Best lake 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
- 4.6 (43)·Moderate·8.6 mi·Est. 5–5.5 hrFabulous circular hike in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Saxony. This fantastic excursion can begin at the Lichtenhain Waterfall car park, which is subject to a fee. You can also take an 80-year-old tram, the Kirnitzschtalbahn, from Bad Schandau to Beuthenfall. There the spectacular Lichtenhain waterfall can be visited. Continue to the popular "Kuhstall" where you can take a break - but be aware that it can get very crowded. Then it goes on to the Neuen Widerstein and via the...
- 4.7 (39)·Moderate·3.7 mi·Est. 2.5–3 hrPanoramic hike to the Lilienstein in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Saxony. The hike can be started either from the car park or from Königstein train station. From there, the ferry takes you to Halbestadt (note prices and timetable). Following the blue line marking in the direction of Lilienstein, it goes over level ground to the plateau of the table mountain via the south ascent. The summit plateau offers a magnificent panorama of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. You pass the Westecke...
- 5.0 (33)·Hard·14.1 mi·Est. 7–8 hrVersatile hike from Bad Schandau, Saxony. The hike can be started in Bad Schandau either from the paid car park or from the bus stop. From there it goes steadily uphill to some of the famous rock formations of Saxon Switzerland - the Schrammsteinen including the magnificent Schrammstein view. It continues over two great stairs on which a few steps and ladders have to be climbed - the zurückesteig and the Reitsteig. The route leads in the direction of the Großer Winterberg. From the...
- 4.8 (23)·Moderate·7.1 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hrThis spectacular and adventurous loop leads through the heart of Saxon Switzerland, connecting some of the most dramatic gorge landscapes of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The trail explores the area between the idyllic village of Rathewalde and the famous Bastei region, following a challenging mixture of narrow rock paths, hundreds of steps in the Schwedenlöcher, and cool, moss-covered valley floors. A central highlight is the traverse of the "Schwedenlöcher," a gorge-like rock alley...
- 4.5 (26)·Hard·11 mi·Est. 6–7 hrVaried and challenging circular trail around Königstein, Saxony. This beautiful circular hike leads from the fortress town of Königstein along an idyllic path through the forest to the spa town of Rathen and then up to the striking table mountain, the Lilienstein. Here you can enjoy a fantastic view over large parts of Saxon Switzerland. At the very end of the tour, you take the F6 ferry across the Elbe, for which a ticket must be purchased. The starting point is easily accessible by train...
- 4.6 (14)·Moderate·6.3 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hrModerately difficult hike. Good basic fitness required. Predominantly easy paths. Sure-footedness required. From the Neumannmühle you hike along a wide forest road (yellow line) into the Großer Zschand. This dry valley, initially with a cool, damp cellar climate, leads into the heart of the Saxon Switzerland National Park. Later you reach the historic Zeughaus - now an inn. In the days of Elector Augustus of Saxony (1526-1586), it was a base for hunting around the Großer Winterberg. It...
- 4.0 (15)·Moderate·8.5 mi·Est. 4–4.5 hrNatural loop trail in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Saxony. A hiking experience close to nature, almost wild in some places, awaits you on this route in the German-Czech border area. You follow the Kirnitzsch for several kilometers, which makes its way towards the Elbe through gorges dug deep into the sandstone. A real highlight is the boat trip in the footsteps of the timber rafters from the Lower Lock to the Upper Lock. Sturdy shoes and sure-footedness, especially in wet weather...
- 4.6 (9)·Moderate·6.6 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hrFrom the parking lot in Lichtenhain on the main road, you first go through the village to follow the green dot trail markers at the end of the village. Follow the green point until the marking changes to yellow. Now continue the yellow line to the Kirnitschtal or to the cowshed. From the cowshed you walk the red point to the Lichtenhain waterfall. In the further course of the red point you come to the bag fall. After horrified looks at the ruins at the bag fall, you go back to follow the...
- 4.7 (9)·Moderate·19.9 mi·Est. 8–9 hrCharming bike ride from Schmlka in Saxon Switzerland, Saxony. This is a beautiful bike ride that can be started in Schmilka. First you cycle along the Elbe on a well-developed bike path to Bad Schandau. There the route turns in the direction of Ostrauer Mühle and on to the Lichtenhainer waterfall and finally Lichtenhain. The route to get there leads mostly through shady forest. From Lichtenhain it goes via Mitteldorf, Altendorf and Wustmanndörfel back to Bad Schandau and back to the Elbe to...
- 4.0 (10)·Moderate·8.1 miPopular circular route in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Saxony. This circular route starts and ends at the paid parking lot of the Lichtenhainer waterfall. Via the Flößersteig it goes through the Knechtsbachtal and finally uphill via the Ottendorfer Steig. It continues up and down past the Felsenmühle restaurant to the “Kuhstall”. This is a huge rock gate at the foot of the ladder to heaven. The ladder to heaven leads over narrow steps through a narrow crevice steeply uphill to the...
Showing results 1–10 of 56
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.
Parks
Headed to a park?
Take AllTrails with you
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best lake trail to hike in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
According to users from AllTrails.com, the best lake trail to hike in Saxon Switzerland National Park is Kuhstall - Himmelsleiter - Affensteine, which has a 4.6 star rating from 43 reviews. This trail is 8.6 mi long with an elevation gain of 2,342 ft.
What is the longest lake trail in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest lake trail in Saxon Switzerland National Park is Perlen der Sächsischen Schweiz 2021 (50 km) [CLOSED]. This trail is estimated to be 30.8 mi long.
How many lake trails are in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
There are 56 lake trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park.These lake trails have an average 4.5-star ratingfrom NaN AllTrails community reviews.
Which lake trail has the most elevation gain in Saxon Switzerland National Park?
From Bad Schandau to Hinterhermsdorf has the most elevation gain for lake trails with 5,889 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is City of Wehlen - Koenigstein - Hohnstein [CLOSED], which has 5,823 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
- Kid-friendly trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Partially paved trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Stroller-friendly trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Trails for leashed dogs in Saxon Switzerland National Park
- Wheelchair-friendly trails in Saxon Switzerland National Park