-
Die Basteibrücke Rathen -
Karte zur Wanderreise am Malerweg Teil 1 © AugustusTours -
Ausblick in die Sächsische Schweiz © Robert Michalk Photography -
Auf dem Malerweg im Liebethaler Grund -
Brand-Aussicht: "Balkon der Sächsischen Schweiz" © Steffen Unger, Brand-Baude -
Wandergruppe in der Sächsischen Schweiz © Robert Michalk Photography -
Schrammsteine im Morgennebel © Uwe Kögler -
Ausschilderung in der Sächsischen Schweiz © Robert Michalk Photography
Short hiking tour along the Malerweg trail part 1
From Bastei bridge to Kirnitzschtal valley: a picturesque short hiking tour in Saxon Switzerland
The Elbe Sandstone Mountains Malerweg trail, marked with a significant "M", is 112 km long and follows the tracks of romantic artists. It allows you to discover diverse hiking tracks along bizarre rock formations of Saxon Switzerland.
Taking part in this short hiking tour, you explore the first part of the Malerweg trail between Pirna and Bad Schandau, which is located on the right side of the Elbe. You may continue your tour and hike the second part of the Malerweg trail with us at a later time – we look forward to seeing you!
Duration | 6 days/ 5 nights |
Travel period | 01.04.2026 - 31.10.2026 Anreise: Daily |
Bookable from | 1 person(s) |
Total length of tour | 60 km |
Characteristics |
Phone +49 (0)351 - 563 48 20
Email: aktiv@augustustours.de
Itinerary
-
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
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.
Overnight stay in Dresden
Bookable ExperiencePACKAGE:
Make it cultural!
ArtPLUS: Artists in Dresden -
Day 2: Dresden – Wehlen/Rathen (approx. 12/16 km, walking time: approx. 4/5,5 hrs, + 113/304 m, - 146/314 m)
In the morning, you will take the S-bahn train and bus to Pirna-Liebethal, the starting point of your first hiking tour along the Malerweg. During your first hiking stage you will walk through three wild and romantic ravines. Experience one of the special features of the natural landscape in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains: favoured by the microclimate, you will encounter a lush and varied flora in the deep gorges along the Malerweg Trail. The pretty resort town of Stadt Wehlen awaits you at the end of todays hike.
Overnight stay in Wehlen or Rathen -
Day 3: Wehlen/Rathen – Hohnstein (approx. 11/7 km, walking time: approx. 4/2.5 hrs, + 428/237 m, - 278/110 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 todays stage.
Overnight stay in Hohnstein -
Day 4: Hohnstein – Altendorf/Kirnitzschtal (approx. 15 km, walking time: approx. 6 hrs, + 390 m, - 430 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.
Overnight stay in Altendorf, Kirnitzschtal valley or Bad Schandau -
Day 5: Kirnitzschtal – Schrammsteine – Neumannmühle (approx. 18,5 km, walking time: 6.5 hrs, + 440 m, - 410 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.
Overnight stay in Bad Schandau
Bookable ExperiencePACKAGE:
Make it even more beautiful!
Hike to the Prebischtor in Bohemian Switzerland or
Hike along the Caspar David Friedrich Trail -
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!
Experience PACKAGES
Put the crown on your holiday!
Make it cultural!
Visit the Albertinum in Dresden with the New Masters Gallery (open daily except Mondays) and marvel at the works of Caspar David Friedrich's and many other romantic artists. You will receive a ticket for the permanent exhibition and stay overnight in Dresden. Please let us know the desired date in the booking notes.
Services:
- Overnight stay incl. breakfast in Dresden
- Luggage transport
- Public transport ticket
- Ticket for the Albertinum (permanent exhibition or special exhibition)
Price: from 125 € p.p. in a double room
Make it even more beautiful!
