Felsentor - Schwedenlöcher - Bastei

Challenging circular hiking trail in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Saxony. This circular hike in Saxon Switzerland offers a good balance between quiet sections of the trail and popular attractions. For example, it can get extremely crowded around the famous Bastei or the Schwedenlöcher, especially on summer weekends. The route starts in Uttewalde at the Bruno Monument, which can be easily reached by bus. From there, the route is fairly relaxed until the junction with Amselgrund. From there, the route descends past the marvellous Amselfall until the crossroads leads to the Schwedenlöchern. The path to the Schwedenlöchern leads through rocky alleyways, over 700 steps and several iron ladders past the Schwedenturm tower to the Gansweg. The next highlight awaits after a steep descent - the famous rock formations of the Bastei, the Bastei Bridge and great viewpoints such as the Ferdinandaussicht. From the Bastei, the trail descends quite steeply to the spa town of Rathen, where you can enjoy a refreshment stop before the hike leads along the Elbe to Wehlen. From Wehlen, the route finally heads back in a northerly direction. Highlights of the hike: - Bastei with Bastei Bridge - Rock gate - Schwedenlöcher - Blackbird Falls - magnificent views of the Elbe valley - Rathen health resort - Wehlen castle ruins