The Chemnitz is formed by the confluence of the Würschnitz (Hügelbach) and the larger Zwönitz (Zvonica - sounding stream) in the south of the city of Chemnitz (in the Altchemnitz district) and runs parallel to Annaberger Straße to the city center (Falkeplatz). The Chemnitz then flows west past Brühl, before leaving the city of Chemnitz in the Chemnitz valley through the Furth and Draisdorf districts at the level of the Schützenwald.
The river leaves the city in the north and flows past Taura. A little further down, the valley narrows like a gorge to several rocky gorges in the so-called Schweizerthal. Here the Chemnitz forms blocks of whitewater with a high gradient. Two kilometers south of Wechselburg, the Chemnitz flows into the Zwickauer Mulde, which also flows in a very narrow valley here. The Chemnitz supplied hydroelectric power for local craft and industrial companies, especially in the 19th century.
From Furth to Taura, the federal highway 107 follows the river on the right bank, from there the state highway S 240 to Mohsdorf on the left bank, then to Göritzhain on the right bank. From Furth to the mouth, the Chemnitz Valley Railway, which was closed at the end of 2002, also followed the valley of the river, but changed banks several times. The Chemnitz Valley Cycle Path now runs on or next to the former route.