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Die Basteibrücke Rathen
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Karte zur Wanderreise am Malerweg Teil 1 © AugustusTours
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Ausblick in die Sächsische Schweiz © Robert Michalk Photography
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Auf dem Malerweg im Liebethaler Grund
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Brand-Aussicht: "Balkon der Sächsischen Schweiz" © Steffen Unger, Brand-Baude
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Wandergruppe in der Sächsischen Schweiz © Robert Michalk Photography
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Schrammsteine im Morgennebel © Uwe Kögler
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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 | 01.04.2025 - 31.10.2025 Anreise: Daily |
Bookable from | 1 person(s) |
Total length of tour | 60 km |
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Phone +49 (0)351 - 563 48 20
Email: aktiv@augustustours.de
Itinerary
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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.
Overnight stay in Dresden or Pirna
Bookable ExperiencePACKAGE:
Make it cultural!
ArtPLUS: Artists in Dresden -
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 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, + 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 todays stage.
Overnight stay in Hohnstein -
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.
Overnight stay in Altendorf, Kirnitzschtal valley or Bad Schandau -
Day 5: Kirnitzschtal – Schrammsteine – Neumannmühle (approx. 18,5 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.
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!
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Hike to the Prebischtor in Bohemian Switzerland
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, +545 m, -380 m).
Services:
- Overnight stay incl. breakfast in Bad Schandau/Krippen
Price: from 82 € p.p. in a double room
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ArtPLUS: Romantic in Dresden
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 120 € p.p. in a double room
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Hike along the Caspar David Friedrich Trail
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, +395 m, -395 m).
Services:
- overnight stay incl. breakfast in Bad Schandau/Krippen
Price: from 82 € p.p. in a double room
Services included
- 5 x overnight stay in hotels and guesthouses with 3-star standard
- 5 x continental breakfast
- 1 x dinner as 2-course menu or buffet
- Luggage transfer from accommodation to accommodation (9am - 5pm, up to 2 pieces of luggage per person, maximum 20 kg each)
- GPS data
- 1 package with maps and information material 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 Pirna or Dresden and Bad Schandau
- FlexPLUS: rebook or cancel up to 28 days before arrival without giving reasons (more about our FlexPLUS)
Accommodation categories
Further information
Please note that in some cities accommodation taxes, visitor's taxes, etc. apply. Unless otherwise stated, these are not included in the tour price and must be paid locally.
This tour is not recommendable for travellers with mobility impairments.
Arrival & Departure
How to get to the tour
Arrival by train:
From Dresden main station, the S1 and S2 suburban trains in the direction of Schöna run regularly every half hour between 04:30 and 01:00, sometimes even every 10 minutes to Pirna.
Coming from the direction of Stolpen, Neustadt i.Sa. and Sebnitz, the regional train RB 71 brings travelers to the city.
From the train station you can reach your hotel on foot in no time or we recommend taking a cab (depending on the location of your hotel).
Current timetable information and prices can be found at www.bahn.de.
Arrival by car and parking facilities:
Pirna is only 25 km from the state capital Dresden and easily accessible by car via the A17 and then on the federal highway.
On www.parkopedia.de you will find a good overview of public parking lots and parking garages.
- Prices for services includedPrice validity: 01.04.2025 to 11.05.2025incl. luggage transferDblSglPrice validity: 12.05.2025 to 04.10.2025569.00 € per person769.00 € per personPrice validity: 05.10.2025 to 31.10.2025599.00 € per person799.00 € per person569.00 € per person769.00 € per person
- Prices for additional nightsDblSglDresden80.00 €117.00 €Pirna90.00 €122.00 €Bad Schandau90.00 €122.00 €
- Experience packages & additional servicesPriceFlexPLUS
up to 28 days before arrival, you can rebook or cancel free of charge one time39.00 € (DZ), 39.00 € (EZ)
per personAdditional night Dresden without luggage transfer at the end80.00 € (DZ), 117.00 € (EZ)
per personWalking tour to the Prebisch Gate (CZ)
incl. overnight stay with breakfast in Krippen/Bad Schandau82.00 € (DZ), 125.00 € (EZ)
per personArtPLUS: Artists in Dresden
Admission to permanent exhibition Albertinum, B&B in Dresden120.00 € (DZ), 160.00 € (EZ)
per personWalking tour along the Caspar David Friedrich Trail
incl. overnight stay with breakfast in Krippen/Bad Schandau82.00 € (DZ), 125.00 € (EZ)
per person