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Fairy Fritillary Meadows in the Polenz Valley

Hiking trail · Saxon Switzerland
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  • Märzenbecher im Polenztal
    Märzenbecher im Polenztal
    Photo: Archiv Nationalparkverwaltung Sächsische Schweiz
m 300 250 200 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 km
The first warm rays of sunshine in spring entice you into nature! The Upper Polenz Valley has a special natural spectacle to offer every year, as thousands of snowflakes blossom on the wide meadows of the Polenz Valley. But the Upper Polenz Valley is also worth a visit in all other seasons.
moderate
Distance 8.7 km
2:30 h
122 m
121 m
338 m
216 m
Village square in Heeselicht ("yellow line") - Scheibenmühle - Hussitenstollen - Bockmühle ("red dot") - Stolpen ("green line") - Heeselicht

Author’s recommendation

This tour is suitable for dogs and families with children. Small children are best carried in a back carrier.
Difficulty
moderate
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
338 m
Lowest point
216 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Show elevation profile

Safety information

Please note that this is not a cycling route.

Tips and hints

Tourist Information Stolpen: 03597327313

Link to hosts in the vicinity

Start

Village square (market) (325 m)
Coordinates:
DD
51.007812, 14.090488
DMS
51°00'28.1"N 14°05'25.8"E
UTM
33U 436191 5651087
w3w 
///potbelly.thinly.captions

Destination

Village square (market)

Turn-by-turn directions

From the village square (market) in Heeselicht, we take a small dirt path marked "yellow line" in the direction of Polenztal/ Scheibenmühle. The very lovingly designed signposts for the Märzenbechern-Rundweg also give us orientation. First we walk through a beautiful meadow valley past small ponds, then we meet a small asphalt road at the last houses of the village and hike down the increasingly steep path to Polenztal. At the Scheibenmühle we have reached the Polenz.

Before we cross the bridge, we want to look for the mouth of the Hussite tunnel. Directly on the bank downstream, we can discover the barred entrance. In the Middle Ages, tin was dug here. It is 125 metres long. Now bats regularly take up their quarters in it.

Back at the bridge, we cross the Polenz and walk upstream on the Polenztalweg in the direction of Bockmühle with the "red dot" marking. Now our path winds its way with small ascents and descents through the valley, past granite rocks, small rock spurs and the wide meadows of mullein.

Endangered species such as the bullhead live in the fish-rich Polenz. The otter and beaver have also been recorded. Birds found here are the dipper, kingfisher, grey wagtail and black stork. There is also evidence of eight bat species.

The Bockmühle (restaurant) is a good place for a rest. From here we hike up the road towards Stolpen (marked "green line"). At the top of the hill, turn off at the large farmstead (Luschdorfhof) onto the hiking trail towards Heeselicht (signposted Märzenbecherweg). When you reach the edge of the forest, you will see a sign indicating the disappeared village of Luschdorf. Passing the fallow deer enclosure with a resting place, we walk back to Heeselicht amidst meadows and fields.

GPS data updated 2022

Note


all notes on protected areas

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Bus line 237 (Pirna - Bastei - Rathewalde - Hohnstein - Sebnitz)

Getting there

S161 via Basteistraße to market Heeselicht

Parking

Parking space at the market in Heeselicht

Coordinates

DD
51.007812, 14.090488
DMS
51°00'28.1"N 14°05'25.8"E
UTM
33U 436191 5651087
w3w 
///potbelly.thinly.captions
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

Order here: https://shop.saechsische-schweiz.de/wanderfuehrer/

Author’s map recommendations

Buy here: https://shop.saechsische-schweiz.de/wanderkarten/

Equipment

Sturdy shoes, food if needed

Questions and answers

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Difficulty
moderate
Distance
8.7 km
Duration
2:30 h
Ascent
122 m
Descent
121 m
Highest point
338 m
Lowest point
216 m
Public-transport-friendly Circular route Refreshment stops available Family-friendly Cultural/historical interest Geological highlights Flora Fauna Dog-friendly

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