The Elster valley railway line is the most bridged railway line in Europe. It runs from the German state of Thuringia to the Czech Republic and is around 120 kilometres long, with 30 stations and stops and 140 years of tradition. The railway line offers passengers a fantastic natural scenery along the White Elster with touristic highlights all around the year.
The Elster valley railway line connects cities such as the Otto-Dix city of Gera (Thuringia), the residence city of Greiz, Plauen as the city of the lace, the city of carpets Oelsnitz, Adorf as the gateway to the “Upper Vogtland” and the city of Egerland, Cheb (Czech Republic). The traditional thermal spas Bad Elster, Bad Brambach and Franzensbad are also on this route.
The romantic river valley of the White Elster is perfect for long walks, exciting hikes or scenic cycling tours. Bicycles can also be transported on the Vogtlandbahn. A really rare flora and fauna has been preserved in untouched nature. The certified “Vogtland Panorama Weg®” and the “Elsterperlenweg®” follow the river. A section of the 400 km long “Thuringia Trail” also leads through the floodplains of the White Elster.
Many parts of the Vogtland are under preservation order, with historical buildings and traditional craftwork. Popular sights along the route are the lower Greiz Castle, the Elster Valley Bridge, the 225-year-old wooden bridge in Wünschendorf and the 1000-year-old Veitskirche, the Pirk Reservoir, Voigtsberg Oelsnitz Castle, the King Albert Theatre in Bad Elster and the castle in Cheb.
Would you like a giant tour? Two vogtland railway lines run along the river: the RB 2 line from Cheb via Weischlitz to Plauen and on towards Zwickau and the RB 4 line from Weischlitz via Greiz to Gera.
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