We start our hike at Witzschdorf railroad station. Immediately after the level crossing, the Hahnweg branches off to the left, leading steadily uphill through a shady beech forest and reaching the forest road after just under 400 meters. If you take a sharp right here, you can hike to Waldkirchen or via the green forest to Marbach. The circular route leads us to the left into the district of Hahn. At the house at Waldstraße 6, a plaque provides information about the history of Hahn.
The road now leads downhill in a tight bend to Staupenbach.
Turning right, you reach the hut on the "Heuweg" and the Buschmühle. We turn left and cross the level crossing after just a few meters. We have now reached the Hahnwehr and follow the edge of the water on the right.
It is very quiet here, only the rushing of the river and the singing of the birds can be heard. You can rest on a makeshift bench and, with a bit of luck, spot a heron or a kingfisher. On the far bank, a large factory-like building with three residential buildings becomes visible - the Schönthal district. This is where the path will take us, but first we have to follow the water's edge a few meters downstream to reach the bridge over the Zschopau. This is the connection to the Augustusburg hiking trail network. Following the road, you can reach Hennersdorf railroad station after 1 km. A café in the former "Leistner factory" is worth a detour.
However, if you want to follow our circular route, cross the bridge to get to Schönthal. Before the parking lot of the hydraulic steel construction company, a forest path branches off sharply to the right and leads up the slope of a small stream valley. After a sharp bend, you reach an open field. If the path is not coupled, you can cross the field in a straight line to reach the edge of the forest on the opposite side. Otherwise, keep left and after a few steps you will come to a well-maintained path again, which runs above Schönthal, rejoins the forest and finally leads steeply uphill over two hairpin bends and reaches a bench nestling at the edge of the forest. We have earned a rest here after the strenuous climb.
After the short break, we continue on. A gently sloping forest path passes the Leith, which is a romantic sight with its loose mixed forest, especially in the fall. After a good 500 meters, buildings can be seen again between the branches of the trees: it is a row of bungalows and gardens that the now ascending path leads past.
A railing points the way diagonally to the right up the slope. This is the steepest ascent of our hike. Once at the top, the path descends just as quickly, finally reaching the center of the village and the main road.
Continue to the right to the Martin Luther Church. This is the village center of Witzschdorf. There is a hiking sign opposite the church. If you are not afraid of a few more meters of ascent, you will reach the Witzschdorf inn after 400 meters, where you can stop for refreshments.
From the village center, the trail first heads uphill along Schulstraße, past the kindergarten on the right and the memorial to the fallen of the Second World War on the left.
After just a few meters, turn left onto Hammerweg, which leads across the fields of the central village.
The highest elevation is the densely wooded Heidelberg at 506 meters. Waldkirchen and the wind turbine on the Börnichen hilltop can also be seen. A sign explains why a poplar garden was planted in the middle of the field.
After just under 1 km, you reach a bench that invites you to rest.
The path now splits into the lower and upper Hammerweg. As the lower one is closed in summer, we choose the upper one and turn right. Just a few steps later, we descend the steep Hammerberg.
The path becomes increasingly steep and washed out in its lowest section. The water has exposed some large slabs of rock here. From here, we can look out over the valley. The Göhler butcher's shop is located in the yellow-painted factory.
If you want to make a short detour to the Rolle mill and the Zschopenthal blue paint factory, follow the now paved path to the main road and then cross the Zschopau bridge on the left. However, we turn left onto an inconspicuous, narrow forest path. The signpost tells us that we are now heading towards Witzschdorf railroad station via Pfaffens Ruh.
The narrow path leads us further along the slope and finally leads to a meadow, the so-called "Stützwiese". The Zschopautalbahn railroad line can be seen in the valley.
After crossing the meadow, we return to the tranquillity of the forest. Straight ahead you come to the "Glück auf" garden and thus back to the central village; diagonally to the right, downhill, the path leads to the railroad station.
Ancient beech trees, whose canopy of leaves only breaks through the sun's light in a muted way, create a pleasant, secret atmosphere of tranquillity. The waves of the Zschopau soon shimmer between the trees; you can see a railroad bridge, popularly known as the "Iron Bridge".
The slope becomes increasingly steep and the path narrower and narrower. A footbridge bridges a torrent that still meanders gently through the meadows. When it is full of water, you can see a waterfall above the bridge, which was once part of the factory gardens. Now there are some large steps to climb down. On the left, a huge quarry can be seen behind the bushes.
The forest thins out and the path leads onto Witzschdorf's main road. A bench offers the opportunity for a short rest. Finally, you cross the steel bridge built in 1934. From here, there is a beautiful view of the former Saxon sewing thread factory and the artistically decorated manufacturer's villa, which are reflected in the water of the dammed Zschopau.
Back at Witzschdorf station, the Erzgebirgsbahn will soon take you back.
