Jöhstadt combines a 750-millimetre narrow-gauge railway with industrial heritage buildings and traces of silver and cobalt mining. The Preßnitztal Railway runs for around eight kilometres between Jöhstadt and Steinbach near Jöhstadt. In Schmalzgrube, the ironworks with its blast furnace and manor house are part of the town’s history; the Andreas-Gegentrum adit is a reminder of historic ore mining. There are also extensive hiking opportunities and other activities. When planning your visit, you can first decide whether the railway, mining history, or trails and sporting activities should be the focus of your stay.

Preßnitztal Railway: Route and station

The Preßnitztal Railway is a narrow-gauge railway with a track gauge of 750 millimetres. Its route, around eight kilometres long, connects Jöhstadt with Steinbach near Jöhstadt; Schmalzgrube is along the way. From Steinbach to Schmalzgrube, the railway follows the Preßnitz, then continues to Jöhstadt along the Jöhstädter Schwarzwasser. Jöhstadt station is the home station for the locomotives, an operating base, and also the highest station on the Preßnitztal Railway. The heritage railway is considered one of the main attractions in the town. If you are planning a trip, check the timetable before you travel.

Mining and industrial history

Schmalzgrube offers two clear historical landmarks: the ironworks’ blast furnace was built in 1659, and the manor house in 1776. Together, the two buildings are considered evidence of early industrial pig-iron production. The old blast furnace in Schmalzgrube is also considered part of the UNESCO World Heritage project for the Ore Mountains Mining Region. Silver and cobalt were mined at the Andreas-Gegentrum adit in the 18th and 19th centuries; the visitor mine is considered one of the main attractions in the town. Another historical highlight is St. Salvator Church, which houses a historic Göthel organ.

Hiking and other activities

Jöhstadt offers extensive hiking opportunities, and local trails and routes are well signposted. An adventure tour leads from Jöhstadt to the Preßnitz drinking-water reservoir. There are also rest areas along trails in the Jöhstadt area. If you are looking for a sporting challenge rather than a hike, consider climbing at Einsame Spitze. In the Schwarzwasser-Preßnitztal nature experience area, fishing is possible at a private pond without a fishing licence. In the Ore Mountains District, the Panoramaweg Schwarzenberg is a circular hike along the heights surrounding Schwarzenberg. It is 13.8 kilometres long and takes about four hours and five minutes. The Ore Mountains District’s signposted hiking trail network covers around 4,500 kilometres. The approximate duration of a specific loop and the size of the regional trail network therefore offer different scales for planning.

Culture in the Ore Mountains District

In the Ore Mountains District, Seiffen offers another perspective on cultural history: it is considered the cradle of Ore Mountains folk art. The Ore Mountains Open-Air Museum in Seiffen displays historic buildings and workshops from the 19th and early 20th centuries. At the heart of the museum is the original Preißler lathe, preserved in its original condition and powered by water.

Discover more destinations: Schneeberg, Dorfchemnitz, Amtsberg, Niederwürschnitz, Lauter/Sachsen, Hormersdorf, Deutschneudorf, Bärenstein

For the broader travel overview: Ore Mountains District.