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Germany

Saxony

Vogtland

Elsterperlenweg – southern loop

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Germany

Saxony

Vogtland

Elsterperlenweg – southern loop

Hard

4.7

(76)

241

hikers

Elsterperlenweg – southern loop

05:55

20.7km

490m

Hiking

On this circular hike, for which we have combined the first and sixth stages of the Elsterperlenweg, you will discover the 800-year-old town of Greiz, the “Pearl of the Vogtland”, walk past impressive rock formations, discover historical buildings and enjoy wonderful views of the Elstertal . The starting point is the Liberty Bridge, from where you can walk past the Summer Palace and start off with a delicious cake in the historic café in the kitchen house.

The hike then takes you uphill to Idahöhe with the wonderful view of the Upper Castle in Greiz. We continue to the Teufelskanzel viewpoint and past the Klingensteine. On the ridge you can enjoy views of the Elstertal before the descent to Neumühle begins. From here you hike back on the other side of the White Elster and pass the White Cross and the Powder Tower before you reach Greiz again.

The wonderful view of the Upper and Lower Castles in Greiz opens up from afar. In addition to the summer palace, the two castles are part of the impressive palace complex. There is a restaurant in the Lower Castle, which is designed in the baroque style - the perfect place to end your hike and admire the cultural and historical value of the Vogtland one last time.

by Thüringen entdecken

Last updated: August 27, 2025

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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405 m

Greiz Summer Palace

Highlight • Castle

Very beautiful building with statues in front. The café in the kitchen building is right next door.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.54 km

View of the Upper Castle from Idahöhe

Highlight • Viewpoint

The climb may seem a bit difficult the first time, but it's definitely worth it! The trees have also been partially cleared, so the view of the castle is clear. Tip: At the plaque of Henry XXIII. A small path goes through the forest (approx. 200 meters) which ends at a tree. You should take a look while you're there.

Small addendum: a lot of clearing is said to have happened by now.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.36 km

Teufelskanzel rock formation and view of the White Cross

Highlight • Natural Monument

Nice break area with a view of the Devil's Pulpit.

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Tip by

9.54 km

View of Neumühle from Amselstein

Highlight • Viewpoint

Nice break area with a view of Neumühle. The path here is also worth it.

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Tip by

16.4 km

Sophienkreuz (White Cross) on Hirschstein

Highlight • Monument

You will find the cross on the Hirschstein at a height of 375 meters. Prince Heinrich built it in 1838 in memory of his deceased wife, Princess Sophie of Löwenstein-Wertheim. Today, the viewing platform offers a great view towards Greiz.

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Tip by

18.4 km

Greiz Powder Tower

Highlight • Monument

Beautiful tower with a magnificent view 😍.

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Tip by

19.5 km

Princely Greiz Park

Highlight • Natural Monument

A nice place to take a break in Greiz Park.

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Tip by

20.7 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

13.1 km

2.97 km

2.60 km

1.17 km

603 m

230 m

Surfaces

9.95 km

3.87 km

2.82 km

1.65 km

1.24 km

1.15 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (410 m)

Lowest point (240 m)

Weather

Thursday 30 July

34°C

16°C

19 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

February 8, 2024,Schlammperlen- keine Elsterperlen

If any of you have planned to walk the Elsterperlenweg soon, please don't, as large parts of the path have been completely destroyed by heavy forestry equipment and are a muddy desert due to the rain

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April 21, 2025,Elsterperlenweg - Etappe 1 + 6 als Runde von Neumühle über Greiz

Another Monday hike—albeit this time on a public holiday. I was still missing two stages of the EPW, and now I've completed it completely. Nevertheless, I'll definitely repeat some of the stages. There's plenty of variety here, especially at different times of the year, with different starting points and directions. This time, I reached the halfway point in Greiz Castle …

Showing Translation

August 8, 2025,Elsterperlenweg Etappe 1 & 6

The start and finish was the Princely Greiz Park. The park lake, with its 8.2 hectares, has been cleared of the sediment of the last 150 years, and the shoreline is currently being remediated. It will probably take some time before it looks like a lake again. After yesterday's hike, the route was manageable today, despite my burning calves. This …

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February 8, 2024,Ein Stück auf dem Elsterperlenweg

It's been four years since I left the EPW completely. Time for another visit, this time with the peregrine falcons from Rodewisch. The weather wasn't great, there was light rain at midday. Towards the end it was just a mud fight. It's incomprehensible how a certified "quality route" can be ruined like this. One can only hope that this will …

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September 21, 2024,📸🥾 Elsterperlenweg - Südliche Runde von Greiz 🤪

📸 Today I finally managed to do the Elsterperlenweg, it had been on my list for a long time.
I started in Greiz, past the park, up to Idahöhe, on to Amselstein, then to the Pulverturm, and through the park in a wonderful meadow landscape on the Weiße Elster, finally up to the Oberes Schloss 🏰 and on towards the …

Showing Translation

December 26, 2023,Elsterperlenweg von Neumühle über Greiz nach Neumühle

One of the most beautiful hiking trails so far.
The paths are very well signposted and easy to walk on, but sometimes they require sure-footedness (because they are very steep).

Showing Translation

September 10, 2022,Elsterperlenweg 1 und 6 📿

The Elster Perlenweg runs 72km along the Weißen Elster from Greiz to Wunschdorf and back on the other side. The opposite stages can be planned very well as a round trip. We have already hiked 4 stages, followed today by 1 and 6. We went from Neumühle to Greiz via the Weiße Kreuz and the Pulverturm. The princely parks impress …

Showing Translation

December 26, 2023,Weihnachtstour von Neumühle nach Neumühle über Elsterperlenweg und GRZ🥾👫🥾

One of the best hikes so far. Great paths and signage, great highlights and a beautiful landscape.

Showing Translation

April 3, 2024

On this circular hike, for which we have combined the first and sixth stages of the Elsterperlenweg, you will discover the 800-year-old town of Greiz, the “Pearl of the Vogtland”, walk past impressive rock formations, discover historical buildings and enjoy wonderful views of the Elstertal . The starting

Translated by Google •

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Elsterperlenweg – southern loop

Greiz Summer Palace

View of the Upper Castle from Idahöhe

Teufelskanzel rock formation and view of the White Cross

View of Neumühle from Amselstein

Sophienkreuz (White Cross) on Hirschstein

Greiz Powder Tower

Princely Greiz Park

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