Kurort Kipsdorf – Hiking, Railway and Churches
Accommodation in Kurort Kipsdorf
Kurort Kipsdorf is surrounded by forests and offers a variety of hiking opportunities. It is also home to the terminus of the Weißeritztalbahn railway, the Bergkirche church and the “Maria im Gebirge” chapel. This gives you three specific topics to consider when planning your visit: trails, a train ride and architectural history. The routes and dates offer different points of reference for tailoring your stay to your interests.
Hiking: two routes with their own waypoints
The Kipsdorf–Schmiedeberg railway hiking trail passes the “Maria im Gebirge” chapel and crosses the Rote Weißeritz about 600 m beyond Kurort Kipsdorf station. The chapel and river crossing are two specific waypoints along this route. By contrast, the Glockentour leads from Kipsdorf to Altenberg via Bärenfels and Schellerhau. The routes differ both in their destinations—Schmiedeberg versus Altenberg—and in the named points along the way: the chapel and river crossing on the railway hiking trail, and Bärenfels and Schellerhau on the Glockentour. This can help you choose a tour based on its destination or a named waypoint.
WeiĂźeritztalbahn: the line to the terminus
The WeiĂźeritztalbahn carries passengers every day from Freital-Hainsberg to Kurort Kipsdorf. This 750 mm narrow-gauge railway was built between 1881 and 1883; its line is 26.3 km long and climbs 350 m in elevation. On the way to the terminus, it passes through its steepest section beyond BuschmĂĽhle stop. The route, elevation gain and final stop provide different points of reference for a train journey. Timetables and possible maintenance periods may change; check the information for your travel date.
Bergkirche and chapel: architectural history in Kipsdorf
Kipsdorf’s Bergkirche was built in 1907/1908 to designs by William Lossow and Max Hans Kühne. It was consecrated on 22 September 1908 and restored in 1956 and 1988. This distinguishes the construction period, consecration and two later restorations chronologically. The “Maria im Gebirge” chapel has a different history: it was created in 1925 by converting a former carbide gas plant and was blessed on 19 July 1925. The Bergkirche’s architectural history includes its architects and later restorations; the chapel’s origins include the conversion of the former building.
Getting your bearings at the station
Kurort Kipsdorf has a public car park about a ten-minute walk from the station. If you arrive by car, you can take this approximate walking time into account when planning your route to the station. As parking options may change, check the latest information before you travel. Along with the station and the hiking trails described above, the car park provides an additional practical point of reference on arrival.
Discover more destinations: Hermsdorf/Erzgebirge, Bärenburg, Schellerhau.
For the main travel overview: Altenberg.
