Path to Kaolin
- 2:00 h
- 7.88 km
- 51 m
- 51 m
- 146 m
- 194 m
- 48 m
- Start: Geoportal "Kaolin Adventure World" at Mügeln Station, Bahnhofstraße 2, 04769 Mügeln
- Destination: Geoportal "Kaolin Adventure World" at Mügeln Station, Bahnhofstraße 2, 04769 Mügeln
At the start of the circular route, the Geoportal Mügeln Station invites you to explore many multimedia perspectives in the "Kaolin Adventure World", including the geological formation of the raw material kaolin as well as the deposits in the "Land of the White Earth" around Mügeln and the kaolin mining in the region. Starting from the Geoportal, the path follows the traces of the "white gold" through the town of Mügeln to the active kaolin open-pit mine "Schleben/Crellenhain". Kemmlitz kaolin has been mined on the site since 1883. Since June 2025, changes to the mining area have made it possible to lead the path around the kaolin open-pit mine. Two viewing platforms offer a wide view over the mining area.
The circular route leads diversely through the town of Mügeln, touching on its sights: the St. Johannis parish church, the market with the town hall, Ruhetal Castle, and the Altmügeln St. Mary's Church. With some luck, the "Wilder Robert", the narrow-gauge railway operating between Mügeln and Oschatz, rushes by. Many sections run through the "green side" of the town of Mügeln - along the Döllnitz and the Kreuzgrund nature reserve.
Back at the narrow-gauge railway station Mügeln, the ride with the "Wilder Robert" to Kemmlitz or Oschatz is almost a must...
Good to know
Pavements
- Unknown (11%)Street (10%)Asphalt (59%)Gravel (5%)Trail (1%)Path (14%)
Best to visit
- suitableDepends on weather
Directions
The Kaolin hiking trail starts at the Geoportal “Kaolin Adventure World” in Mügeln Station, where you will find parking.
Follow Dr.-Friedrichs-Straße a short distance eastwards and turn onto Clara-Zetkin-Straße. Via Goethestraße, Schulplatz, Promenadenstraße, and Badergasse you reach the Altmarkt. From there continue via Schlossstraße over the tracks of the Döllnitzbahn to Ruhetal Castle. The Verlobungsbrücke (Engagement Bridge) over the Döllnitz opens the path along the stream - called the Poets’ Path. Cross Wermsdorfer Straße and continue straight on through Altmügelner Straße to St. Mary’s Church. Here you must walk around the church wall once until you discover the hiking trail to Lehmberg opposite the entrance gate. Follow this gently ascending path up to the end of the settlement. Here begins the operation site of the Kemmlitz Kaolin Works, through which the path to kaolin runs. Be sure to stay on the streets and paths designated and released for visitor traffic! Entering the slopes is prohibited due to the danger of falling!
The path to kaolin encircles the kaolin open-pit mine with its two new viewing platforms. On the western side of the open-pit mine, the path winds between the mine edge and the nature reserve.
After crossing the Gatsch river, follow the path straight ahead to Altmügelner Straße and turn left. Altmügelner Straße leads you back to St. Mary’s Church. Again, walk around the cemetery wall and then continue straight into the beautiful Döllnitz valley. The country road releases you onto Nebitzschner Straße. To the left, the path leads directly and always straight back to the starting point at Mügeln Station - via Nebitzschner Straße, Franz-Mehring-Straße, Ernst-Thälmann-Straße, Dr. Friedrichs-Straße, to Bahnhofstraße.
In town, around Markt and Altmarkt, there are many opportunities to rest, refuel, and shop.Tour information
Loop Road
Equipment
Sturdy footwear or sports shoes, provisions and water if needed.
Directions & Parking facilities
- ParkingParking is available at the Geoportal Mügeln StationPublic transportation
By train to Mügeln, stop Döllnitzbahn
Author
Verena Daser
Organization
LEIPZIG REGION
License (master data)
Verena Daser
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
Döllnitzbahn - Narrow-gauge railway "Wilder Robert"
Geoportal Mügeln Station with the "Kaolin Adventure World"
Open-pit mine Schleben/Crellenhain
Nearby
Download GPX file