Lutherweg Sachsen from Altenburg to Gnandstein

3:45 h
14.85 km
83 m
86 m
170 m
225 m
55 m
Start: Crimmitschau
Destination: Gnandstein, below the castle

On little-traveled roads and meadow paths, the "Lutherweg Sachsen" runs along the river "Pleiße" from Altenburg to Gnandstein. Not only the large cities are worth seeing. In the small villages along the way, you can also encounter remarkable churches and historically valuable houses. Before Gnandstein, the path leads the hiker through an extensive forest area and ends at one of the best-preserved Romanesque castles in Saxony – Gnandstein Castle.

In Altenburg, they separate again. The "Lutherweg Thüringen" then runs westward, the "Lutherweg Sachsen" eastward into the Leinawald. Along forest and field paths, the route winds through an idyllic stretch of forest and meadow. From afar, Gnandstein Castle can already be seen, which was once the main seat of the von Einsiedel family. They owned large estates in the region and advocated for the introduction of the Reformation. Despite threats and the influence of Duke Georg, who prevented the introduction of the Reformation before 1539, the von Einsiedel family was among the first Saxon noble families to openly support the Reformation.

Did you know that the western section of the Lutherweg between Leipzig and Zwickau runs along one of the most famous old long-distance trade routes? The Via Imperii extends from Stettin via Borna and Altenburg to Rome. The Via Imperii is signposted with the well-known scallop shell.

Start

Crimmitschau

Burg Gnandstein

Castle

Destination

Gnandstein, below the castle

Pavements

Street

Asphalt

Gravel

Path

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

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Directions

From the large pond in Altenburg, the route goes via Teichvorstadt, Berggasse, and Jungferngasse to a roundabout. Here the Lutherweg turns into Münsaer Straße. Follow this, cross the federal road, and reach Münsa. Behind the village, cross the Pleiße and walk along the Upper Münsaer Pond northwards to Wilditz, where you turn right into the Leinawald. After the village of Dolsenhain, the path leads to Gnandstein, where it ends at the castle.

Tour information

Stop at an Inn

Equipment

Sturdy footwear, weatherproof clothing, provisions, and water.

Directions & Parking facilities

By car from Leipzig via the A72, exit Geithain towards Rodaer Dorfstraße/B7.

Gnandstein: Parking lot at Gnandsteiner Hauptstraße 15 (paid)

Altenburg: Parking lot Kunstturm, parking lot Marstall

To Gnandstein:

By RE6 from Leipzig Hbf to Geithain. Then continue by bus 264 from Geithain to Gnandstein.

To Altenburg:

S-Bahn (S5, S5X)
Bus 580 Meuselwitz - Altenburg

Additional information

www.lutherweg.de

Author

Verena Daser

Organization

LEIPZIG REGION

Website

License (master data)

Verena Daser

License: no copyright required (Public domain) (no copyright)

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

Explorer tips:

Village church Gnandstein
Gnandstein Castle

In the village church just behind the entrance to Gnandstein are the epitaphs of the von Einsiedel family.

Place of interest

Tours