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 Dresden/Pirna
On the arrival day of your short hiking tour along the Malerweg, we recommend a walk through Dresden, with its many alleys and numerous sights.

Day 2: Dresden/Pirna-Liebethal – Wehlen/Rathen (approx. 12/17 km, walking time: approx. 4/5.5 hrs, + 310/390 m, - 330/425 m)
In the morning you take the S-Bahn and bus to Pirna-Liebethal (duration approx. 1h). From here you start your first hike: The Liebethaler Grund is also called the gateway to Saxon Switzerland and is therefore the ideal starting point for your short hiking tour along the Malerweg. The pretty resort town of Stadt Wehlen awaits you at the end of today's hike.

Day 3: Wehlen/Rathen – Hohnstein (approx. 13/8 km, walking time: approx. 5/3.5 hrs, + 480/255 m, - 400/175 m) Right at the beginning of your second hike you will experience a special highlight of Saxon Switzerland: the Bastei Bridge. It forms the connection between the Bastei and the rock castle of Neurathen. From here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Saxon Switzerland. After descending into the Amselgrund, where you can take a short boat trip, you reach the Hockstein, from where there are exciting views of the lower Polenztal valley. Through the Wolfschlucht gorge, past the Polenztal valley and the Schindergraben ditch, you reach Hohnstein, your destination for today's stage.

Day 4: Hohnstein – Altendorf/Kirnitzschtal (approx. 15 km, walking time: approx. 6 hrs, + 600 m, - 520 m)
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. Via Waitzdorf and Altendorf you hike to the end of the stage in the Kirnitzschtal. Here you can take the bus/the Kirnitzschtalbahn (extra cost) to your hotel in Bad Schandau or walk the further 3 km.

Day 5: Kirnitzschtal – Schrammsteine – Neumannmühle (approx. 17 km, walking time: 6.5 hrs, + 700 m, - 755 m)

Take the bus/the Kirnitzschtalbahn to the Ostrau Mühle, the start of your last stage on the Malerweg. You hike directly uphill to the Schrammsteinaussicht and along the ridge path through the Schrammstein massif. Passing the Great and Small Cathedral, you reach the Affenstein Trail, which leads you to the Lichtenhain Waterfall. After the Kuhstall, you reach the technical monument Neumannmühle. Your short hiking tour already ends at the Neumannmühle, because from here you take the public bus 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

• 5 x overnight stay in hotels and guesthouses with 3-star standard
• 5 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 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 in Dresden or Bad Schandau
• 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 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.