Hiking loop around Waldheim

From the town hall, which was built in Art Nouveau style from 1898-1902, over the Zschopaubrücke bridge, built by Pöppelmann in 1713, along Mittweidaer Straße turn right into Härtelstraße. About 50 m on the left side, walk through the portal. Via the staircase, past the Catholic Church, you will reach the traffic circle at the end of the Carolastraße. Following the small path, continue over the disused Kriebethal track up to the Schillerhöhe. Through the deciduous forest, to the Carolahöhe and down the steps to the viaduct. Turn right and you reach the Heiligenborn railroad viaduct on Mittweidaer Straße. Immediately on the right through the viaduct, you arrive at the ‘Sauergrass’ and get to the Vogt-, Süd- and Hauptstraße. Walk left along the main street to the children's playground and turn right to the bridge over the bypass. From here you have a good view of the Diedenhain railroad viaduct. Descend past the ‘Waldfrieden’ restaurant and turn left through the viaduct in the direction of Meinsberg. It is worthwhile taking a short break on the Meinsberg bridge and marvel at the largest dry retaining wall in Europe on the railroad line on the left side. On the right, a path leads you to the edge of the forest, uphill you reach the Spitzberg and the Kreuzfelsen. Your effort will be rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view over Waldheim and the Zschopau valley to Kriebstein Castle. In the foreground on the left, you can see Germany's oldest prison still in use today. Staying on the circular trail, continue to Alberthöhe and over the bridge uphill to Hufe and back down the valley to Gebersbacher Straße. Cross this road in the direction of Breitenberg. After the bridge, turn right up the meadow path, at the top turn left into Massaneier Straße. After about 200 m turn right into the small path towards Lutherhöhe. Here you have a beautiful view of the town framed by green hills. Follow the path via steps back to the road on the Breitenberg down to the Morteltal on the right, pass the road and take the hillside road up to the Wachberg. The 20 m high lookout tower offers once again a beautiful panoramic view over Waldheim and its surroundings. Pass the hotel ‘Goldene Höhe’ and go down 220 steps into the valley 70 m below to Kriebsteiner Straße. A few meters to the left, on the bank of the Zschopau, you will see the ‘Napoleonstein’, which commemorates the crossing of Napoleon's troops over the Zschopau in May 1813. Parallel to the river you walk into town. When you reach the Oberwerder, you will see the Kellerberg, an exhibition mine, on your right. Continue across the Oberwerder, to the Obermarkt until you reach the starting point, the town hall.