Skip to main content

Mo – Fr: 8.00 – 18.00 Uhr | Tel. +49 (0)351 563 48 0 | info@augustustours.de

  • Urlaub in Pirna und der Sächsischen Schweiz

    Urlaub in Pirna und der Sächsischen Schweiz

  • Blick auf die Schrammsteine

    Blick auf die Schrammsteine

  • Baumpilz in der Sächsischen Schweiz

    Baumpilz in der Sächsischen Schweiz

  • Blick auf die Festung Königstein © Frank Exß

    Blick auf die Festung Königstein © Frank Exß

  • Die Kirnitzschtalbahn

    Die Kirnitzschtalbahn

  • Wanderwege in der Sächsischen Schweiz

    Wanderwege in der Sächsischen Schweiz

  • Liebethaler Grund altes Wasserkraftwerk © Franz Koshorst

    Liebethaler Grund altes Wasserkraftwerk © Franz Koshorst

Walking along the Malerweg Trail in 8 days

An unforgettable walking tour through picturesque landscapes and historic cities


The Elbe Sandstone Malerweg Trail, which translates to "Painter's Path" and marked with a significant "M", follows the tracks of romantic artists. It allows you to discover diverse hiking tracks along bizarre rock formations of Saxon Switzerland.

This 85 km long circular hiking holiday leads you either from Saxony's capital Dresden or Pirna 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.

Navigation

Duration
8 days/ 7 nights
Travel period
01.04.2024 - 31.10.2024
Anreise: Daily
Bookable from
1 person(s)
Total length of tour
85 km
Characteristics of the tour
Level of difficulty: averageCircular tour (1st and last overnight stay in the same hotel)AugustusTours Original Tour (organized by AugustusTours)Top-Tour (popular tour)Travel with dog
© Robert Michalk Photography © Robert Michalk Photography
Your Contact Persons

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Individual arrival at Pirna/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 Pirna or Dresden


    Bookable ExperiencePACKAGE:
    Make it cultural!
    ArtPLUS: Caspar David Friedrich
  • Day 2: Wehlen - Hohnstein (approx. 11 km, walking time: approx. 4 hrs, + 480 m, - 400 m)
    In the morning, you will take the S-bahn train to Wehlen, the starting point of your first hiking tour along the Malerweg (Duration: approx. 40/7 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, + 600 m, - 520 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, + 700 m, - 755 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, + 620 m, - 720 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. 18 km, walking time: 6.5 hrs, + 640 m, - 470 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, + 270 m, - 470 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 Pirna or Dresden
  • Day 8: Individual departure
    We would be delighted to book additional overnight stays for you in Dresden/Pirna 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!

  • 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 75 € p.p. in a double room

  • ArtPLUS: Caspar David Friedrich

    Make it cultural!

    Visit the Albertinum in Dresden with the New Masters Gallery (open daily except Mondays) and marvel at Caspar David Friedrich's works. You will receive a ticket for the permanent exhibition (until 23 August 2024) or for the special exhibition about the painter (from 24 August 2024) 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 100 € p.p. in a double room

  • Hike to the Lilienstein table mountain

    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, +480 m, -480 m)!

    Services:

    • Overnight stay incl. breakfast in Gohrisch

    Price: from 75 € p.p. in a double room

Services

Services included

  • 7 x overnight stay in hotels with 3-star-standard and guesthouses
  • 7 x continental breakfast
  • 1 x dinner as 2-course menu or buffet
  • Luggage transfer from accommodation to accommodation (up to 2 pieces of luggage per person, maximum 20 kg each)
  • GPS data on request
  • 1 package with maps and information material 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 Pirna/Dresden
  • Trip to Lilienstein on day 7 from/to Gohrisch (additional night)
  • FlexPLUS: rebook or cancel up to 28 days before arrival without giving reasons (more about our FlexPLUS)

Accommodation categories

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

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 cycle trip is not recommendable for travellers with mobility impairments.

Arrival & Departure

How to get to the tour

Tips on how to get to Pirna

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 in a short time by foot or we recommend you to take 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

  • Prices for services included
    incl. luggage transfer
    Dbl
    Sgl
    Price validity: 01.04.2024 to 05.05.2024
    719.00 € per person
    929.00 € per person
    Price validity: 06.05.2024 to 05.10.2024
    755.00 € per person
    965.00 € per person
    Price validity: 06.10.2024 to 31.10.2024
    719.00 € per person
    929.00 € per person
  • Prices for additional nights
    Dbl
    Sgl
    Pirna
    85.00 €
    115.00 €
    Bad Schandau
    85.00 €
    115.00 €
    Dresden
    75.00 €
    110.00 €
  • Experience packages
     
    Price
    FlexPLUS
    39.00 € (DZ), 39.00 € (EZ)
    per person
    Wanderung zum Prebischtor (CZ)
    75.00 € (DZ), 110.00 € (EZ)
    per person
    Wanderung zum Lilienstein
    75.00 € (DZ), 110.00 € (EZ)
    per person
    KunstPLUS: Caspar David Friedrich
    100.00 € (DZ), 140.00 € (EZ)
    per person

As always...

5% Early Bird Discount
on all active holidays

until 29/02/2024 (upon the basic package price)