Circular walking tour in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains

Itinerary

• Day 1: Individual arrival at Bad Schandau
  After your arrival in Bad Schandau, either by car or train, you can take a short tour of the town. The massive, Protestant St. Johns Church with its octagonal west tower has existed in its present form since 1679 and stands directly on the market square. Together with the numerous hotels bordering the Elbe and the two Elbe bridges, St. Johns Church forms the town silhouette of Bad Schandau.
  Overnight stay in Bad Schandau
  
  Bookable ExperiencePACKAGE:
  Make it cultural!
  ArtPLUS: Artists in Dresden
• Day 2: Bad Schandau – Brand – Fortress Hohnstein – Rathen (approx. 18 km, walking time: approx. 5.5 hrs, + 680 m, - 680 m)
  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. The last part of today’s hiking tour takes you through idyllic ravines and forests, past wonderful Amsel Lake to the spa town Rathen.
  Overnight stay in Rathen
• Day 3: Circular walking tour Rathen – Bastei – Rauenstein – Rathen (approx. 11 km, walking time: approx. 4 hrs, + 470 m, - 480 m)
  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 (additional costs) and soon reach the rock formation Rauenstein. On the top of the rock offering stunning views including the Bastei Rocks. Today’s destination will be Rathen.
  Overnight stay in Rathen
• Day 4: Rathen – Pfaffenstein – Gohrisch (approx. 17 km, walking time: approx. 5.5 hrs, + 700 m, - 540 m)
  Having spent the night in Rathen you ascend via Weißig to the famous fortress Königstein. After passing the village 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. Afterwards, the hiking tour takes you further up the Pfaffenstein trail to the summit of the Pfaffenstein with its impressive view of the Lilienstein. Continue along the Muselweg trail to the spa town of Gohrisch.
  Overnight stay in Gohrisch
• Day 5: Circular walking tour to Lilienstein from/to Gohrisch (approx. 11 km, walking time: approx. 4 hrs, + 480 m, - 480 m)
  Todays breathtaking hike takes you from Gohrisch to the Lilienstein, the landmark of Saxon Switzerland. The striking sandstone mountain rises majestically above the surrounding area and offers an impressive view of the Elbe and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Take your time to enjoy the view at length. Afterwards, continue your round tour today and hike back to the spa town of Gohrisch.
  Overnight stay in Gohrisch
• Day 6: Gohrisch – Papststein – Bad Schandau/Krippen (approx. 10 km, walking time: approx. 4 hrs, + 290 m, - 450 m)
  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.
  Overnight stay in Bad Schandau or Krippen
  
  Bookable ExperiencePACKAGE:
  Make it even more beautiful!
  Hike to the Prebischtor in Bohemian Switzerland or
  Hike along the Caspar David Friedrich Trail
• Day 7: Bad Schandau/Krippen – Schrammsteine – Lichtenhain waterfall – Bad Schandau (approx. 14 km, walking time: approx. 4,5 hrs, + 530 m, - 460 m)
  By ferry across the Elbe 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. You then follow the forest path along the Affensteig and reach the Lichtenhainer waterfall. From here you take the bus or the famous Kirnitzschtalbahn (historical tram – ticket not included) back to Bad Schandau.
  Overnight stay in 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 (online booking via Experience package). We will gladly arrange the accommodations for you. 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.