Weitersglashütte is a starting point for hiking, cycling and skiing tours in both summer and winter. The Kammloipe trail passes right by the village and is used by cross-country skiers in winter. This offers different options for your plans: a hike to the reservoir, a longer loop along the Ore Mountains Ridge or a ski tour. The route lengths and named destinations make it easy to compare the options.
A settlement founded around a glassworks
The glassworks was founded in 1624; Weitersglashütte grew from it as a settlement established solely for the glassworks. Operations ceased in 1907. Historically, the glassworks produced simple panes as well as beer, wine, laboratory and pharmacy glassware. The village’s origins and its former production are therefore directly connected: the glassworks was not just a later part of the village’s history, but the reason the settlement was established.
This history offers a distinct way to explore the village, alongside its current touring opportunities. If you would like to include local development in your trip, the history of the glassworks provides a clear historical reference point. It tells the story of an operation whose products ranged from simple panes to various types of glass for trade and specialized uses.
Choose hikes by length and destination
The “Höhenwanderung am Erzgebirgskamm” is an 8.8-kilometre circular hike around the Carlsfeld Reservoir, starting in Weitersglashütte. A longer option is the 15.5-kilometre “Doppelpass am Erzgebirgskamm,” a cross-border loop along the Saxon-Bohemian border that starts in the village. It reaches the Bohemian side via a historic mountain pass route. The 18.3-kilometre high-altitude hike “Am Kamm entlang nach Böhmen” leads from Weitersglashütte via Henneberg to Hirschenstand / Jelení (CZ) and back.
The routes differ not only in length: one is a circular hike around the reservoir, one is a border-pass loop that crosses to the Bohemian side, and one goes via the named places and back. This lets you choose based on your preferred route length and hiking destination, without combining the three tours into a single route.
Ski tour and mining trail
For a specific winter outing, Kammloipe Tour No. 7 is an option: this 7-kilometre circular ski tour starts in Carlsfeld-Weitersglashütte, crosses the reservoir dam and returns to Weitersglashütte. Seasonal trail conditions may vary, so check before setting out on this tour. The Kammloipe itself is used by cross-country skiers in winter and passes right by the village.
The 9.6-kilometre Carlsfeld / Weitersglashütte Mining Trail explores a different subject. Its name points to the area’s mining heritage as another theme alongside the history of the glassworks. If you are choosing between tours, there are options of different lengths that relate to the landscape, the border region and regional history.
Raised bog and trails in the nature reserve
Weitersglashütte is among Saxony’s best-known sites of active raised bogs; these sites are protected in nature reserves. The ridge trail also takes in the raised bog: Stage 12 leads from Weitersglashütte towards Carlsfeld, passing the Weitersglashütte Raised Bog Nature Reserve. The Saxon-Bohemian border-pass loop runs mostly through a nature reserve. You must stay on the trails there; keep to the trails throughout this loop.
Practical tips for planning your tours
The “Waldpfade und Wasserblicke in Carlsfeld” circular hike starts in Weitersglashütte, follows the ridge trail and forest paths to the Carlsfeld Reservoir, and returns to Weitersglashütte. It is not signposted locally; digital route data are required. Check these before setting out. The designated P1 car park is right in Weitersglashütte. If you plan to use it, check the parking situation before your visit, as local conditions may change.
Discover more destinations: Wildenthal, Carlsfeld
For the main travel overview: Eibenstock.
