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
After your arrival in Bad Schandau, either by car or train, you can take a short tour of the town. The massive, Protestant St. John's 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. John's Church forms the town silhouette of Bad Schandau.

Day 2: Bad Schandau – Brand – Fortress Hohnstein – Rathen (approx. 19 km, walking time: approx. 5.5 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. 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 – Fortress Königstein – Königstein (approx. 17.5 km, walking time: approx. 5 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 (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 Königstein with its famous fortress which is the largest in Europe.

Day 4: Königstein – Pfaffenstein – Gohrisch (approx. 8 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. 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.

Day 5: Gohrisch – Papststein – Bad Schandau/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. 17 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. Soon you will reach the boat station of the Edmundsklamm gorge and continue your way by water (extra costs, not included in the price). Enjoy the gentle boat ride along the narrow course of the river past imaginative rock formations. Back in Hřensko, walk to the Elbe and then take the S-Bahn back to Krippen.

Day 7: Bad Schandau/Krippen – Schrammsteine – Lichtenhain waterfall – Bad Schandau (approx. 14 km, walking time: approx. 6 hrs)
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.

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

• 7 x overnight stay in hotels with 3-star-standard and guesthouses
• 7 x continental breakfast
• 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)
• telephone-service-hotline during your walking holidays

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 in Bad Schandau or Dresden (bookable before or after the trip)
• Trip to Lilienstein on Day 5 from/to Gohrisch (additional night)
• FlexPLUS: rebook or cancel up to 28 days before arrival without giving reasons (more about our FlexPLUS)

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.