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Best trails in Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz, Germany
Looking for a great trail in Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz, Saxony? AllTrails has 61 great hiking trails, forest trails, views trails and more, with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers, and nature lovers like you. Ready for some activity? There are 42 moderate trails in Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz ranging from 1.6 to 15.1 miles and from 334 to 1,807 feet above sea level. Start checking them out and you'll be out on the trail in no time!
Description
The Saxon Switzerland National Park is located in the state of Saxony and in-between two geographically separate regions. The western area includes the Basteigebirge, the Lilienstein and the Polentas, whereas the Schrammsteine, the Großer Winterberg and the lower Saxon Switzerland belong to the eastern area. The typical landscape shows forest, gorges and bizarre rock formations with hundreds of opportunities for hikers, bikers and climbers. If you are visiting for the national park, you should definitely explore the Malerweg to see all the interesting and unique rock formations that it has to offer. In the neighboring Czech Republic, the protected area continues as the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. The main visitor center of the national park is in Bad Schandau. Here, permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as a large multi-vision show provide up-close impressions of the beautiful nature. From April to October it is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Between November and March the center is closed on Mondays and is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs € 4 per person and € 3 for children up to the age of 16, but there are also family tickets available for € 8.50 and student tickets for € 1.
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Top trails (61)
Wanderung zum Prebischtor durch die Edmundsklamm
#1 - Wanderung zum Prebischtor durch die Edmundsklamm
Nationalpark Sächsische Schweizmoderate
(37)
(37)Length: 11.7 mi • Est. 6 h 24 m
This route starts directly at the German-Czech border in Hrenkso (Herrnskretschen), on the Czech side of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. From a public car park, you first hike into the gorge, where you can already reach the Edmundsklamm after a few hundred meters. Here you can expect the first boat trip, which costs around € 3.50. Usually the gorge is only open until October 31st. accessible and closed out of season. After this first boat trip, this route continues along the Kamnitzbach, from which you will soon come to the "Wilde Klamm", where another boat trip is waiting. If you continue to follow the route, you will come to the small town of Mezni Louka (Rainwiese), which invites you to take a break. Then you get to the so-called goat's back, which then merges into the Gabrielsteig. From here you follow the signs to the Prebisch Gate through the core zone of the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The gate itself has a span of 26.5 m and a height of 16 m, which makes it the largest sandstone rock gate in Europe. For film fans: Some well-known scenes, such as from the film Chronicles of Narnia: The King of Narnia, were filmed on the premises around the Prebisch Gate.Show more
Falkenstein, Schrammsteine und Großer Winterberg
#2 - Falkenstein, Schrammsteine und Großer Winterberg
Nationalpark Sächsische Schweizmoderate(19)
(19)Length: 12.4 mi • Est. 6 h 39 m
This route in Saxon Switzerland offers spectacular views of the Schrammstein. The Schrammsteine are a strongly jagged rock group east of Bad Schandau. There are countless hiking trails and trails here, such as the Starke Steige, the Heilige Steige or the Robins' Trail. This area is also very popular with climbers. The picturesque gorges give this hike a very special charm.Show more
Malerweg Segment 2: City of Whelen to Hohnstein
#3 - Malerweg Segment 2: City of Whelen to Hohnstein
Nationalpark Sächsische Schweizmoderate(31)
(31)Length: 6.6 mi • Est. 3 h 48 m
This section of the Malerweg begins in the town of Whelen and leads to one of the most famous sights of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, the Bastei. From there you can enjoy the most famous view of the Saxon Switzerland National Park.
Starting in Whelen you first follow the Schwarzbergweg, from where you reach the rest area "Steinerner Tisch". You pass the tranquil town Rathen, the Amselsee and the Polenztal. Finally, you will reach the famous Bastei Bridge, which offers beautiful views of the area.Show more
Bastei, Amselsee und Hohnstein
#4 - Bastei, Amselsee und Hohnstein
Nationalpark Sächsische Schweizmoderate(7)
(7)Length: 15.1 mi • Est. 8 h 19 m
Along the painter's path steeply up from Wehlen to the bastion. There is a lovely view of the Elbe Valley and rocks. Down to the Amselsee and past the Freilichbühne. Amselsee over to the blackbird waterfalls and back up to Rathenauer mill.
