- 0: 44 pm
- 2,59 km
- 29 m
- 29 m
- 314 m
- 342 m
- 28 m
- Start: Rochlitzer Berg - Parking South, Rochlitzer Berg, 09306 Rochlitz
- Destination: Rochlitzer Berg - Parking South, Rochlitzer Berg, 09306 Rochlitz
along the The porphyry trail on the Rochlitzer Berg can be visited at 15 stations, visitors will learn a great deal about the Rochlitz Porphyry Tuff, a World Heritage stone. In addition to insights into the quarries and the lives of the stonemasons, the history of the Rochlitz Mountain and the formation of this unique volcanic rock will be explored. A must-see for any excursion to Rochlitz Mountain are the two viewing points at the 60-meter-deep Gleisberg Quarry (National Geosite) and the panoramic view of the Rochlitz area from the Friedrich August Tower.
The "Porphyrhaus" visitor center (geoportal), located next to the Gleisberg quarry, provides information about the geology and industrial history of the Rochlitzer Berg, as well as other interesting destinations in the "Porphyrland. Stone Kingdom in Saxony" National Geopark. The house is a place for extracurricular learning and a frequently used event venue. Lectures, workshops, and creative activities take place here.
Since June 2025, the porphyry trail has also been available as Audio time travel "Porphyry Trail To Go" - with entertaining audio stories at 15 stations - especially for families with children - and additional reading material for those who are curious. Simply scan the QR code or listen to the audio stories start here.
Good to know
Best Season
Directions
The starting point is the south car park on the mountain, where interested visitors can find out more about Rochlitzer Berg and the Seelitz adventure tour on an overview board. The porphyry educational trail leads along the Bergstrasse to the first attraction, the Bergkeller. A further 200 metres to the north, past the horse stable, you reach the Haberkorn Quarry with its unique coloured grain of the rock. Back on the Bergstrasse, the route goes past the Böhmestein to the panoramic viewpoint at the bus turnaround loop, where there are signs pointing to long-distance destinations where Rochlitzer porphyry was used.
The next stop is the hermitage at Seidelbruch, which once served as modest accommodation for hikers and stonemasons. The hermitage's unique architecture is particularly worth seeing, with which it blends into the surroundings. After another 80 metres or so, a small hill appears on the left, the Königshöhe. Its monument was erected to commemorate the return of King Friedrich August I of Saxony from Allied captivity in 1815. After the Königshöhe, the Bergstrasse continues to the entrance to the Gleisbergbruch, past old witnesses such as the smithy and the social building, today's Geoportal Porphyrhaus of the Porphyrland Geopark. On the right-hand side of the entrance to the Gleisbergbruch, the stonemasons' former workplace, the Historical Shelter, has been recreated to familiarise visitors with the earlier techniques of stone processing. In the rear third of the quarry, a special feature awaits visitors: the porphyry walls, which drop vertically for around 70 metres, with the stonemasons' dates carved into them.
A beautiful forest path leads to a viewing platform above the Gleisberg quarry, which offers a breathtaking view of it. The last stop on the educational trail is the summit of the mountain with the Friedrich August Tower, which was built in memory of King Friedrich August II of Saxony, the Türmerhaus, where the ornithologist Rudolf Zimmermann once lived, and the "Türmerhaus" mountain restaurant. A view of the surrounding area from the observation tower concludes the interesting and educational tour through the porphyry quarries.
Tour features
Flatly
Arrival & Parking
More information / links
A accompanying booklet to the porphyry trail is available.
https://www.rochlitzer-muldental.de/
https://www.geopark-porphyrland.de/
Information about Audio time travel “Porphyry nature trail to go”
author
Geopark Porphyryland. Stone Kingdom in Saxony
Organization
LEIPZIG REGION
Author's tip
The porphyry world on the Rochlitzer Berg includes not only the porphyry educational trail but also the Seelitz adventure tour and the Wechselburg forest adventure trail.
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