Auf dem historischen Flößersteig an der Kirnitzsch

Moderately difficult hike. Good basic fitness required. Easily accessible paths. No special skills required. This hike begins at the Beuthenfall stop in the Kirnitzschtal valley along historic paths. If you have time, you can take the Kirnitzschtalbahn - a moving monument that has been transporting hikers since 1898. The line is 8 kilometers long and the smallest line in Saxony. After crossing the Kirnitzsch, which is one of the cleanest rivers in Saxony, follow the Flößersteig nature trail on the right (green diagonal line). The trail has numerous information boards about rafting. Due to the immense demand for timber, rafting played a major cultural role in Germany from the Middle Ages until the middle of the 20th century. Since December 2014, rafting has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage in Germany. The path is very narrow in places, exposed and difficult to walk on. However, there are places to hold on at critical points. Surefootedness is absolutely essential! With a little patience and luck, you can observe the only songbird in the Kirnitzschtal that is able to dive in running water: the brown dipper. It can be recognized by its shimmering brown plumage and striking white breast patch. In the Kirnitzsch, it hops from stone to stone, dives, runs upstream under water with its wings slightly spread and searches for small aquatic animals. At the Ostrauer Mühle mill, after the campsite, the rafting trail takes you across the Kirnitzsch and the road. It now continues on the other side of the road to Bad Schandau. In Bad Schandau, you can walk through the spa gardens and head towards the market. The tour ends at the Elbkai (bus stop) and you can take the ferry to the national park railway station. The tour is suitable for children and dogs. Starting point: Beuthenfall bus stop, Lichtenhain (Sebnitz): from Bad Schandau National Park train station, take bus 241 towards Hinterhermsdorf Erbgericht End point: Bad Schandau (S1 from Dresden)