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  • Die Basteibrücke Rathen
    Die Basteibrücke Rathen
  • Karte zur Wanderreise am Malerweg Teil 1 © AugustusTours
    Karte zur Wanderreise am Malerweg Teil 1 © AugustusTours
  • Ausblick in die Sächsische Schweiz © Robert Michalk Photography
    Ausblick in die Sächsische Schweiz © Robert Michalk Photography
  • Auf dem Malerweg im Liebethaler Grund
    Auf dem Malerweg im Liebethaler Grund
  • Brand-Aussicht: "Balkon der Sächsischen Schweiz" © Steffen Unger, Brand-Baude
    Brand-Aussicht: "Balkon der Sächsischen Schweiz" © Steffen Unger, Brand-Baude
  • Wandergruppe in der Sächsischen Schweiz © Robert Michalk Photography
    Wandergruppe in der Sächsischen Schweiz © Robert Michalk Photography
  • Schrammsteine im Morgennebel © Uwe Kögler
    Schrammsteine im Morgennebel © Uwe Kögler
  • Ausschilderung in der Sächsischen Schweiz © Robert Michalk Photography
    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


5 % early birds discount on all active holidays
5 % early birds discount on all active holidays
The rather small, but therefore very famous Elbe Sandstone Mountains are located in the far East of Germany. There, just a glimpse away from Saxony’s capitol Dresden, you can immerge into a magic world of impressive rock formations, deep valleys, historical fortresses and the river landscape of the Elbe River. The unique rock formations of Elbe Sandstone Mountains have been fascinating people from all over the world at all times. There, poets and painters once found inspiration and a counterpart to turbulent city life.

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!
Navigation
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
Level of difficulty: averageLevel of difficulty: average
Place-to-place tourPlace-to-place tour
AugustusTours Original Tour (organized by AugustusTours)AugustusTours Original Tour (organized by AugustusTours)
Travel with dog possibleTravel with dog possible
© Robert Michalk Photography © Robert Michalk Photography
Your Contact Persons

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!

ErlebnisBAUSTEINExperience PACKAGES

Put the crown on your holiday!

ArtPLUS: Romantic in Dresden
ErlebnisBAUSTEIN

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

Hike along the Caspar David Friedrich Trail
ErlebnisBAUSTEIN

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

Hike to the Prebischtor in Bohemian Switzerland
Prebischtor © Gunnar Freise

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

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

We book hiker-friendly hotels and guesthouses with 3-star standard for you.

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

Tips on how to get to Dresden

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.

Prices

TIP: Please click on + to display the prices!

  • Prices for services included
    incl. luggage transfer
    Dbl
    Sgl
    Price validity: 01.04.2026 to 10.05.2026
    595.00 € per person
    825.00 € per person
    Price validity: 11.05.2026 to 26.09.2026
    629.00 € per person
    859.00 € per person
    Price validity: 27.09.2026 to 31.10.2026
    595.00 € per person
    825.00 € per person
  • Prices for additional nights
    Dbl
    Sgl
    Dresden
    80.00 €
    119.00 €
    Bad Schandau
    90.00 €
    122.00 €
  • Experience packages & additional services
     
    Price
    Experience package: Excursion to the Prebischtor (rock gate) (Overnight stay in Krippen)
    85.00 € (DZ), 125.00 € (EZ)
    per person
    Experience package: Excursion Caspar David Friedrich Trail (overnight stay in Krippen)
    85.00 € (DZ), 125.00 € (EZ)
    per person
    Experience package: additional night in Dresden (without luggage transport) at the end of tour
    80.00 € (DZ), 119.00 € (EZ)
    per person
    Experience package: Art PLUS Romantic in Dresden (Overnight stay in Dresden)
    125.00 € (DZ), 160.00 € (EZ)
    per person
    FlexPLUS
    rebook or cancel up to 28 days before arrival, only available for AugustusTours-Original-Tours
    39.00 € (DZ), 39.00 € (EZ)
    per person
    Discount on digital travel documents
    -20.00 € (DZ), -20.00 € (EZ)
    per room