Best backpacking 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 kilometers 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 neighboring Czech Republic, the protected area continues as the Bohemian Switzerland National Park.
Top trails
- 4.7 (221)·Hard·11.5 mi·Est. 6–7 hrThis route is the 4th stage of the Malerweg, a long-distance hiking trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This section leads from Altendorf to Neumannmühle. Highlights include the imposing Schrammsteine with the famous Schrammstein viewpoint, the Lichtenhainer Waterfall, and the massive Kuhstall rock arch, which is reached via the narrow Himmelsleiter. Overnight stays are available at inns in the Kirnitzschtal valley; camping is prohibited in the national park. Sure-footedness and a...
- 4.7 (241)·Moderate·7.3 mi·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 (210)·Moderate·8.7 mi·Est. 4.5–5 hrThis route is stage 3 of the Malerweg, a long-distance hiking trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This section leads from the castle town of Hohnstein to Altendorf. Highlights include the famous Brandaussicht viewpoint, offering sweeping views over the Polenztal valley, and the descent via 800 steps into the Tiefen Grund. The trail continues through the wild and romantic Kohlichtgraben and along the Sebnitz River to the end of the stage. Overnight stays are available at guesthouses...
- 4.4 (147)·Hard·8.7 mi·Est. 5.5–6 hrThis route is stage 5 of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This segment leads from the Neumannmühle in the Kirnitzsch Valley to the border village of Schmilka. Highlights include the Arnstein rock and the steep climb through the Wolfsschlüchte to the Großer Winterberg, the second-highest mountain in Saxon Switzerland, before descending into the organic village of Schmilka with its historic water mill. Overnight stays are available in guesthouses and...
- 4.6 (51)·Hard·10.1 mi·Est. 6–6.5 hrPanoramic route through Saxon Switzerland from Schmilka, Saxony. This circular route leads from the Schmilka ferry stop through the unique and popular Saxon Switzerland National Park. The route first follows the Elbleitenweg to the popular Schrammsteinen including a view of the Schrammstein. From there it continues picturesquely on the ridge path. Here the Breite-Kluft view and the Carolafelsen await. From there the path leads over the Reitsteig to the Großer Winterberg and the Kipphorn...
- 4.8 (2)·Hard·12.9 mi·Est. 7–7.5 hrThis loop through the back section of Saxon Switzerland National Park takes you through many of the typical landscapes of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. You’ll traverse characteristic valleys such as the Kleiner Zschand, the Richterschlüchte, and the idyllic Kirnitzschtal, climb the Großer Winterberg (the highest mountain in the national park, a basalt peak), and explore the Hickelhöhle, a joint-fissure cave and the second-largest cave in Saxon Switzerland. You’ll also pass three historic...
- 4.3 (4)·Hard·24.2 mi·Est. 11–12 hrPanoramic hike through the Saxon Switzerland National Park near Radeberg, Saxony. This tour starts in Radeberg and leads via Hohnstein to Bad Schandau. A special highlight of the route is the breathtaking Saxon Switzerland National Park. Good shoes and a head for heights are an advantage - because there are some stairs and climbing passages on this varied route. Highlights: - Beautiful views - Varied natural landscape - Local flora and fauna - Saxon Switzerland National Park
- 4.7 (301)·Moderate·6.8 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hrThis route is stage 2 of the Malerweg, a long-distance trail through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This segment leads from Stadt Wehlen across the world-famous Bastei to Hohnstein. Highlights include the iconic Bastei Bridge with expansive views, Lake Amsel, and the spectacular Wolf's Gorge (Wolfsschlucht) in the Polenz Valley before the path ends at Hohnstein Castle. Overnight stays are available in guesthouses and hotels in Stadt Wehlen or Hohnstein; camping is prohibited within the...
- 5.0 (1)·Hard·44.7 mi·Est. 24 hr+Panoramic long-distance hiking trail from Dresden to Saxon Switzerland, Saxony. The Poet-Musician-Painter-Weg is a long-distance hiking trail that mainly leads along the former historic Painter's Trail or Foreigners' Trail from Dresden to Saxon Switzerland and Bohemian Switzerland. The route is officially divided into 5 stages, which can of course be individually adjusted. The route has a lot to offer, past the famous rock formations of Saxon Switzerland, grottos, grandiose vantage points,...
![Dichter-Musiker-Maler-Weg (without Prebischtor) [CLOSED]](/mugen/image/location-app-router?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.alltrails.com%2Fapi%2Falltrails%2Fv3%2Ftrails%2F10953392%2Fprofile_photo%3Fkey%3D3p0t5s6b5g4g0e8k3c1j3w7y5c3m4t8i%26show_static_map%3Dtrue%26size%3Dlarge%26static_map_scale%3D1%26static_map_size%3D512x217&w=3840&q=75)
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 center is located in Bad Schandau. Here, permanent and temporary exhibitions as well as a large multivision show provide close-up impressions of the national park. It is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm from April to October. Between November and March, the center is closed on Mondays, Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and at weekends from 10 am to 4 pm.
The visitor center charges admission.
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the best trail to hike for backpacking in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail to hike for backpacking in Saxon Switzerland National Park is Malerweg Stage 4: Altendorf - Neumannmühle, which has a 4.7 star rating from 221 reviews. This trail is 11.5 mi long with an elevation gain of 2,440 ft.
What is the longest backpacking trail in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest backpacking trail in Saxon Switzerland National Park is Dichter-Musiker-Maler-Weg (without Prebischtor) [CLOSED]. This trail is estimated to be 44.7 mi long.
How many backpacking trails are in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
There are 9 backpacking trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park.These backpacking trails have an average 4.6-star ratingfrom NaN AllTrails community reviews.
Which backpacking trail has the most elevation gain in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
Dichter-Musiker-Maler-Weg (without Prebischtor) [CLOSED] has the most elevation gain for backpacking trails with 8,412 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Radeberg nach Bad Schandau, which has 3,454 ft of elevation gain.
Activities
- Backpacking trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Bike touring trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Birding 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
- Dog-friendly trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
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- Partially paved trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
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- Wheelchair-friendly trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park