Circular hike from Schildau to Schildberg

Our hike to Schildberg starts at the Gneisenau monument on the market square in Schildau. From here we follow Marktstraße and after a few steps we reach the only “Museum of the Schildbürger” in Germany. The exhibition presents an extensive collection of Schildbürger books, a model of the legendary triangular town hall without windows as well as the history of the Schildbürger and their old crafts. Passing the Schildbürgerbrunnen fountain, we cross the intersection and follow Eilenburger Straße to the next junction. Via Kobershainer Straße (K8903) we reach Kohlweg, which turns left. The Schildberg is a landmark even from afar. The path leads us through fields and meadows directly into the forest area of ​​the Dahlener Heide. Following the signs, we reach the Schildberg. The 26 m high Schildberg Tower offers a fascinating view over the Dahlener Heide, the town of Schildau and the surrounding villages. The observation tower was built in 1936 from quartz porphyry from the quarry at the foot of the mountain and is open every Saturday from March to October from 11 a.m. to 18 p.m. when the weather is good (call 0152 / 01986360 or 034221 / 50606). A comfortable rest area with information boards invites you to linger. After a relaxing break we hike towards Heßlers Schlucht and reach the S-Weg. This forest path takes us to Witte’s quarry. On the left we pass an old boundary stone that commemorates the former boundary between the kingdoms of Saxony and Prussia. We follow the S-Weg and cross the Wurzener Straße (S23). After a few meters we have to open an unlocked gate in a forest clearing in order to continue along the path. The S-path now leads us to the Bronze Age burial mounds, with 32 mounds the largest occurrence in the Dahlener Heide. Due to the peculiarity of the burial (cremation), they are assigned to the Lusatian Urnfield culture. We continue walking and after a short time we reach a crossroads. Here we keep left, leave the S-path and follow the A-path. The hiking trail leads us out of the Dahlener Heide and along the edge of the forest we reach the next major junction. A weather shelter here invites you to take a rest. There is also the possibility to take a detour to the small town of Ochsensaal with its quaint restaurants (approx. 1 km off the route). But we follow the A-path and a few minutes later we cross the Schmannewitzer Straße (K8982) and shortly afterwards the S24. The hiking trail takes us to the Siebenquellental valley. The impressive valley floor has cut deeply into the landscape. The reason for this is seven clear hillside springs that rise in a very small area and merge to form the Sitzenrodaer Bach. Mighty groups of beech trees dominate the forest landscape here, with the H-beech (two beech trees that are joined together by branches in an H shape) being a special feature of nature. At the next crossroads with a shelter we come to the Hakenweg. We leave the A-path and follow the signs for Weißes Haus / Sitzenroda. The Saxon Luther Trail runs parallel to it. After a short time we reach the town of Sitzenroda. The forest path turns into an asphalted side road at the entrance to the village. We follow the road “Zum Quellental” until the “Schmiedeweg” junction. This takes us to the main road S24, where we turn right. After a few steps we keep left and take the Alte Poststraße. The paved path, which is used by both hikers and cyclists, leads us out of the village, past an agricultural shelter to a small shelter on a slight hill. From here we can once again let our gaze wander over Sitzenroda and the Dahlener Heide. We continue walking towards Schildau and soon reach the Lutherweg again. When we reach the transmitter mast, we turn left and pass directly by the Schildau equestrian arena. Within just a few years, the arena has become a popular meeting place for horse-riding enthusiasts. The competition venue meets international standards and reflects the Schildbürgerstreiche in its obstacles. We follow the signs “Lutherweg” and return to Schildau. At the end of the path we turn right into Wurzener Straße and walk towards the city center. At the St. From St. Mary's Church, whose tower can be seen from afar and on whose grounds the oldest mulberry tree in Germany can be admired, the path leads us to the right into Gothestraße.

Schildau: Market

Map Dr. Barthel-Verlag "Landurlaub Dahlener Heide"