Kriebstein Dam Circular Trail with Ferry Crossing

The starting point of the hiking tour is the large car park in Kriebstein (directly on Kriebsteiner Straße K8215). A large information board welcomes us directly on site and gives an overview of the location and departure times of the various ferry connections at the Kriebstein Dam.

Our hiking route runs straight ahead for about 200 meters on the asphalt road "An der Talsperre". Then a wider forest path leads to the left in the direction of Kriebstein Castle, which we follow straight ahead for about 400 meters. A signpost shows us the way to the right at a junction. Along a hill that offers a wonderful view of the Zschopau river loop and partially gives us a glimpse of the mighty knight's castle, after a left-right turn we reach the car park at the Kriebstein ice cream parlor. We then reach Kriebsteiner Straße, which we follow to the right. For the next 300 meters, it is advisable to walk downhill against the traffic due to the narrow road conditions and the lack of a footpath. Directly on the route, Kriebstein Castle, Saxony's most beautiful knight's castle, invites us on a journey of discovery back to the Middle Ages. From the outside, the closed, completely preserved building from the late Gothic period appears impregnable. The monumental residential tower with its late medieval bay turret towers 45 metres above the defensive walls. Inside the castle, from the deepest cellar to the historically preserved attic floors, you can visit the castle chapel with valuable paintings from around 1410, the Kriebstein room and the furnished interior rooms of the von Arnim family. You can even take a break in the castle tavern "Zum Hungerturm".

Below the castle portal, a finely gravelled footpath has been set up that leads us downhill across the castle car park and then to the right, following the Lutherweg Sachsen, to the Grunau Bridge. This is a sturdy metal and wood construction that spans the wildly rushing river at 83 metres. From the bridge, the castle, perched on a steep rock above the weir of the Zschopau, is once again an impressive photo opportunity. Continuing to follow the white-red-white markings and the signs to the Lochmühle, we reach a shelter after about 300 metres and shortly afterwards a stone staircase on the right. We climb the steps and continue to follow the markings along the forest path, which lead us up a few more steps to the viewing platform. At a height of 250 metres, we are treated to a delightful view of the dam and the dam wall in front of it. Two benches allow us to take a pleasant rest. The Kriebstein Dam has been a protected landscape area since 1940. It is 9 kilometers long, covers an area of ​​132 hectares and has a storage volume of 11,3 million cubic meters. The dam wall is 235 meters long at the top and is used for energy generation and flood protection.

Continuing on our forest path, we soon reach the highest point of our hiking route at 270 meters. The path winds through the forest, runs over a small wooden bridge and immediately turns right. After about 200 meters, a signpost at a larger crossroads shows us the direction to the Erlebach ferry. We cross this wider forest path, leave the shelter on the right behind us and follow the path mainly along the edge of the field for about 700 meters. Then we come to an asphalt road (Lochmühlenstraße), which we follow to the right according to the signs. It takes us in a large left and then right bend down to the former Lochmühle restaurant. We continue our hike on the signposted circular path, which on this last section is also the Zschopautal and Lutherweg. Next we take the natural but still passable Nordhäuser Weg, which takes us to a bungalow settlement. Soon after, we reach the Mittelbachschänke via a forest path that turns slightly left twice. Numerous seating areas invite you to take a rest with a view of the dam.

A narrow hiking trail along the river bank now leads past weekend properties and boat docks to the Erlebach ferry dock. Again and again, you can catch wonderful views of the Kriebstein harbor with its lake stage and the dam. The ferry leaves every hour (see timetable at www.kriebsteintalsperre.de). Once we arrive at the Kriebstein harbor, we have solid ground under our feet again and walk to the right towards the lake stage and treehouse hotel, past the dam once again, and after about 600 meters we reach our starting point, the large car park.

• Bus 642: Chemnitz-kriebstein and 678 Mittweida-Kriebstein (HP Kriebstein, turning loop)


• Bus 919: Waldheim-Mittweida and 920 Waldheim-Hainichen (HP Kriebethal)

approx. 1,50 € per person for the ferry crossing

Kriebstein Dam timetable

Kriebstein Castle Opening Hours | Prices

• Kriebstein Castle – Saxony's most beautiful knight's castle


• Rittergut Ehrenberg Cultural Center


• Kriebstein Lake Stage


• Kriebstein Dam

Cycling and hiking maps from Dr. Barthel Verlag: Döbeln, Nossen, Triebischtal and surroundings Mittweida and surroundings