Stiegentour um Schmilka

Moderately difficult hike. Good basic fitness required. Predominantly easy paths. Sure-footedness required. Renovated half-timbered houses characterize Schmilka, the last village before the Czech border with less than 100 inhabitants. This staircase tour begins here. The route leads uphill through the village, past the historic mill, into the forest and up the root path (yellow line markings). At a large crossroads at the Zwieselhütte hut, take the 2nd path on the right, marked with a green dot. After approx. 300 meters, turn left onto the Lehnsteig. Wooden planks to protect the ground from erosion and many steps now lead towards the rocky world. The ascent is steep in places. Once you reach the top, you walk along the reef for a while. Later, the route meets the bridle path. Continue to the left here (blue line). Some beautiful views in between invite you to linger. At a large fork in the path, the trail turns left, goes downhill for a while and soon branches off to the left again (yellow line) to Heiligen Stiege. This is probably one of the most famous climbs in Saxon Switzerland. It leads breathtakingly steep and seemingly endless from the rugged and weathered rocks down into the Heringsgrund and the Schmilkaer Kessel. The route follows the Holy Staircase steeply down into the valley and keeps to the yellow line markings. You return to Schmilka through the Heringsgrund and along the Wurzelweg. The tour is suitable for children, but not for dogs due to the numerous steps. How to get there: take the S-Bahn to the Hirschmühle, Schmilka stop. Ferry ride to Schmilka or parking lot in Schmilka at the ferry dock (for a fee)