Best backpacking trails in Saxony

This route is stage 4 of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This segment leads from Altendorf to the Neumannmühle. Highlights include the imposing Schrammsteine cliffs with their famous viewpoint, the Lichtenhain Waterfall, and the massive Kuhstall rock gate, reached via the narrow Ladder to Heaven (Himmelsleiter). Overnight stays are available in guesthouses in the Kirnitzsch Valley; camping is prohibited within the national park. Surefootedness and a...

This route is stage 1 of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This section leads from Pirna-Liebethal to Stadt Wehlen. The path follows the Wesenitz River through the romantic Liebethaler Grund, passing the Richard Wagner Monument, and continues through the Uttewalder Grund with its famous rock gate. Overnight stays are available in guesthouses in Stadt Wehlen; camping is prohibited within the national park. Potable water should be carried or refilled at...

This route is stage 3 of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This segment leads from the castle town of Hohnstein to Altendorf. Highlights include the famous Brand viewpoint, offering expansive vistas over the Polenz Valley, and the descent via 800 steps into the "Tiefer Grund." The path continues through the wild and romantic Kohlichtgraben and along the Sebnitz River to the destination. Overnight stays are available in guesthouses in Altendorf; camping...

This route is stage 5 of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This segment leads from the Neumannmühle in the Kirnitzsch Valley to the border village of Schmilka. Highlights include the Arnstein rock and the steep climb through the Wolfsschlüchte to the Großer Winterberg, the second-highest mountain in Saxon Switzerland, before descending into the organic village of Schmilka with its historic water mill. Overnight stays are available in guesthouses and...

This route is stage 6 of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This segment leads from Schmilka across the Elbe River to the spa town of Gohrisch. Highlights include the baroque village church in Reinhardtsdorf and the climbs up the striking table mountains Papststein and Gohrisch, which offer expansive panoramic views of the rock formations on the left bank of the Elbe. Overnight stays are available in guesthouses and hotels in Kurort Gohrisch; camping...

This route is stage 7 of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This segment leads from the spa town of Gohrisch across striking table mountains to Weißig. Highlights include the climb through the Needle's Eye (Nadelöhr) onto the Pfaffenstein, the Quirl table mountain, and the monumental Königstein Fortress. The path continues through Thürmsdorf and its Malerweg Chapel, offering panoramic views, until reaching the destination. Overnight stays are available...

This route is stage 8—the final stage—of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This section leads from Weißig to the finish line in the historic old town of Pirna. Highlights include the ridge path over the Rauenstein table mountain with its impressive panoramas and the trail along the upper edge of former quarries to the Königsnase viewpoint. The path eventually follows the Elbe River and the Canaletto Trail to the Pirna market square. Overnight stays...

Panoramic route through Saxon Switzerland from Schmilka, Saxony. This circular route leads from the Schmilka ferry stop through the unique and popular Saxon Switzerland National Park. The route first follows the Elbleitenweg to the popular Schrammsteinen including a view of the Schrammstein. From there it continues picturesquely on the ridge path. Here the Breite-Kluft view and the Carolafelsen await. From there the path leads over the Reitsteig to the Großer Winterberg and the Kipphorn...

Left Elbe section of the Elbe Cycle Route in Saxony. The stage starts in Dresden and leads to Schmilka. It can also be used as a day trip and departed from Schmilka-Hirschmühle station. On the way, there are the charming, historic town centres of Dresden, Rathen, Königstsein and Bad Schandau to discover, always accompanied by magnificent views of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains . For those interested in model railways, a trip to the spa town of Rathen with the world's largest garden railway is...

This route is stage 2 of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This segment leads from Stadt Wehlen across the world-famous Bastei to Hohnstein. Highlights include the iconic Bastei Bridge with expansive views, Lake Amsel, and the spectacular Wolf's Gorge (Wolfsschlucht) in the Polenz Valley before the path ends at Hohnstein Castle. Overnight stays are available in guesthouses and hotels in Stadt Wehlen or Hohnstein; camping is prohibited within the...