Discover Weitersglashütte

Weitersglashütte combines an unusually clear local history with tours along the Ore Mountains ridge and a protected raised bog landscape. The settlement was founded solely for glassmaking after a glassworks was established here in 1624. Operations there have been suspended since 1907. Those who like to shape their trip around landscape and history will find both as tangible themes for their time here.

Glassmaking history and raised bog

The historic glassworks produced simple panes as well as beer, wine, laboratory and pharmaceutical glass. The different types of glass offer a vivid connection to the local history of production at the time. The landscape also stands apart from the hiking trails: Weiters Glashütte is one of the well-known sites of living raised bogs in Saxony, which are protected within nature reserves.

The ridge trail also brings nature and activity together: its Stage 12 leads from Weitersglashütte towards Carlsfeld, passing the Hochmoor Weitersglashütte nature reserve. This offers a clear point of reference for anyone wishing to combine a hike with views of the bog landscape; the stage leads towards Carlsfeld rather than simply looping around the village.

Choose hiking trails by distance and character

For a circular hike around the Carlsfeld Reservoir, the 8.8-kilometre “Hike along the heights of the Ore Mountains ridge” starts in Weitersglashütte. A considerably longer option is “Along the ridge to Bohemia”: this 18.3-kilometre high-altitude hike goes via Henneberg to Hirschenstand / Jelení in the Czech Republic and back. This makes it easy to distinguish a loop around the reservoir from a cross-border tour by destination and distance.

The 15.5-kilometre “Double Pass on the Ore Mountains Ridge” is a Saxon-Bohemian border-pass loop starting in Weitersglashütte. It reaches the Bohemian side via a historic mountain pass trail. Much of the loop runs through a nature reserve; please stay on the trails there. The border-pass loop thus combines a specific historic route with clear consideration for the protected area.

Another circular hike, “Forest trails and waterside views in Carlsfeld,” starts and ends in Weitersglashütte. It follows the ridge trail and forest paths to the Carlsfeld Reservoir. The route is not signposted locally and requires digital route data. Plan to use it before setting out, and check the route data for your tour.

Winter tours and further discoveries

In winter, the Kammloipe cross-country ski trail passes directly through the village and is used by cross-country skiers. The seven-kilometre Kammloipe Tour No. 7 runs from Carlsfeld-Weitersglashütte over the reservoir dam and back to Weitersglashütte. Compared with the longer hiking loops, it is a shorter, clearly named circular ski tour; seasonal conditions on the route may vary. In summer and winter alike, Weitersglashütte also serves as a starting point for hiking, cycling and ski tours.

Those interested in mining history can include the 9.6-kilometre Carlsfeld / Weitersglashütte Mining Educational Trail in their trip plans. It complements the glassmaking history with another theme to discover along a route. The different trails—from the raised bog on the ridge trail to the border-pass loop and the mining trail—therefore offer a range of focuses, without every tour having the same character.

Plan your stay around your planned tours

If you are looking for accommodation, your planned activities can be a useful starting point when choosing where to stay: several of the tours mentioned start in Weitersglashütte, while the ridge trail stage towards Carlsfeld passes the raised bog. So first consider which routes and themes you want to shape your trip, and use this selection as a guide when looking for accommodation. The designated P1 car park is right in Weitersglashütte; check the car park information before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Wildenthal, Carlsfeld.

For the main travel overview: Eibenstock.