Immerse yourself in the world of the famous Romantic artist Caspar David Friedrich, who celebrates his 250th birthday in 2024. The circular tour first takes you along the Elbe. The highlight is the ascent to the Kaiserkrone: enjoy the wonderful panoramic view of the Schrammstein mountain chain and Bohemian Switzerland (approx. 15 km, walking time: approx. 4.5 h, +320 m, -325 m).
Services:
- overnight stay incl. breakfast in Bad Schandau/Krippen
Price: from 82 € p.p. in a double room
Make it even more beautiful!
Europe's largest rock gate awaits your visit! Public transport will take you to the start and end point of the hike to Hrensko in Bohemian Switzerland (approx. 14 km, walking time: approx. 4.5 h, +410 m, -275 m).
Services:
- Overnight stay incl. breakfast in Bad Schandau/Krippen
Price: from 85 € p.p. in a double room
Services included
- 5 x overnight stay in hotels and guesthouses with 3-star standard
- 5 x continental breakfast
- TOUR OF THE YEAR 2026 BONUS: 1 x dinner as 2-course menu or buffet for free
- Luggage transfer from accommodation to accommodation (9am - 5pm, up to 2 pieces of luggage per person, maximum 20 kg each)
- GPS data as maps
- 1 package with personal itinerary and general information per room (in English language)
- Telephone-service-hotline during your hiking holidays
Additional services
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 and Bad Schandau
- FlexPLUS: rebook or cancel up to 28 days before arrival without giving reasons (more about our FlexPLUS)
Travel documents
Less paper, more savings!
This tour, you can do without printed travel documents – you will receive all information digitally (PDF route booklet and GPS data). As a thank you, we offer you a discount of 20 € per room. Simple, practical and consciously sustainable! Please select this option when booking. The request applies to all rooms in the booking and cannot be selected differently for each room.
Accommodation categories
Further information
Local taxes such as visitor's tax or city tax, parking, pets, lunch packages and ferries are not included in the tour price unless otherwise stated and must be paid locally.
This tour is not recommendable for travellers with mobility impairments.
Arrival & Departure
Arrival by train:
Dresden is easily accessible by train from all major cities in Germany.
From Dresden's main train station or Neustadt train station, you then have the option of using public transportation to get to your hotel.
Current timetable information and price information can be found at unter www.bahn.de or at www.dvb.de.
Arrival by car and parking facilities:
Dresden is connected to the main supra-regional traffic network via three freeways. Depending on the hotel, there are direct parking facilities or often nearby. Please understand that there are limited parking facilities at the hotel, especially in the city centers.
Check directly with your starting hotel to see if they offer parking. At Auf www.parkopedia.de you will find a good overview of other parking options and we will be happy to inform you individually.
TIP: Please click on + to display the prices!
- Prices for services includedPrice validity: 01.04.2026 to 10.05.2026incl. luggage transferDblSglPrice validity: 11.05.2026 to 26.09.2026595.00 € per person825.00 € per personPrice validity: 27.09.2026 to 31.10.2026629.00 € per person859.00 € per person595.00 € per person825.00 € per person
- Prices for additional nightsDblSglDresden80.00 €119.00 €Bad Schandau90.00 €122.00 €
- Experience packages & additional servicesPriceExperience package: Excursion to the Prebischtor (rock gate) (Overnight stay in Krippen)85.00 € (DZ), 125.00 € (EZ)
per personExperience package: Excursion Caspar David Friedrich Trail (overnight stay in Krippen)85.00 € (DZ), 125.00 € (EZ)
per personExperience package: additional night in Dresden (without luggage transport) at the end of tour80.00 € (DZ), 119.00 € (EZ)
per personExperience package: Art PLUS Romantic in Dresden (Overnight stay in Dresden)125.00 € (DZ), 160.00 € (EZ)
per personFlexPLUS
rebook or cancel up to 28 days before arrival, only available for AugustusTours-Original-Tours39.00 € (DZ), 39.00 € (EZ)
per personDiscount on digital travel documents-20.00 € (DZ), -20.00 € (EZ)
per room