Best bike touring trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
The Saxon Switzerland National Park is located in the federal state of Saxony, covers an area of 93.5 square kilometres and lies in two geographically separate regions. The western area includes the Rathen area with the famous Bastei Bridge, the Lilienstein and the Polenztal, while the eastern area covers the Schrammsteine, the Großer Winterberg and Hintere Sächsische Schweiz.
The landscape consists of wooded areas, gorges and bizarre rock formations with hundreds of opportunities for hikers and climbers. When visiting the park, be sure to explore the Malerweg to see all the interesting and unique rock formations this national park has to offer.
In the neighbouring Czech Republic, the protected area continues as the Bohemian Switzerland National Park.
Top trails
- 4.1 (18)·Hard·29.3 km·Est. 8.5–9.5 hrVaried hike from Bad Schandau, Saxony. This scenic bike tour through the Saxon Switzerland National Park begins and ends in Bad Schandau. From there you cycle for a good half of the route along the Kirnitzschtalstrasse, following the course of the river of the same name. A detour to the Lichtenhainer waterfall can be planned on the route. Another detour follows to the cowshed. A bit of perseverance is required here. It goes steeply uphill and is rewarded with a magnificent view. Back to...
- 4.6 (17)·Moderate·10.3 km·Est. 3–3.5 hrPicturesque hiking trail with great views in Saxon Switzerland. The hike begins at the railway station in the town of Wehlen. The first stop is the ferry station, where you take the ferry across the Danube. The trail then leads through deep forests along numerous viewpoints through Saxon Switzerland. There is always the opportunity to take a detour to one of the numerous caves. After another ferry crossing, you reach your destination, the spa town of Rathen. Highlights of the hike: -...
- 4.7 (9)·Moderate·32 km·Est. 8–9 hrCharming cycle tour from Schmlka in Saxon Switzerland, Saxony. This is a lovely cycle tour that can be started in Schmilka. First you cycle along the Elbe on a well-maintained cycle path to Bad Schandau. There the route turns off towards Ostrauer Mühle and on to the Lichtenhain waterfall and finally Lichtenhain. The route there leads mostly through shady forest. From Lichtenhain it goes via Mittelndorf, Altendorf and Wustmanndörfel back to Bad Schandau and back along the Elbe to the...
- 5.0 (1)·Hard·41.8 km·Est. 10.5–11.5 hrThe cycle route runs from the campsite on Treidlerweg in Königstein along the Elbe Cycle Route to Bad Schandau, into the Kirnitzsch Valley as far as the Lichtenhain Waterfall, then along the cycle paths into the Zahnsgrund valley and back along the Elbe Cycle Route to Schmilka and Hřensko. Back in Schmilka, take the ferry (subject to a fee) to the other side of the Elbe and follow the Elbe Cycle Route back to Königstein on this side of the river. Alternative starting point: Königstein or Bad...
- 4.3 (22)·Hard·15.9 km·Est. 5–5.5 hrThis hike leads through the heart of the Saxon Switzerland National Park and connects the spa town of Rathen with the historic town of Wehlen. The trail leads up to the famous Bastei Bridge, a sandstone bridge built in 1851, which offers spectacular views of the Elbe valley and the table mountains such as the Lilienstein. A special experience is the descent through the Schwedenlöcher, a gorge-like ravine with over 700 steps, which served as a refuge for farmers from Swedish soldiers during...
- 4.3 (13)·Hard·36.7 km·Est. 13–14 hrVaried, idyllic circular hiking trail near Wehlen, Saxony. The start and finish of this fantastic circular walk is Wehlen railway station. The route leads through forest and along meadows via the Götzinger Höhle cave to Königstein Fortress. The route now takes you around Königstein, through deep forest areas along Jäckelfels and St Peter's Church to the Elbe. Here you take the ferry across and walk northwards over the Lilienstein. From here, you follow the Elbe for a while until the trail...
Visitor info
The National Park's main visitor centre is located in Bad Schandau. Here, permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as a large multivision show provide first-hand impressions of the national park. The centre is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm from April to October. Between November and March, the centre is closed on Mondays, from Tuesdays to Fridays it is open from 9 am to 5 pm and at weekends from 10 am to 4 pm.
Admission to the visitor centre is charged.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best trail for bike touring in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
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How many bike touring trails are in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
Which bike touring trail has the most elevation gain in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
Activities
- Backpacking trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Bike touring trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Bird watching trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Camping trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Rock climbing trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Via ferrata trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Walking trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
Attractions
- Beach trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Cave trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Easy trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Forest trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Hard trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Lake trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Long trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Moderate trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- River trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Short trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Trails with historic sites in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Trails with no dogs in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Trails with views in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Waterfall trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Wildflower trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Wildlife trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
Suitability
- Child-friendly trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Dog-friendly trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Partially paved trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Pram-friendly trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Trails for dogs on lead in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Wheelchair-friendly trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park