Part 1: Educational trail on the bark beetle and forest restructuring Part 2: Educational trail on forest development after the 2022 forest fire .
The first part of the nature trail "Weg zur Wildnis" (Path to Wilderness) is a 250-metre-long information path on the Reitsteig, directly at the junction to the Lehnsteig. There, a pure spruce forest has been dead since 2007 due to winter storm Kyrill and subsequently bark beetles. Visitors can now experience how diverse and vital the forest has regenerated on its own in 15 years.
The second part of the nature trail "Weg zur Wildnis" (Path to Wilderness) is a 100 m long information trail, which is also located at the Reitsteig, only a few metres away from the 1st part. The central concern is to photographically document the long-term forest development after the forest fire of 2022. Comparison pictures with the forest situation before and immediately after the fire are shown. In addition, the trail offers interesting facts about the situation and spread of the 2022 forest fire and informs about measures to help prevent future fires.
In three languages, with little text and many pictures, the forest development is made clear and understandable. The highlight is a small platform that offers an overview of the new forest and a selfie station - #wegzurwildnis.
Ideal starting point for hikes to the Weg zur Wildnis is Schmilka. The shortest connection is in the direction of Winterberg, then at Zwieselhütte continue along the root path and turn left up the Lehnsteig. The steep ascent is completed in around 50 - 60 minutes and you can enter the information trail directly on the right at the Reitsteig.
Our hiking recommendation: Schmilkaer Kessel
The second part of the nature trail "Weg zur Wildnis" (Path to Wilderness) is a 100 m long information trail, which is also located at the Reitsteig, only a few metres away from the 1st part. The central concern is to photographically document the long-term forest development after the forest fire of 2022. Comparison pictures with the forest situation before and immediately after the fire are shown. In addition, the trail offers interesting facts about the situation and spread of the 2022 forest fire and informs about measures to help prevent future fires.
In three languages, with little text and many pictures, the forest development is made clear and understandable. The highlight is a small platform that offers an overview of the new forest and a selfie station - #wegzurwildnis.
Ideal starting point for hikes to the Weg zur Wildnis is Schmilka. The shortest connection is in the direction of Winterberg, then at Zwieselhütte continue along the root path and turn left up the Lehnsteig. The steep ascent is completed in around 50 - 60 minutes and you can enter the information trail directly on the right at the Reitsteig.
Our hiking recommendation: Schmilkaer Kessel
