Circular walking tour in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains

Detailed tour description

Please note that the routes indicated in the itinerary are the hiking stages only. The places of accommodation may differ from the starting and finishing points of the hikes.

Day 1: Individual arrival at Bad Schandau
In Bad Schandau, take a stroll around the town’s medieval centre or along the Elbe river. Pay a visit to the protestant Church of St. John with its octagonal western tower standing in its original form since 1679.

Day 2: Bad Schandau – Brand – Fortress Hohnstein – Rathen (approx. 17 km, walking time: approx. 6 hrs)
The first walking tour starts with an ascent to a fine panoramic view. Later on you will take around 800 stairs to reach the Brand – the "Balcony of the Saxon Switzerland National Park". Enjoy the breathtaking view over the Elbe River Valley and the Sandstone Mountains before you continue your hike to the impressive Hohnstein Castle, followed by an ascent through the Wolfsschlucht gorge to the Hockstein. The last part of today’s hiking tour takes you through idyllic ravines and forests, past wonderful Amsel Lake to the spa town Rathen.

Day 3: Rathen – Wehlen – Königstein (approx. 14 km, walking time: approx. 5 – 6 hrs)
You will start the tour with an ascent to the famous Bastei Rocks with its bridge. At the peak – approximately 300 metres above sea level – you will have wonderful views over the Elbe River Valley. Continue your tour through the Höllengrund and Wehlener Grund to the picturesque town Wehlen. Here you will cross the Elbe river by ferry and soon reach the rock formation Rauenstein. Via staircases and ladders you will climb to the top of the rock offering stunning views including the Bastei Rocks. Today’s destination will be Königstein with its famous fortress which is the largest in Europe.

Day 4: Königstein – Pfaffenstein – Gohrisch (approx. 11 km, walking time: approx. 4.5 hrs)
From Königstein, you will walk on pleasant forest paths to the Paffenstein with the famous rock pinnacle Barbarine. This over 42 meter high rock is the best known freestanding rock in the German part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and is one of the landmarks of Saxon Switzerland National Park. At the top of the Pfaffenstein explore the various outlook points with imposing views in different directions. Later you will reach the spa town Gohrisch via the Musel path (Muselweg).

Day 5: Gohrisch – Papststein – Krippen (approx. 10 km, walking time: approx. 4.5 hrs)
On your fourth day of walking you will continue to explore the so called ‘Empire of Stones’ by climbing the Gohrisch (448 metres) and then the Papststein (451 metres). From both rock formations you will have wonderful views over the Saxon Switzerland National Park. Passing the adventurous Kleinhennersdorfer Höhlen (caves) and through the Liethen Valley, you will arrive in Krippen – today’s destination.

Day 6: Hrensko – Rock Arch – Hrensko (approx. 15 km, walking time: approx 5 hrs)
For your today’s walking tour you will need your passports or ID card because it will take place in the Bohemian Switzerland in the Czech Republic. By train (S-Bahn) you will get from Krippen to Hřensko from where the hiking path will lead you to Europe's largest natural rock arch – the Pravčická brána. We recommend you to take time to explore the impressive attractions. Afterwards, your walking tour will lead you into the wild valley of the river Kamenice. Enjoy the gentle boat ride through the Edmund’s Gorge (extra costs) along the narrow river past steep rock walls and imaginative rock formations to Hřensko. Then take the train (S-Bahn) back to Krippen.

Day 7: Krippen – Schrammsteine – Lichtenhain waterfall – Bad Schandau (approx. 13 km, walking time: approx. 6 hrs)
By ferry across the Elbe (extra costs) you will reach the starting point of the last hiking tour. After a gentle walk on forest paths you will have an arduous ascent via steel ladders and staircases to the Schrammstein rocks and ridge. But it is worth the effort because a breathtaking view over the entire Elbe Sandstone Mountains will unfold itself from the top. Continuing the path via the Malerweg Trail (Painter’s Path) you will reach the Lichtenhain waterfall. From here you take the bus or the famous Kirnitzschtalbahn (historical tram – ticket not included) back to Bad Schandau.

Day 8: Individual departure
With lots of wonderful memories you will start your journey back home. You are welcome to prolong your holidays with additional nights in the region or Dresden. We will gladly arrange the accommodations for you.

This walking trip is not recommendable for travellers with mobility impairments.

Services included

• Welcome surprise
• 7 x overnight stay in hotels and guesthouses with 3-star-standard
• 7 x continental breakfast
• Train ticket for the sixth and seventh hiking day
• Luggage transfer from accommodation to accommodation during your walking tours
• GPS data on request
• 1 package with maps and information material per room (in English language)
• 24-hours-service-hotline during your walking holidays
• CoronaPLUS: Your chance to rebook or cancel free of charge until 42 days prior to the arrival date without indication of reasons. This service is included in all bookings until 28^th February 2021 for free.

Bookable value-added services for these walking holidays

Please feel free to add the following value-added services to the basic travel package to personalize your circular tour: 

• Additional nights at every overnight location according to the tour description
• CoronaPLUS: Bookings from 1^st March 2021 onward can select this service to be added at the cost of 3% on the basic tour price. Your chance to rebook or cancel free of charge until 42 days prior to the arrival date without indication of reasons.

Prices of these value-added services are detailed under the tab "Quotes".

Further advice on this walking tour in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains

Please note that in certain cities in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains compulsory city, tourist or occupancy taxes are required to be paid. Unless otherwise indicated, these taxes are not included in our prices and have to be paid directly to the hotel.

This walking trip is not recommendable for travellers with mobility impairments.