After Rathewalde it goes over fields towards Hohnstein. First you have a great view over the valley to Hohnstein. There it goes first deep into the valley through the Teufelssteig and then of course again up to Hohnstein. In Hohnstein the (day) stage of the Malerweg would have been over. You can also sit in Rathen over the Elbe and from there take the S-Bahn one stop to Wehlen.Show more
Kuhstall und Lichtenhainer Wasserfall
#5 - Kuhstall und Lichtenhainer Wasserfall
Nationalpark Sächsische Schweizmoderate(9)
(9)Length: 2.8 mi • Est. 1 h 31 m
This adventurous route leads to the viewing plateau Kuhstall and the Lichtenhainer waterfall. On this hike, you pass the largest rock gate in Saxon Switzerland. We climb the stone arch over the sky ladder and have a wonderful view over the mountain landscape.Show more
Rundweg Lichtenhainer Wasserfälle, Nasser Grund, Idargrotte und Wilder Höhle
#6 - Rundweg Lichtenhainer Wasserfälle, Nasser Grund, Idargrotte und Wilder Höhle
Nationalpark Sächsische Schweizmoderate(6)
(6)Length: 7.2 mi • Est. 4 h 8 m
Start in Bad Schandau and drive with an 80 year old tram, the Kirnitzschtalbahn from Bad Schandau to Beuthenfall. There, or because of car traffic a few 100 meters earlier, go see the "spectacular" Lichtenhainer waterfall, which is the starting point for the hike. You can take a break at the cowshed however be aware that it can get quite crowded there. Then head over to new Widerstein.
From the Kustall on the Fremdenweg and then on the royal road to the Idar Grotto. There are many stairs up to the monkey stones and through the the wet ground. With a "modern" tram, you can take it back to Bad Schandau.Show more
Bastei, Basteibrücke und Schwedenlöcher Rundweg ab Rathen
#7 - Bastei, Basteibrücke und Schwedenlöcher Rundweg ab Rathen
Nationalpark Sächsische Schweizmoderate(33)
(33)Length: 3.5 mi • Est. 1 h 24 m
The starting point of this hike, the spa town of Rathen, can only be reached by a small ferry. Alternatively, you can start the hike from the Bastei car park at the end of Basteistraße. This very popular route takes you from the idyllic spa town of Rathen, which is completely car-free and lies on a pretty river, over the Bastei, to the Schwedenlöchern and back. These sandstone formations are among the best known in Saxon Switzerland. At the bastion you can visit the ruins of an old mountain town built in stone. There is also a panoramic restaurant with a wonderful view where you can relax.Show more
Malerweg Stage 5: Neumannmühle to Schmilka
#8 - Malerweg Stage 5: Neumannmühle to Schmilka
Nationalpark Sächsische Schweizmoderate(14)
(14)Length: 9.4 mi • Est. 5 h 32 m
This stage of the Malerweg is a great hike from Neumannmühle to Schmilka with great views of Goldsteinaussicht and Grosses Pohlshorn.
You can also walk it from Schmilka to Neumannmühle (or stop 200 m before at Buschmühle for a delicious fried trout "Forelle Buschmüllerin").Show more
Malerweg Stage 4: Altendorf to Neumannmühle
#9 - Malerweg Stage 4: Altendorf to Neumannmühle
Nationalpark Sächsische Schweizmoderate(10)
(10)Length: 10.9 mi • Est. 5 h 53 m
This section of the Malerweg begins in Altendorf and passes the Lichtenhain Waterfall and Kuhstall Cave on its way to Neumannmühle.Show more
Malerweg Stage 3: Hohnstein to Altendorf
#10 - Malerweg Stage 3: Hohnstein to Altendorf
Nationalpark Sächsische Schweizmoderate(18)
(18)Length: 8.8 mi • Est. 4 h 47 m
This section of the Malerweg begins in Hohnstein and provides views of the Polentzal Valley. It then travels through Waitzdorf and ends in Altendorf.Show more
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