Short hiking tour along the Malerweg trail Part 1

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 Pirna
You travel individually to the city of Pirna, which is known as the "gate to Saxon Switzerland". Pirna is located not to far from the Saxon capitol Dresden and can be reached by public transportation easily. We recommend you take a walking tour through the medieval alleys of Pirna and see the numerous artfully decorated town houses. 

Day 2: Pirna-Liebethal – City of Wehlen/Spa resort Rathen (approx. 12/17 km, walking time: approx. 4 – 5,5 hrs)
In the morning, you take the bus to your point of departure of your first hiking tour right on Malerweg trail. Today, you will hike through three wild and romantic grounds. Thereby, you experience the regional feature of the natural landscape Saxon Switzerland has to offer: Due to microclimatic conditions, you face an abundant and opulent flora in the deep canyons of this spectacular mountain range. Today’s final destination is the city of Wehlen (or alternatively the spa resort Rathen), both peaceful little towns right by the Elbe River.

Day 3: Wehlen/Rathen – Hohnstein (approx. 13/8 km, walking time: approx. 3,5 – 5 hrs)
Not far from Wehlen, you have a picturesque view over the Elbe Sandstone Mountains from probably the most famous observation deck – the Bastei Bridge. Best thing to do is to start your hike on Malerweg trail early in the morning in order to enjoy this stunning view fairly undisturbed. You descend down into Amselground and head for the second highlight of your hiking tour – the Hockstein Rock. From there, you have the perfect view onto today’s accommodation town – the city of Hohenstein. The Malerweg trail leads you along Wolf Canyon, Polenztal valley and Schindergraben right to your final destination for that day.

Day 4: Hohnstein – Altendorf/ Kirnitzschtal (approx. 15 km, walking time: approx. 6 hrs)
The phenomenal panoramic view at Brand viewpoint – also known as balcony of Saxon Switzerland – is the highlight of today’s hike on Malerweg trail. After taking a break and enjoying the view, you continue your way down into Kirnitzschtal valley walking down 800 steps. Passing Waitzdorf you will reach Altendorf or continue along the Panorama trail to the Kirnitzschtal valley.

Day 5: Altendorf/ Kirnitzschtal – Schrammsteine – Neumannmühle (approx. 17 km, walking time: 6.5 hrs)
Walking on Gratweg trail through Schrammstein massif, you hike directly uphill to Schrammstein viewpoint. Passing Big and Small Dome (wild romantic valley end), you reach Affensteinweg trail which leads you directly to Lichtenhain Waterfall. After visiting the natural arch Kuhstall with its Himmelsleiter you walk back down into Kirnitzschtal valley in order to reach the final destination Neumannmühle. Your short hiking tour already ends at Neumannmühle as you will take the public bus going to Bad Schandau.

Day 6: Individual departure
After an unforgettable hiking holiday at the Malerweg you start your return journey today. Or you can extend your short hiking tour with an additional night in Saxon Switzerland. However, you can also extend your short walking tour in the baroque city of Dresden and enjoy some of the cultural delicacies the capitol of Saxony has to offer. With pleasure, we will book additional overnight stays in Dresden, Pirna or other towns along the first part of Malerweg trail for you – simply let us know!

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

Services included

• Welcome surprise
• 5 x overnight stay in hotels and guesthouses with 3-star standard
• 5 x continental breakfast
• Train tickets for the second and fifth day of walking
• 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 along Malerweg trail

Please feel free to add the following value-added services to the basic travel package to personalize your short hiking tour along the Elbe Sandstone Mountains Malerweg trail: 

• Additional nights at every overnight location according to the tour description or in Dresden
• 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 the hiking tours along the Malerweg trail

Please note that in certain cities along the Elbe Sanstone Mountains Malerweg trail compulsory city, tourist or occupancy taxes may be required to be paid. Unless otherwise indicated, the 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.