Best waterfall 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 (221)·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 (261)·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...
- 4.5 (157)·Moderate·7.7 km·Est. 2.5–3 hrPopular hiking trail in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Saxony. The Amselgrund, which is crossed by the Grünbach stream, begins south of Rathenwalde and ends at the Amselsee lake in the spa town of Rathen, where this route begins at the free Rosengarten car park. As cars are not permitted in the climatic health resort of Rathen, the town can only be reached via the small ferry. The hike into the charming town begins on the other side of the Elbe. First you reach the Amselsee lake, from...
- 4.6 (162)·Moderate·11.7 km·Est. 4–4.5 hrExciting 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...
- 4.7 (31)·Moderate·2.4 km·Est. 0.5–1 hrAn eventful walk in Saxon Switzerland, Saxony. The Schwedenlöcher are a popular excursion destination in Saxon Switzerland. This rather short route leads down into the adventurous, gorge-like ravine starting from the Bastei car park, which is subject to a charge. The route leads along the Gansweg to the Schwedenlöchern, where it continues through rocky alleyways, over 700 steps and several iron ladders. Turn round at the Schwedenturm and return the same way. A certain level of fitness is...
- 4.8 (95)·Hard·9.8 km·Est. 3.5–4 hrPanoramic hiking trail in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Saxony. Excellent views can be expected on this quite demanding tour. The route leads through the famous Affensteine and up the 458m high Carolafelsen. Starting at the Am Beuthefall car park, which is subject to a charge, it goes through the rock massifs of the Dietrichsgrund until you reach the impressive rock marbles along the Oberen Affenstein Promenade. Via the sand hole, it finally goes up to the small Prebischtor and on...
- 4.4 (59)·Moderate·5.6 km·Est. 2–2.5 hrFamily-friendly short hike in Bad Schandau, Saxony. The beautiful tour starts at the Beuthefall car park, which is subject to a charge. There is also a bus stop with the same name right by the parking lot. From there it goes through the Dietrichsgrund to the scenic route along the Langen Horn. This rising path finally leads over the Carolafelsen to a highlight of the tour - the Wilde Hölle. The path leads through the adventurous, wild and romantic gorge. Slightly descending, we proceed in...
- 4.8 (48)·Moderate·6.6 km·Est. 2.5–3 hrChallenging and varied circular hike in the Saxon Switzerland National Park near Sebnitz, Saxony. This panoramic circular hike starts at the "Nasser Grund" hiking car park in the Kirnitzschtal valley and leads via the "Kleiner Dom" and "Großer Winterberg" up to the "Carolafelsen". Here you can take a break and enjoy the fantastic panoramic view. The route continues into the wild and romantic "Wilde Hölle" gorge. Here you need to be alert, have a head for heights and be sure-footed - pitons...
- 4.6 (51)·Hard·16.1 kmVersatile hike in Saxon Switzerland, Saxony. This is a moderate route over the Schrammsteine and through the Wilde Hölle and Höllentor to the Carolafelsen. The car park at the Ostrauer Mühle mill is a good starting point for this tour through Saxon Switzerland. However, you can also reach the starting point by public transport. The circular tour is characterised by smaller and larger hills and mountains and combines various attractions of Saxon Switzerland such as the Falkenstein viewpoint,...
- 4.6 (43)·Moderate·13.8 km·Est. 5–5.5 hrFabulous circular hiking tour in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Saxony. This fabulous excursion can be started at the Lichtenhainer Wasserfall car park, which is subject to a charge. You can also take an 80-year-old tram, the Kirnitzschtalbahn, from Bad Schandau to Beuthenfall. There you can visit the spectacular Lichtenhain waterfall. Continue to the popular "Kuhstall" where you can take a break - but please note that it can get very crowded there. The route then continues to the...
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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.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best waterfall trail to hike in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
According to users from AllTrails.com, the best waterfall trail to hike in Saxon Switzerland National Park is Malerweg Stage 4: Altendorf - Neumannmühle, which has a 4.7 star rating from 221 reviews. This trail is 18.5 km long with an elevation gain of 744 m.
What is the longest waterfall trail in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest waterfall trail in Saxon Switzerland National Park is Perlen der Sächsischen Schweiz 2021 (50 km). This trail is estimated to be 49.6 km long.
How many waterfall trails are in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
There are 83 waterfall trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park.These waterfall trails have an average 4.5-star ratingfrom NaN AllTrails community reviews.
Which waterfall trail has the most elevation gain in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
From Bad Schandau to Hinterhermsdorf has the most elevation gain for waterfall trails with 1,795 m of total ascent. The park's runner-up is City of Wehlen - Koenigstein - Hohnstein, which has 1,775 m of elevation gain.
Activities
- Backpacking trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
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- Bird watching trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
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- 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
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- Long trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
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- River trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Short trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Trails with historic sites in Saxon Switzerland National Park
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- Trails with views in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Waterfall trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
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- Wildlife trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
Suitability
- Child-friendly trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
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- Partially paved trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
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- Trails for dogs on lead in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Wheelchair-friendly trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park