Best views 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
- 4.7 (561)·Moderate·7.4 km·Est. 2.5–3 hrPopular hiking trail in Saxon Switzerland National Park, Saxony. In addition to the Batei, the Schrammsteine are probably the most well-known motif in Saxon Switzerland. Together with the adjacent Affensteinen, the Schrammsteine form unique wild rock formations in the center of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This route takes you through the complex rock labyrinth of hiking trails and via ferratas and partly over ladders and slippery rocks. In winter and on rainy days, parts of the trail can...
- 4.5 (179)·Moderate·2.4 km·Est. 0.5–1 hrScenic 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...
- 4.6 (294)·Moderate·9.7 km·Est. 2.5–3 hrVaried 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...
- 4.7 (223)·Hard·18.5 km·Est. 6–7 hrThis 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...
- 4.5 (263)·Moderate·4.5 kmAdventurous 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...
- 4.7 (236)·Moderate·13.2 kmThis 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.
- 4.7 (244)·Moderate·11.7 km·Est. 3–3.5 hrThis 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...
- 4.5 (212)·Moderate·14 km·Est. 4.5–5 hrThis 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...
- 4.6 (128)·Moderate·7.1 km·Est. 2.5–3 hrFamily-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...
- 4.5 (121)·Moderate·15.4 km·Est. 5–5.5 hrPopular, 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...
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Visitor info
Hours & contact
Open 24 hours
Accessibility
General park hours
Every day • Open 24 hours
Phone
04903 5022
Facilities
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.
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