Sebnitz - Kirnitzschtal cycle loop

This route is signposted with a red dot as part of the right Elbe cycling network. Sebnitz, the home of artificial flowers, is the starting point of the varied route.

The route starts at the National Park station Sebnitz. From here, it goes to the market square of Sebnitz. There, turn right onto Kirchstraße. After the city church "Peter and Paul," turn left into Pfarrgasse, which shortly thereafter leaves to the right into Friedhofstraße. At the fork, turn onto Obergasse, which you follow to the S 165. The first steep climb awaits along the Albert-Kunze-Weg and is rewarded at the Hohe Straße junction with a wonderful view. Follow the route to Hinterhermsdorf. The route is marked with a red dot on a white background. On the way, you pass the Richtermühle and the Gnauckmühle. You also often come across traditional half-timbered houses in the villages. Hinterhermsdorf marks the entrance to the Kirnitzschtal, where further mills (Räumigtmühle, Buschmühle, Neumannmühle, Felsenmühle) can be found. Some host gastronomy, only the Neumannmühle is still operational and can be visited. In the Kirnitzschtal, you can expect a relaxed approx. 10 km descent to the Lichtenhainer waterfall, which is a real Kirnitzschtal curiosity. How many waterfalls flow at the push of a button?
Shortly after the waterfall, with a sharp right bend, the route leads uphill to Lichtenhain. In Lichtenhain, follow Talstraße, then turn right onto Hauptstraße and after about 200 m, turn left into Neue Straße. Shortly afterward, cross the S 154 on the right and follow Ulbersdorfer Weg to Ulbersdorf.  After a winding descent, you reach the Sebnitz valley, where there is the option to shorten the return route to Sebnitz by taking the Saxon-Bohemian Semmering railway.

Those who want to cycle further ride uphill through Ulbersdorf past the church and castle, cross the S 165 towards Krumhermsdorf. The next 500 meters are an 18% gradient, and at the top, you reach the highest point of the route (416 m). From here, you have a beautiful view towards the Ore Mountains. At the entrance to Krumhermsdorf, the path leads right towards Schönbach. To stay on the Sebnitz / Kirnitzschtal cycle loop, turn right into "Goldgruben" in Schönbach. After passing under the railway underpass, shortly thereafter you reach the S 165, which you turn left onto.
At the height of the shopping center, turn right onto Ulbersdorfer Weg and follow it until you meet the S 154. Follow this left for about 100 m until before the bridge. There, according to the cycle route signage, turn right into Hainersdorfer Weg. Follow the Hainersdorfer Weg and Lessingweg to the bus station. There, turn left towards the roundabout. Take the first exit via Schandauer Straße until you reach the market square again. Follow the same way as at the beginning of the route to reach the station.