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Urlaub in der Sächsischen Schweiz -
Karte zur Wanderreise am Malerweg 8 Tage © AugustusTours -
Blick auf die Schrammsteine -
Baumpilz in der Sächsischen Schweiz -
Blick auf die Festung Königstein © Frank Exß -
Die Kirnitzschtalbahn -
Wanderwege in der Sächsischen Schweiz -
Liebethaler Grund altes Wasserkraftwerk © Franz Koshorst
Walking along the Malerweg Trail in 8 days
An unforgettable walking tour through picturesque landscapes and historic cities
This 85 km long circular hiking holiday leads you from Saxony's capital Dresden through the wildly rugged world of Saxon Switzerland. Set out to enjoy magnificient views and a wonderful nature experience. Lots of highlights await you along the walking route: the Bastei Bridge, the Brandstein view point, the Schrammsteine massif, the Fortress Königstein, charming villages, and finally back to the medieval town of Pirna or the baroque Florence on the Elbe, Dresden.
Duration | 8 days/ 7 nights |
Travel period | 01.04.2026 - 31.10.2026 Anreise: Daily |
Bookable from | 1 person(s) |
Total length of tour | 85 km |
Characteristics |
Phone +49 (0)351 - 563 48 20
Email: aktiv@augustustours.de
Itinerary
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Day 1: Individual arrival at Dresden
The "Florence on the Elbe", Dresden, shines with the world-famous sights of the Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady), the Zwinger, the Semper Opera House and the Brühl Terrace and forms a picturesque silhouette. Let yourself be enchanted by the historical flair during a stroll through the baroque Old Town. Being a "Gateway to the Saxon Switzerland", Pirna is 20 km distant from Dresden and is characterzied by its medieval alleys as well as charming cafés and restaurants.
Overnight stay in Dresden
Overnight stay in Pirna with surcharge: 20 € p.p. in dbl, 40 € in sgl
Bookable ExperiencePACKAGE:
Make it cultural!
ArtPLUS: Artists in Dresden -
Day 2: Wehlen - Hohnstein (approx. 11 km, walking time: approx. 4 hrs, + 428 m, - 278 m)
In the morning, you will take the S-bahn train to Wehlen, the starting point of your first hiking tour along the Malerweg (tickets included, duration: approx. 40 minutes). Look foward to the probably most famous viewpoint: 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. Thereafter, you descend into the Amselgrund and head for the second highlight of todays route- the Hockstein from where there are exciting views of the lower Polenztal valley. Through the Wolfschlucht gorge, past the Polenztal valley you reach Hohnstein, your destination for todays stage.
Overnight stay in Hohnstein -
Day 3: Hohnstein – Altendorf/Kirnitzschtal/Bad Schandau (approx. 15 km, walking time: approx. 6 hrs, + 390 m, - 430 m)
Today you will hike to the Brand viewpoint which is also called the ‘Balcony of Saxon Switzerland’. You will continue the tour by taking roughly 800 steps down into the ‘Tiefen Grund’ gorge. Passing Waitzdorf you will reach Altendorf or continue along the Panorama trail to Altendorf or the Kirnitzschtal valley, depending on availability.
Overnight stay in Altendorf, Kirnitzschtal valley or Bad Schandau -
Day 4: Altendorf/Kirnitzschtal/Bad Schandau – Schrammsteine – Neumannmühle (approx. 18,5 km, walking time: 6.5 hrs, + 440 m, - 410 m)
Hike uphill to the Schrammstein viewpoint and along the ridge path through the Schrammstein massif. Passing the Großer and Kleiner Dom, you reach the Affensteinweg, which leads you to the Lichtenhainer Wasserfall. Via the Kuhstall with its sky ladder, you reach the stage destination - the technical monument Neumannmühle. By bus you return to the Kirnitzschtal valley or to Bad Schandau.
Overnight stay in the Kirnitzschtal valley or Bad Schandau -
Day 5: Neumannmühle – Großer Winterberg – region Schmilka/ Krippen (approx. 13.5 km, walking time: approx. 5.5 hrs, + 506 m, - 603 m)
You start the day taking the bus back to Neumannmühle to continue the walking tour along the Malerweg Trail. Explore the region called "Hintere Sächsische Schweiz" with Zeughaus and Goldstein viewpoint before climbing up the mountain Großer Winterberg, with 556 metres the second highest mountain in Saxon Switzerland. In Schmilka you take the Elbe ferry and travel by S-Bahn train to your accommodation in Bad Schandau/Krippen.
Overnight stay in Krippen
Bookable ExperiencePACKAGE:
Make it even more beautiful!
Hike to the Prebischtor in Bohemian Switzerland -
Day 6: region Schmilka/ Krippen – Gohrisch (approx. 17 km, walking time: 6.5 hrs, + 490 m, - 260 m)
Take the S-Bahn to the end of yesterdays hike to Schmilka. Climbing the table mountains Papststein and Gohrisch are on your tour plan today. You will spend the night in Gohrisch.
Overnights stay in Gohrisch
Bookable ExperiencePACKAGE:
Make it even more beautiful!
Hike to the Lilienstein table mountain -
Day 7: Gohrisch - Königstein (approx. 9 km, walking time: approx. 4 hrs, + 201 m, - 396 m)
Todays short hike along the Malerweg leads you over the Pfaffenstein, past the Diebeskeller cave to Königstein Fortress. This leaves enough time for a visit to the "Impregnable". You travel by S-Bahn train to your accommodation in Pirna/Dresden.
Overnight stay in Dresden
Overnight stay in Pirna with surcharge: 20 € p.p. in dbl, 40 € in sgl -
Day 8: Individual departure
We would be delighted to book additional overnight stays for you in Dresden or in other towns along the trail.
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.
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!
Spend another night in Gohrisch and go on a breathtaking circular hike to the Lilienstein table mountain on the right bank of the Elbe, the landmark of Saxon Switzerland. An impressive view of the Elbe and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains awaits you (approx. 11 km, walking time: approx. 4 h, +385 m, -390 m)!
Services:
- Overnight stay incl. breakfast in Gohrisch
Price: from 85 € 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
- 7 x overnight stay in hotels with 3-star-standard and guesthouses
- 7 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 walking holidays
Additional services
Please feel free to add the following value-added services to the basic travel package to personalize your walking holidays 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 26.09.2026769.00 € per person999.00 € per personPrice validity: 27.09.2026 to 31.10.2026809.00 € per person1,039.00 € per person769.00 € per person999.00 € per person
- Prices for additional nightsDblSglDresden80.00 €119.00 €Bad Schandau90.00 €122.00 €
- Experience packages & additional servicesPriceExperience package: Excursion to Lilienstein (Overnight stay in Gohrisch)85.00 € (DZ), 125.00 € (EZ)
per personExperience package: Excursion to the Prebischtor (rock gate) (Overnight stay in Krippen)85.00 € (DZ), 125.00 € (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