Wiedeturm-Weg HRW 2

Along the entire route, we pass places and sites that are reminiscent of the time of flourishing mining and thus also of Alexander von Humboldt. The Humboldt Trail (themed trail) reports on his work. However, this hiking trail is dedicated to Anton Wiede and his tower. The previous report describes his achievements for our region in detail.

The hiking trail leads (in the direction indicated) with hardly any strenuous inclines through a varied landscape and beautifully structured meadows. It touches hidden, idyllic isolated spots. The circular trail offers impressive views of the surrounding countryside from Issigau, the Kemlaser Höhe, the Wiedeturm, King David, the Hirschen and other plateaus, as well as magnificent vistas stretching from the Thuringian countryside to the Fichtelgebirge. It runs through the wild and romantic Höllental valley with its numerous highlights. For the most part, it leads along pleasant field, forest and meadow paths; only a short section is on roads. The Friedrich-Wilhelm-Stollen, the only visitor mine in the Franconian Forest, and the information center in the former Lichtenberg railroad station building are well worth a visit!

On the footpath and cycle path from Hölle in the direction of Issigau, we leave the road at the last house (on the right) to the right in the direction of Heinrichsdorf, soon turn left and, passing the site of the former fluorspar mine, arrive at the idyllically situated Einzel Saarhaus. After the house, at the end of the orchard meadow, we take the natural field path on the right over to the cul-de-sac (from Heinrichsdorf) to Issigau. There are charming views of the surrounding countryside.

We walk right through the village to the former schoolhouse at the end of the village and then uphill on a field path with beautiful views to the edge of the forest. There we turn left to the beautifully situated Hollerhöh hut. We walk briefly downhill in the forest into the open meadow, cross the road and continue to the outskirts of Ober-Kemlas. The view of the Saale valley and the Thuringian countryside becomes increasingly impressive.

At the crossroads, we follow the road leading from Kemlas to Wolfstein downhill to the left. We pass an impressive half-timbered house with a pleasant view of the valley and descend into the Mauswinkel. Before reaching the bottom of the valley, however, we turn right along the edge of the forest to the nearby forest road, which we follow downhill to the left. We cross a crossroads and walk along a pleasant forest path that climbs gently to a spur below the Wolfstein. After a short detour, we reach the Wiedeturm tower.

After visiting the Wiedeturm tower, we walk along a comfortable forest path on the left uphill past a young forest, then along a slope. To the east, we can enjoy the beautiful view of a picturesque landscape. We soon come to Wolfstein. After the last house, we take a dirt track to the right to the road to Eichenstein. However, our hiking trail leads uphill on the little-used road to the right and arrives at the Hirschsprung inn.

Past the hiking parking lot, we reach the King David viewpoint, which towers 170 m above the valley floor, on a road and later on a natural forest path over the Haselhügel hill. From here, there is a magnificent view of the Höllental valley and its surroundings, as far as the Döbraberg and into Thuringia. Shortly afterwards, sure-footed hikers are recommended to descend to the left downhill to the Hirschen (and back), the landmark of the Höllental valley. This is demonstrably the sixth stag, all of which have a historical background.

The hiking trail leads steadily downhill on a beautiful path into the Selbitztal valley and to Blechschmidtenhammer. Here, the information center, the Friedrich-Wilhelm-Stollen and the start of the geological-mining circular hiking trail invite you to visit and hike. The hike begins at the Selbitzmühle mill through the over 3 km long, wildly romantic Höllental valley with a variety of scenic and historical highlights and sections of the three adventure trails (forest, water, geology).

From the Jungfernsteg (also from the Teufelssteg), you can hike along both banks of the Selbitz to Hölle. On the right bank of the Selbitz, the (recommendable) Röhrensteig (restored at great expense in 2006) leads to Hölle; on the left bank, follow the road. In Hölle, you should not miss the short detour to the small park with the two deep wells with healing mineral water. You can refresh yourself free of charge at one of the fountains. Up the road, we come across the Höllensprudel bottling plant (Wiede company).