Best wildflower trails in Saxony

This popular circular walk with stunning views starts at the Ostrau car park and leads to the Schrammsteine and the Carolafelsen. Wearing sturdy footwear is strongly recommended, as, in addition to sections along roads, the trail takes you over interesting steps (such as the Wildschützensteig), up steep staircases and up ladders – as well as through narrow, damp and slippery crevices. Your efforts will be rewarded with magnificent views of Saxon Switzerland.

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...

Popular, scenic hiking trail in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Saxony. The tour starts at the market square in Bad Schandau. It is possible to use one of the car parks there or arrive by bus. The ferry landing stage is also not far away. The hike leads to the ladders of the Schrammsteine, along striking rocks and narrow paths. In addition to numerous marvelous views, the route also offers fairytale gorges and natural monuments. The first highlight of the tour is the fascinating...

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...

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...

Spectacular panoramic circular route on the Pfaffenstein in Saxony This exciting route starts at the Gasthaus zum Paffenstein. Alternating between normal paths and those that lead between rocks ("Eye of a Needle") makes this tour very interesting and varied. The many marvellous views of the Königstein and other rock formations in Saxon Switzerland are spectacular. An iron ladder (staircase) leads up to the "Tafelberg". The cave of a 19th century counterfeiter can also be explored. On the...

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...