Two short nature trails in the Saxon Switzerland National Park show how forests change and regenerate without human intervention.
The "Path to Wilderness" consists of two independent themed trails. Both show how nature reacts to disturbances.
The trails can be reached with a hike of approx. 1 - 1.5 hours. The ideal starting point for hikes to the path to the wilderness is Schmilka. The shortest route is towards Winterberg, then continue along the Wurzelweg trail at the Zwieselhütte hut and turn left up the Lehnsteig trail. The steep ascent is completed in around 50 - 60 minutes and you can turn right directly onto the Reitsteig into the information trail.
Part 1: Nature trail on the bark beetle and forest conversion
The first part of the "Weg zur Wildnis" nature trail is a 250-metre-long information trail on the Reitsteig, directly at the junction to the Lehnsteig. A pure spruce forest has been dead there since 2007 due to winter storm Kyrill and the subsequent bark beetle. Visitors can now experience how diverse and vital the forest has regenerated on its own in 15 years.
Part 2: Nature trail on forest development after the 2022 forest fire
The second part of the "Path to Wilderness" nature trail is a 100 m long information trail, which is also located on the Reitsteig, just a few meters away from the first part. The main aim is to photographically document the long-term development of the forest after the 2022 forest fire. Comparative images are shown with the forest situation before and immediately after the fire. The trail also offers interesting facts about the location and spread of the 2022 forest fire and provides information about measures to help prevent future fires.
Hiking tip:
Schmilkaer Kessel
The trails can be reached with a hike of approx. 1 - 1.5 hours. The ideal starting point for hikes to the path to the wilderness is Schmilka. The shortest route is towards Winterberg, then continue along the Wurzelweg trail at the Zwieselhütte hut and turn left up the Lehnsteig trail. The steep ascent is completed in around 50 - 60 minutes and you can turn right directly onto the Reitsteig into the information trail.
Part 1: Nature trail on the bark beetle and forest conversion
The first part of the "Weg zur Wildnis" nature trail is a 250-metre-long information trail on the Reitsteig, directly at the junction to the Lehnsteig. A pure spruce forest has been dead there since 2007 due to winter storm Kyrill and the subsequent bark beetle. Visitors can now experience how diverse and vital the forest has regenerated on its own in 15 years.
Part 2: Nature trail on forest development after the 2022 forest fire
The second part of the "Path to Wilderness" nature trail is a 100 m long information trail, which is also located on the Reitsteig, just a few meters away from the first part. The main aim is to photographically document the long-term development of the forest after the 2022 forest fire. Comparative images are shown with the forest situation before and immediately after the fire. The trail also offers interesting facts about the location and spread of the 2022 forest fire and provides information about measures to help prevent future fires.
Hiking tip:
Schmilkaer Kessel
