Hiking in Großweitzschen

Discover romantic river landscapes with unique flora and fauna and cultural and historical treasures along the Mulde Valley hiking trail.

For long stretches, the path runs along the river "Freiberger Mulde" through the Eichgrund and the beautiful landscape of the Saxon Castle Land. From the start at Mildenstein Castle in Leisnig, past the 12th-century Cistercian monastery "Buch", to the idyllic city of Döbeln, which is over 1,000 years old, this stage impresses as a great hiking experience.

The hike leads through orchards amidst the beautiful landscape of the Saxon Castle Country and ends at the river "Freiberger Mulde", where Mildenstein Castle rises above the town of Leisnig.

Varied hike along the Mulde from Leisnig to Döbeln. There is a lot of culture and nature to discover following in Luther's footsteps.

On the Muldental hiking trail along the Freiberger Mulde from Nossen to Bad Düben, nature and cultural-historical sights, narrowness and spaciousness, typical floodplain landscapes and wetlands as well as flora and fauna alternate continuously over nine stages.  

Partly on the Lutherweg, we avoid asphalt sections and choose the lovingly laid path that connects the viewpoints above the monastery.

> From the plaza in front of the Döbeln 01 main train station, we turn left across the parking lot, go down a few steps to Lindenallee/B 175, pass through the railroad underpass, and continue to the bridge over the Freiberger Mulde. On the north bank of the river, we immediately turn left onto the bike path, walk through garden plots, cross the Mühlbach, and follow Alexanderstraße to the left. The “Lutherweg” leads to a passable dead end. After crossing the Gärtitzer Bach, we keep to the left, walk under the B 169, and continue through the Freiberger Mulde Valley to Technitz 02. At first, we follow the “red bar” and “red dot” markings; later, we follow only the “red bar.” At the village square, we follow the “red bar” toward Westewitz or the “Lutherweg.” We walk to the left past the pretty half-timbered house and along the base of the church. Where the Leipzig–Döbeln railroad line crosses the Freiberg Mulde, the Zschopau River flows into it. We can see it from our path, which now runs to the left of the tracks for a while. At the “Kanuheim,” we cross to the other side of the tracks and hike along a narrow paved road to Westewitz03. Next to the Westewitz train stop, we use the railroad crossing and note the old signpost, where we turn right onto Scheergrundweg. Immediately afterward, we follow the “Lutherweg” to the left onto a footpath, then shortly after turn right onto Muldentalstraße. At the Muldentalklause restaurant, we cross the Freiberger Mulde and walk for quite some time along the narrow road next to the river. We ignore any roads leading away from the river. This brings us along the “Lutherweg” to the Westewitz high weir, where we continue along the narrow road. After crossing the Ziegenbach, the paved road ends. At the first opportunity, we turn left and head toward the forest.Upon reaching the edge of the forestat 04, we do not turn right immediately, but instead walk straight ahead for a few meters into the forest. There, we leave the “Lutherweg” by turning right and following a hiking trail marked with a “red bar.” Cyclists stay on the “Lutherweg,” follow it until near Paudritzsch, and ride down the road to Klosterbuch. Our hiking trail winds its way up the slope through the Maylust Nature Reserve. The old mixed deciduous forest was once a park. In the mid-19th century, Chief Forester Oswald May had hiking trails and lookout points laid out. First, we descend a steep flight of stairs. Once back on the upper trail, we follow it to the right and make a detour to the second lookout point. Once again, we use the “red bar” as a guide. At the Wettin memorial stone 05, inscribed with “1089–1889”—with a bench in front of it—we turn right. The old “Klostersteig” trail descends through a dry valley. At a stone table at the valley’s exit, we keep to the left to reach the road. We cross the Mulde River and walk along the road to the former Cistercian monastery, Klosterbuch06. Burgrave Heinrich von Leisnig founded it in 1192. In 1365, Leisnig became the margrave’s administrative seat, while the monastery was partly under the authority of the Bishop of Meissen. As early as 1520, the Protestant movement had gained a foothold in Leisnig. After the death of the last abbot, Antonius, the monks were allowed to remain in the monastery, but from about 1527 onward it was placed under electoral administration. In 1544, the last monks left their home. After the Schmalkaldic War, the Leisnig region passed to the Albertines. We can learn more about its history at www.klosterbuch.de and during a guided tour.From Easter through October, we can enjoy a meal at the monastery tavern “Zum Frohen Mönch” (www.gasthof-klosterbuch.de). Afterward, we follow the road to the railroad crossing. Then we keep left twice, following the road “Am alten Weinberg” westward. We walk uphill on a wide path through the grounds of the school farm. We ignore the “Rundweg 4” turnoff. After a left turn, we hike through the forest. Our trail runs high above the Mulde Valley. At one point, it splits into two routes: We take the left path and enjoy the view at Riedelsteig07. After a few more minutes along the edge of the slope, the trail heads downhill. We cross the Eulenbach. With a view of Mildenstein Castle, we walk alongside the railroad tracks until we reach a paved turning loop. The rock formation above in the forest is the Teufelskanzel 08; there’s a bench at the bottom. We continue along the edge of a meadow and press on along the Riedelsteig: the Freiberger Mulde to our left, rocks to our right. In the Fischendorf neighborhood of Leisnig, we pass garden plots, a factory complex, and industrial ruins before turning left at the former “Getränke-Shop” toward the right-of-way sign. Here, we follow the sidewalk along the two-lane forest road to the right. Wecross tothe other side of the river via the pedestrian bridge 09. We cross the railroad tracks and follow Schlossberg Street, which curves to the left and leads uphill. Of particular interest are the repeatedly painted lettering on some of the houses that once housed shops. We can take a short break on a bench by the Eselsbrunnen fountain. After passing house No. 11, we take note of the “porphyry heads” at the former Niedertor gate. From here, we walk on cobblestones. At the bakery, we continue straight ahead onto Schlossstraße and, in front of the tavern, turn left toward Mildenstein Castle 10 (www.burg-mildenstein.de). It is one of the oldest castles in Saxony. During a tour, we’ll explore the Romanesque castle chapel, the Gothic granary, the medieval knights’ halls, and the infamous Wettin prison. From the keep, we’ll enjoy the view. On the castle hill, the Jubilee Linden Tree is also worth a look. And if you still have time, visit the Boot Museum, which is dedicated to the centuries-old shoemaking craft in the town of Leisnig. One route of the “Luther Trail” leads across the market square to the train station. We choose the other route. At the tavern, we walk straight ahead into the cobblestone street with steps and then turn left around St. Matthäi Church. We catch sight of the Reformation beech tree and follow the “Luther Trail” to the left into an alley. The painted tiles on the Luther benches 11 depict scenes from the history of the Reformation. The school route ends at the former Bastei Hotel and Restaurant across from the old post office. Here, we look for the staircase on the left, which takes us further down the valley. We cross Bergstraße and Friedrich-Naumann-Straße, pass the daycare center, walk straight ahead on concrete slabs to the Leisnig train station 12, and take the train to Döbeln.

Ich muss mal diese App testen, bin sonst bei komoot