Hikes in Saxon Switzerland

Saxon Switzerland is a small mountain range that has a lot to offer. Anyone who has been here once will come back again and again, attracted by the unique atmosphere. Many stations and vantage points can be linked together on hiking tours.

Tip: If you have several days to spare, you should definitely hike the Malerweg, which integrates many high points, for example the Bastei and the Schrammsteine. The Malerweg takes you on 8 stages through the beautiful landscape of the Sächsische Schweiz National Park. Depending on the stage, you will need to be in good shape and have a good technique, as some of the routes involve many metres of ascent.

A particularly nice place to start is from Wehlen. You hike through the forest to the Bastei and then on to the spa town of Rathen. Both places are idyllic and perfect starting and ending points for a beautiful tour. You can return to Wehlen quite comfortably by ferry!

The ascent to the Schrammstein lookout requires athletic fitness, good technique and stamina, because after the hike through the forest, narrow metal ladders, ravines and steps carved into the stone await you. In return, you will be rewarded with a breathtaking view at the end of your hike. At an altitude of 400 metres, you can see the rocks of Hohe Liebe, the Affensteine and the Bloßstock. The way back down is also not easy, because there is not much room for oncoming traffic between the rock formations.

A shorter, but still technically demanding version of the Schrammstein tour leads over the likewise worth seeing Carola rock – the view from up there is phenomenal.

Very important: The hike to the Schrammsteinaussicht is not for people with a fear of heights. Families with children should also choose an easier route, such as the walk to the Hercules Columns in Rosenthal Bielatal. The large and small Hercules Pillars can be reached from the car park within 15 minutes. Both rock towers are among the landmarks of the Upper Biela Valley, which regularly attract climbers.

The Kuhstall is enormous, 11 metres high, 17 metres wide and 24 metres deep. The gate inside the rock formation served as a shelter for cattle hidden from the Swedish soldiers during wartime.

Directly behind the rock breakthrough and a viewing platform that offers a view over the rock teeth, the Himmelsleiter emerges. A steep staircase leads up through the middle of the rocks to the remains of a castle and a spectacular vantage point.

Trips to the Polenztal and through the Bielatal are also very popular, as is the Caspar David Friedrich Trail.

In addition, you can hike across the border to Bohemia (Czech Republic) and experience the culture and hospitality of the people there. An absolute highlight when hiking through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains: the Prebisch Gate!

Several hikes such as the walk through the Weißbachtal valley or up the Zirkelstein lead directly along the border and give you a first impression of it.