On the trail of the old mining industry (Geyer)

The starting point of the hike is the sink-hole/collapse shaft: the symbol of Geyer and also a significant natural monument. Enormous cavities were formed as a result of over-mining and through the old mining technique of “fire-setting”, which led to the collapse of the Geyersberg in 1704 and 1803, exposing the mine’s interior. It is possible to take a tour through and around the sink-hole/collapse shaft ‒ a guided tour is recommended.

From the old administration building (“Huthaus”), turn left back to Ehrenfriedersdorfer Strasse. Cross this road. At the signpost on the right, take the red-marked Eisenach-Budapest (EB) trail for about 50 m to the signpost. Turn right here onto the EB trail and follow the road to the left to Schlegelsberg (Walthershöhe). At the signpost (Pollmer memorial stone) turn right on the EB trail to the signpost on the left of the bench. Turn right here, heading downhill to the Hochwald. At the signpost on the right on the EB, continue straight downhill. Cross the road, over the bridge to the Greifenbach, then follow the EB markers left (red/yellow/green markers), past the ski jumping hills (car park); on the right is the information panel for the “Bergbau Seifengebiet”. Continue to the junction, then turn left to the signpost uphill; head right following the white-yellow-white markers to the Greifensteinstollen (snack bar). Walk from the adit to the discovery trail keeping the Röhrgraben to the right, straight ahead (the “Röhrgraben” is a technical monument ‒ the oldest “Kunstgraben”, or man-made ditch still preserved in the Ore Mountains). We arrive at the Garisch-Stollen tunnel, which was dug out below the Röhrgraben in 1490, situated opposite the “Garisch-Gegentrum-Stolln” tunnel (mentioned in 1565) on the Geyer side. We then come to the remains of an old stamp mill with cobbing table at the Röhrgraben. Continue along the educational trail, cross the valley road, and you will reach the Goldener Adler Stollen, an exploratory adit. At the hut, turn left onto the valley road, following the EB trail until you reach the Greifenbachstauweiher reservoir, which was built in connection with the construction of the 14th century Röhrgraben ditch (car park and snack bar here). Turn left over the dam crest, then left onto Thumer Strasse (car park), following the road towards Geyer. Switch left onto the pedestrian path. At the top of the car park, turn left towards the water park. At the signpost on the left, follow the farm track on the right straight on to Geyer. At the signpost on the left, head straight on to Ehrenfriedersdorfer Strasse, cross it, and continue straight on to the administration and assembly building (“Huthaus”) at the collapse shaft and where your tour started.