Wildenthal: Ski Slope, Hiking Routes and Erzgebirge History

Wildenthal combines winter sports with the distinctive Erzgebirge landscape, hiking routes and regional history.

Wildenthal between the Auersberg and Rölzhang

Together with Oberwildenthal, Wildenthal lies in the deeply incised valley of the Große Bockau at an elevation of around 720 metres above sea level, directly at the foot of the 1,018-metre-high Auersberg. Rölzhang is a single ski slope and should not be equated with an extensive ski resort, a network of interconnected lifts or a comprehensive range of pistes.

Rölzhang is just under 100 metres long and not very steep. These features say nothing about opening hours, snow conditions, grooming or its suitability for particular groups of people.

Hiking routes of varying distances

In Wildenthal, there is a 4.4-kilometre loop on the Dorfring road around the village, as well as an 8.9-kilometre out-and-back hike from Wildenthal to the 1,018-metre-high Auersberg and back. The shorter loop remains focused on the village, while the longer tour includes the Auersberg as its destination. For day planning, the village loop and the mountain route with return journey are listed separately alongside each other.

Stage 11 of the Kammweg trail from Johanngeorgenstadt to Weitersglashütte also leads to Wildenthal. During the descent, it follows the Schlangenweg for the next 2.5 kilometres into Wildenthal, which lies almost 300 metres lower. A descent should therefore be planned on the Schlangenweg; along this section, the stage descends almost 300 metres over 2.5 kilometres. In the surrounding area, the Auersberg Nature Activity Garden also offers seven stations and seven riddles.

Natural surroundings and paths through the village

Valuable beech-mixed forest stands lie between Wildenthal and Eibenstock in the Natura 2000 area “Tal der Großen Bockau”. On the “Off to the first summer retreat in the Erzgebirge” tour between Eibenstock and Wildenthal, a Kneipp facility on an idyllic meadow is recommended as a short refreshment break during the descent through the Ehrethausbach valley.

The ditch branches off the Große Bockau not far from Wildenthal Cemetery and today runs as a path through meadows across the village, past the Schwibbogen arch to the park and onwards. The Karlsroute passes through Wildenthal and Oberwildenthal, climbs to the border at the mountain pass and continues to Karlovy Vary, formerly known as Karlsbad. The route passes through both parts of the village, reaches the border at the pass and continues to Karlovy Vary.

Local history at the Saafnlob House

The museum in the Saafnlob House in Wildenthal is a local history museum assembled by the local heritage association. It covers Goethe and Charlotte von Stein’s coach journey through Wildenthal. It also provides information about Stephan Dietrich, the Erzgebirge local poet known as “Saafnlob”. Visitors interested in culture will find the Goethe connection and information about Stephan Dietrich at the Saafnlob House in the same place.

The Wildenthal Hammer Festival is part of the cultural calendar. Held on the second weekend in August, it commemorates the village’s long tradition of iron hammer mills.

For further comparison in the Erzgebirge: Weitersglashütte and Carlsfeld.

More about the Erzgebirge: Eibenstock.