Rathen-Kriesgrund-Bastei-Schwedenlöcher-Wehlen

• Partial closure Felsenbühne box office: Following storm damage on July 31, 2026, between Rathen and Hohnstein, the turnoff from Basteiweg to the Felsenbühne ticket office remains closed. More information: https://nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de/en/warnings/eilmeldung-waldsperrung • Partial closure Amselgrund: Amselsee and the Amselgrund section from Rathen to the Schwedenlöcher junction have been closed since July 31, 2026, due to storm damage. More information: https://nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de/en/warnings/eilmeldung-waldsperrung • Forest Closure Due to Storm Damage: Following a storm on July 31, the area is closed for cleanup efforts and due to the danger posed by fallen trees. For more information: https://nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de/warnungen/eilmeldung-waldsperrung This hike leads through the heart of the Saxon Switzerland National Park and connects the spa town of Rathen with the historic town of Wehlen. The trail leads up to the famous Bastei Bridge, a sandstone bridge built in 1851, which offers spectacular views of the Elbe valley and the table mountains such as the Lilienstein. A special experience is the descent through the Schwedenlöcher, a gorge-like ravine with over 700 steps, which served as a refuge for farmers from Swedish soldiers during the Thirty Years' War. Rare mosses and ferns grow in the cool, damp grounds, while with a bit of luck you may spot peregrine falcons or eagle owls in the rock faces. Sturdy footwear is an advantage for the many steps and the sometimes uneven paths in the Kriesgrund. The tour invites you to enjoy the bizarre rock formations and the tranquil atmosphere at Amselsee.