A beautiful tour to an impressive rock gate and in the footsteps of robber barons.
Kirnitzsch Valley, Sturmbauers Eck – Kleinsteinhöhle Cave – Arnstein – Kirnitzsch Valley Ottendorf junction – Buschmühle
Kirnitzsch Valley: Via Kleinstein and Arnstein
Short facts
- start: Kirnitzschtal Sturmbauers Eck stop
- destination: Kirnitzschtal Abzweig Ottendorf stop
- easy
- 4,31 km
- 1 hour 50 minutes
- 186 m
- 304 m
- 201 m
Tour dashboard
Pavings
- Street (1%)
- Crushed Rock (28%)
- Path (71%)
Weather
General information
- Summit
- Cultural Interesting
Kirnitzschtal Sturmbauers Eck stop
Kirnitzschtal Abzweig Ottendorf stop
The hike begins at the Kirnitzschtal Sturmbauers Eck bus stop. From there, the trail leads uphill towards Kleinsteinhöhle, which you reach by turning right off the main path. Just above the rock gate, it is worth making a short detour to the viewpoints before returning to the Neuer Weg trail. Kleinsteinhöhle is one of the largest rock gates in Saxon Switzerland. It measures around 10 metres in height and width and around 5 to 7 metres in depth. A carved date of 1586 is the second oldest known rock inscription in the region.
The trail continues towards Arnstein. At the fork, keep right, then left, and climb the steps uphill again to the rock summit. Arnstein, also known as ‘Ottendorfer Raubschloss’ (Ottendorf Robber's Castle), was the site of a small castle complex in the 15th century. It was first mentioned in 1436. The castle was abandoned and partially destroyed in the same century. Remains of walls, beam supports, steps and a cistern carved into the rock are still visible today.
Once at the top, there is a wide view of the Kirnitzsch Valley and the rocky landscape. However, caution is advised when it is slippery. A detour to the Arnstein Cave is worthwhile, but requires sure-footedness, as the access is narrow and somewhat adventurous.
The way back leads above the road back to the Kirnitzsch Valley to the Abzweig Ottendorf stop.