Hercules Columns-Johanniswacht-Round

5.05 km long
Round trip
Difficulty: medium
Condition: medium
Great panorama
Winter hikes
  • 2:00 h
  • 5.05 km
  • 183 m
  • 183 m
  • 345 m
  • 437 m
  • 92 m
  • Start: Parking lot Schweizermühle
  • Destination: Parking lot Schweizermühle
Exciting and scenic hike with great views. From the Schweizermühle parking lot in Rosenthal, the trail follows the yellow dot up to the Kaiser Wilhelm-Feste. It then continues past the Hercules Columns to Felsengasse and back down into the valley to Ottomühle. On the other side of the Biela, the circular route continues via the Johanniswacht and the Sachsenstein to the neighbor, back to the starting point.

From the Schweizermühle car park in Rosenthal, the trail follows the yellow dots up to the Kaiser Wilhelm Fortress. It then continues past the Hercules Columns to the Felsengasse and back down into the valley to the Ottomühle. On the other side of the Biela, the circular trail continues via the Johanniswacht and the Sachsenstein back to the starting point.

Good to know

Pavements

Street (5%)
Asphalt (6%)
Gravel (9%)
Trail (24%)
Path (56%)

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

Impressive rock world to the left and right of the Biela

In the Rosenthal-Bielatal climbing paradise, the sandstone has taken on the strangest shapes. The names of the rock towers are as bizarre as their appearance. Gnome King, Love Bone or Wild Peak are the names of three of the almost 250 climbing peaks. This six-kilometre, moderately difficult winder hike leads past the most famous rock needles. The start is at the Schweizermühle park in Rosenthal, the trail follows the yellow dot via the Kaiser Wilhelm Fortress, past the striking Hercules columns into the Ottomühle valley. On the other side of the river, you return to the starting point of the hike via Johanniswacht.

Tour information

  • Loop Road

Equipment

  • Onion-skin clothing and winter hiking boots
  • Backpack with hiking map, snacks, thermos flask with a warm drink, smartphone, flashlight, first aid kit
  • Hiking poles, ice goggles

Directions & Parking facilities

Bus 242, Bus 245

Timetable information: www.vvo-online.de

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

Detour to the Kanzelstein viewpoint (above the Biela, yellow markings)!

Interesting facts about winter hiking in Saxon Switzerland

Safety guidelines

This is a red tour (medium difficulty), with slight inclines, possibly difficult in deep snow.

The hiking trails are not cleared of ice and snow. Please refrain from the winter hike in icy conditions.

Map

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