The best MTB trails around Raschau-Markersbach

The Kuttenbach, approximately 6.5 km long, is a stream and a right tributary of the Schwarzwasser on the outskirts of Aue-Bad Schlema. Its lower reaches in the Bärengrund valley, after its only major tributary, are also called the Rumpelsbach. The Kuttengrund valley is an old mining area; the last mine closed in 1927. The Kuttenteich pond, constructed in the 18th century as an artificial pond, served as a water reservoir for the vitriol works, the smelting works, and, from 1840 onward, for supplying water to the Kuttenzeche mine. The pond is 72 meters long and 52 meters wide, with a dam five meters high. A mining heritage trail now leads through the valleys of the Kuttenbach and Fallbach streams.

A very beautiful view

Very tasty, very cozy and super friendly!

The large peace bell on the Fichtelberg had to remain silent for six months in 2024. Stone throwing in May 2022 had so badly damaged the bell that its sound suffered. It was decided to stop ringing it and replace it with a new one. The old bell rang for the last time on Easter Monday 2024. Just in time for the mountain service on German Unity Day on October 3, the new bell was officially rung for the first time in the fall of 2024. The idea of using a peace bell to commemorate the peaceful revolution of 1989 in the GDR and German reunification in 1990 came from watchman Gerd Schlesinger and night watchman Jörg Eller from the Ore Mountains town of Schwarzenberg. The bell was also intended to be heard in neighboring Czechia and thus ring for a united Europe. The cast steel bell, already ninety years old at the time, was rung for the first time in 2010. The new bell was cast in Innsbruck by the Grassmayr company. At 2,700 kilograms, it is about 1,100 kilograms heavier than the old bell.

June 16, 2024 ATTENTION: Checkpoint sign is green – not light blue! We almost missed the Stoneman Checkpoint Oberbecken. As we came out of the forest, we noticed the green anniversary sign, but we didn't realize it was the checkpoint – simply because we were expecting the typical light blue color. Luckily, we had entered all the checkpoints into our GPS devices beforehand. So we quickly realized we had already passed them. So: As soon as you come out of the forest and see the solar panels in front of you, which are attached to the slope of the reservoir – be sure to look to your left > green sign! 😊

Here you can get super delicious ice cream, the scoops are huge and there is a nice outdoor area where you can also comfortably eat your ice cream from the street vendor 😋🍦🍨

a great corner, always worth a trip

When I see a ski jump like that in front of/below me, I understand even less how you can ski down it.