castle,
you have to carry your bike some steps upstairs (dotted line). To avoid
the steps you cross the river on a boardwalk just under the high motorway
bridge (not on the map), pass a company´s ground (will be tolerated), turn
to the left and get directly to the railway station. |
