The best waterfall hikes and walks in Vogtlandkreis

Open on Reformation Day - 5 stars because there are still restaurateurs with entrepreneurial spirit! Thank you

The petrified monk lies on the path from the railway crossing up to the Black Stone. In my opinion, you can't climb it, but its shape makes it very interesting to look at. It could actually be a monk...

A terrain where nature has created romantic rock formations! Some rock faces invite sport climbers to test their skills!

At the double bridge, a stone bridge dating back to the time of rafting, the Gahlenbach River flows into the Rote Göltzsch. An idyllic reservoir lies above the Gahlenbach. The Rote Göltzsch flows towards Hohofen and, leaving Ellefeld, empties into the Weiße Göltzsch. In the 16th century, processes for the extraction and processing of metals gradually developed below the double bridge. Ore (red iron ore) around the Röthelstein was crushed and smelted in a specially built blast furnace. It was then processed in a stamp mill (hammer). The required blower was powered by water. A wire mill, where brass blanks were formed into coarse wire, also operated with a similar drive. (Information panel)

The Wendelstein (734 m) is part of a long chain of rocky cliffs that jut sharply out of the earth. This striking rock formation begins at the "Hoher Stein" (Czech Republic), continues via the "Alter Söll" (Schöneck), the "Rehhübel," "Rinnelstein," "Großer Affenstein," "Kleiner Affenstein," "Genesenstein," "Wendelstein," and "Schwarzer Stein" (all Grünbach) to the "Bendelstein" near Auerbach. The Wendelstein, like all the others, is composed of greywacke quartzite. This is a dark gray, mostly highly consolidated sandstone composed of feldspar, chlorite, and mica, with a high proportion of slate and quartzite. About 500 million years ago, the Vogtland region was covered by a shallow sea. Sand and mud settled on the bottom, which subsequently solidified into sandstone and slate, the sedimentary rock, due to climate change and landslide. Forced upwards under enormous heat and pressure, phyllite and quartzite were formed. (https://www.gruenbach.de/freizeit_aktiv)

The idea of establishing a cultural center on this magnificent piece of land, sometimes referred to as "Auerbach Switzerland," dates back to the time before the Second World War. The tourist association, founded in 1930, wanted to build a new natural stage at Röthelstein, where performances by the Plauen City Theater had already taken place. A lack of funds and World War II prevented this. In the 1950s, the residents of the Beerheide community began building a new natural stage. Many hardworking hands—especially the singers of the Beerheide Men's Choir—worked for many years, creating a natural stage that attracts many local and hiking enthusiasts. Since 1953, the traditional Whitsun singing event, known far beyond the borders of the Vogtland region, has taken place at Röthelstein every Whitsun Sunday. (https://www.beerheide-vogtland.de/tourismus/naturbuehne_roethelstein/index.php )

Nodic Camp has a total of five cottages, each accommodating four people. The cottages have a living area of 45 m², and all feature a living room with a kitchenette, a bathroom, a hallway, a bedroom with two beds, and another room with a bunk bed. Outside, there is a terrace and a storage room. The camp is located in a largely unspoiled area, surrounded by extensive coniferous forests at an altitude of approximately 800 m above sea level. A small game reserve is located nearby. The animals are very friendly.

On the border between Hammerbrücke and Grünbach lies an old technical monument: the "Oberer Floßgraben" (Upper Floßgraben), also called "Riß" (Risk). Starting in 1571, the Riss was excavated over a length of 4 km. Old chronicles report that it was first used for rafting in 1584. Anyone interested in how rafting was done in ancient times can see it at the annual demonstration rafting event in Muldenberg. (www.floesser-verein.de) At the end of the ditch are the so-called Riß Falls (the only waterfalls in the Vogtland region). Originally, this section of the ditch was carved into the rock by human hands in the shape of a ramp to allow timber to easily overcome this difference in elevation. Over the centuries, the water has worked its way deeper and deeper into the rocky floor of the Göltzsch Valley. This last section, the Riß Falls; blend beautifully into the surrounding forest landscape of the small river Weiße Göltzsch. (https://www.gruenbach.de)