Discover Crinitzberg: Raised Bog, Granite and Village History

Crinitzberg brings together distinctive landscapes, village history and several described hiking trails. At Moosheide, the raised bog and protected plant life define the natural surroundings; in Bärenwalde and Obercrinitz, the trails also lead to historic sites and remarkable natural monuments. The route distances offer a practical basis for comparison when planning, while the church, baptismal stone and mineral spring reveal different facets of the area.

Moosheide: Raised Bog and Protected Plant Life

Crinitzberg lies in the southern part of the Kirchberger Granit Landscape Protection Area. The Moosheide Obercrinitz Nature Reserve covers around 62 hectares and includes Obercrinitz and Bärenwalde within Crinitzberg. Moosheide is a largely peat-extracted raised bog at an elevation of 490 to 500 metres and is among the lowest raised bogs in the Ore Mountains. Typical bog and marsh flora is part of its character. The area is also protected as woodland that serves as a water reservoir and is home to protected plant communities. Its elevation is therefore not the only notable feature; the special role of this landscape is equally important.

Hiking Trails of Different Lengths

The trails offer several ways to explore Crinitzberg on foot. The Bärenwalde circular hiking trail is 11 kilometres long and runs from the Gasthof Eisenbahn stop via the mineral spring to Moosheide. Along the way, it passes the beech tree natural monument with its stone plaque and a panoramic viewpoint on a hill. The route also includes a wildlife enclosure, a shelter, and wooden locomotive and crocodile figures. These named stops give the circular trail a mix of natural features and individual points of interest.

Two shorter routes offer a comparison by distance: the Obercrinitz–Amselgrund–Giegengrün–Lauterhofen–Obercrinitz loop is 8.5 kilometres long and starts at the Obercrinitz bus stop. Those who do not want a longer hike can return via Giegengrün or Lauterhofen. The 7-kilometre route along Alte Wildenauer Straße to the Sweden Spruce and back to Obercrinitz leads to the Sweden Spruce natural monument and passes through biotopes. At 7 kilometres, the route to the Sweden Spruce is 1.5 kilometres shorter than the 8.5-kilometre loop. Crinitzberg also has well-maintained, signposted trails to scenic spots within the municipality. As the condition of individual trails can change, it is best to check before setting out.

Village Church, Baptismal Stone and Summer Tradition

The church in Bärenwalde is considered the second-largest village church in Saxony. It was built in 1733, and its 50-metre-high tower was added in 1775. Its features include a protected, artistically designed organ. During the Christmas season, the Bornkinnel figure is displayed on the church altar. This seasonal change makes visiting the church a different experience from visiting outside the Christmas period, while its historic construction dates remain unchanged.

The baptismal stone offers a very different point of interest: this irregular, rounded granite block measures approximately 2 to 2.5 metres in diameter. A large basin and five seat-like hollows define its shape. The baptismal stone is a protected monument. An annual open-air church service is held there in summer. Its geological form and recurring summer tradition sit alongside the architectural and Christmas-season details of Bärenwalde Church.

Mineral Spring and Cycling Route

The Obercrinitz mineral spring was discovered in 1935 and was historically associated with local tourism. Following renovation, it was presented to the public again in 1999. Today, the water is contaminated and cannot be used for therapeutic purposes. This limitation is important to bear in mind when visiting the spring: its history and former significance for tourism should be distinguished from therapeutic use.

Cyclists can also connect to a longer-distance route: the 32.21-kilometre Rödelbach-Bürsten Route runs from Wilkau-Haßlau to the Eibenstock Reservoir and passes through Crinitzberg. It follows public roads throughout. After leaving Zwickau district, it enters the Erzgebirge Brush-Making Region and connects with the Saxon Low Mountain Range Cycle Route. The route description therefore covers both the passage through Crinitzberg and the onward section; road conditions may change.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Gersdorf, Neukirchen/Pleiße, Zwickau, Remse, Waldenburg, Hartenstein, Kirchberg and Werdau.

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