Best river trails in Saxony

Scenic out-and-back walk in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, Saxony, Germany The tour starts at the Bastei car park and leads to the famous Felsenburg. On the way, magnificent views of the rocky natural landscape can be enjoyed and there are many sights worth seeing. The tour continues through the "Felsentor" (rock gate) to the Bastei Bridge. There is the famous view of the Elbe from the viewing platform on the Bastei Rock. Once at the top, there is a fantastic panoramic view of the Tafel...

Varied hiking trail in Saxon Switzerland. This popular circular hike starts at the market square in the town of Wehlen and leads along beautiful forest paths to the famous sandstone formations. It can also be comfortably reached by bus. From the starting point, the path leads steadily uphill past the Steinerner Tisch to the bastion. There you can linger a little and enjoy the view. You return via the spa town of Rathen, Altrathen Castle along the Elbe to the starting point of the...

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...

Adventurous hiking trail with many highlights in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Saxony. This adventurous year-round hike leads to the Kuhstall viewing plateau and the Lichtenhain waterfall in the popular Kirnitzschtal valley. The Kuhstallstrasse and the Kuhstall are particularly popular. The starting and finishing point is at the Kirschnitz valley railway "Lichtenhainer Wasserfall". (Bus journey possible) You will pass the largest rock gate in Saxon Switzerland. To the cowshed, the...

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...

Family-friendly hike in Bad Schandau, Saxony. This scenic excursion starts at the free Zahnsgrund car park and leads to the famous rock formations of the Saxon Switzerland National Park - the Schrammsteine. The route there via the Schießgrund leads gently but steadily uphill. Once at the top, the trail can optionally be extended to the Schrammstein viewpoint. The Elbleitenweg takes you slightly downhill to the Schießgrund, where you finally return to the starting point. The route is quite...

Exciting and varied hiking trail in Saxon, Switzerland, Saxony. It starts in Bad Schandau. The adventure begins with riding an 80-year-old tram, the Kirnitzschtalbahn, from Bad Schandau to Beuthenfall. You can visit the spectacular Lichtenhain waterfall, which is the starting point for the hike. The "Kuhstall" offers a nice place to take a break - but it can get very crowded there. Then it goes on to the new Widerstein and via the Fremdenweg and the Königsstraße to the Idargrotte. Many...

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...

Popular hiking trail in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Saxony. From the ferry car park, a small ferry goeas to the starting point in teh climatic health resort of Rathen (note prices and timetable). From there, the trail leads up steeply in places into the bizarre rocky world of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The historic stone Bastei Bridge spans the Mardertelle at lofty heights and connects striking sandstone towers. Between weathered reefs and gnarled pine trees, the view opens up...