Carlsfeld in winter between cross-country trails, reservoir and bandoneon
Accommodation in Carlsfeld
If you would like to combine cross-country skiing with nature experiences and regional culture during your winter holiday, Carlsfeld offers several clearly distinct points of interest. The village has the 6-kilometre Talsperrenloipe, the 5-kilometre SchneehĂĽbelloipe and the 2-kilometre Sonnenloipe at P2. In addition, feeder trails to the Kammloipe lead from several car parks in Carlsfeld. In the landscape conservation area around the reservoir and across its dam crest, snow-reliable cross-country trails run through the winter. Carlsfeld therefore offers a winter experience that can be combined with walking paths, architectural history and musical tradition.
Cross-country skiing around the reservoir
The trails differ primarily in their length and route. At 2 kilometres, the Sonnenloipe at P2 is the shortest of the three local trails. The SchneehĂĽbelloipe covers 5 kilometres, while the Talsperrenloipe is 6 kilometres long. Anyone looking for a longer route can include the feeder trails to the Kammloipe in their plans.
The route along the Carlsfeld Reservoir is particularly characteristic. In winter, cross-country trails run through the landscape conservation area and across the dam crest. The reservoir lies at an elevation of 905 metres and is considered Germany’s highest drinking-water reservoir. It was built between 1926 and 1929. The surroundings combine elevation, cross-country trails and scenery with paths and cultural-history destinations away from cross-country skiing.
The reservoir as a winter and hiking destination
The dam crest can be crossed in both summer and winter. This creates an approximately 6-kilometre circular route around the reservoir. In addition, an 8.62-kilometre circular route around the reservoir is classified as moderately difficult; it starts and ends at the Trinity Church in the centre of Carlsfeld. The approximately 6-kilometre circular route is directly connected with the dam crest, which can be crossed, while the 8.62-kilometre route refers to a separate moderately difficult hike starting and ending in the village centre.
The reservoir is not a swimming or water-sports destination. Swimming and other water sports are not permitted there. Those who visit the reservoir in winter should therefore focus their stay on cross-country skiing, hiking and the landscape around the water. The combination of the technical structure, forest, mountain meadows and raised bogs shapes the character of the surroundings: Carlsfeld lies in an extensive nature reserve with primeval forests, mountain meadows and raised bogs.
Bandoneon, church and railway history
In addition to its winter trails, Carlsfeld has an unusually distinctive musical heritage. The village is regarded as the birthplace of the bandoneon worldwide. From 1847 onward, it was manufactured there by Carl Friedrich Zimmermann. The Bandoneon Educational Trail is an attraction in Carlsfeld and highlights this local tradition. The International Bandoneon Festival has been held in Carlsfeld every October since 1993. You can explore the history of the instrument and the village independently of the event date.
Another historical point of interest is the Trinity Church. It was built from 1684 to 1688 according to a Baroque design by Wolf Caspar von Klengel and is considered Saxony’s oldest central-plan building. At the same time, it served as a model for Dresden’s Frauenkirche and the Round Church in Seiffen. The church is also the starting and finishing point of the 8.62-kilometre moderately difficult circular route around the reservoir.
Near the church, a historic engine shed commemorates Carlsfeld’s former terminus of the Wilkau-Haßlau–Carlsfeld narrow-gauge railway. The railway was 41.9 kilometres long and was Saxony’s longest narrow-gauge railway.
Putting routes and travel arrangements into context
A signposted hike starts at the car park in the centre of Carlsfeld, leads to the Trinity Church and then follows the marked Three Reservoirs Hiking Trail.
Bus route 371 is part of the connection between Aue, Eibenstock and Carlsfeld.
For the overarching travel overview: Eibenstock.
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