Follow in the footsteps of famous painters such as Caspar David Friedrich, Ludwig Richter and Anton Graff on this walking tour along the Painters’ Way through Saxon Switzerland!
Walking holiday on the Malerweg
Part 1: from Pirna to Bad Schandau
Tour operator: AugustusTours GmbH & Co. KG
Proprietor: Anke Herrmann
Turnerweg 6 * 01097 Dresden
Services and prices
Validity period: 01/04/2026 - 31/10/2026
Total length: 120 km
Difficulty level: moderate
NO twin rooms (separate beds) are available.
- 5 nights in guesthouses of a 3-star standard
- 5 x generous breakfasts
- 1 x evening meal as a 2-course set menu or buffet
- Tickets for the hiking days (partly included with the guest card)
- 1 package of detailed maps and information material per room
- Luggage transfer from one accommodation to the next
- Telephone support during the trip
Walking season
01.04.2026 - 10.05.2026
Double room €595.00 per person
Single room €825.00 per person
Peak walking season
11.05.2026 - 26.09.2026
Double room €629.00 per person
Single room €859.00 per person
Walking season
27.09.2026 - 31.10.2026
Double room €595.00 per person
Single room €825.00 per person
All applicable visitor taxes are NOT included in the travel price and must be paid on site.
Please note the Information sheet for informing travelers on package tours according to § 651a of the Civil Code
Requirements
- For organisational reasons, this hiking tour can only be booked up to 7 days before the arrival date.
- For the tours, we recommend sturdy ankle-high hiking boots as well as a small rucksack for provisions and rainwear.
- A good basic level of fitness, sure-footedness and a head for heights are required for this hiking holiday.
- The complete list of booked accommodation is provided on the travel confirmation/invoice and will only be sent to the guest by post with the relevant documents by the tour operator after the trip has been booked.
- Communication during the trip is available in the following languages: German and English.
- The trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
- Current identity documents are required for German nationals. All other travellers should observe the relevant passport and visa deadlines. Your embassy will be pleased to provide further information.
- Please also note the information in the terms and conditions of the tour operator Augustus Tours.
- The Saxon Switzerland Tourism Association acts solely as an agent for this trip.
Tour description
- Day 1: Individual journey to Dresden
We recommend taking a tour of Dresden and discovering the beautiful ‘Florence on the Elbe’. Overnight stay in Dresden - Day 2: Dresden/ Pirna-Liebethal | Wehlen / Kurort Rathen (approx. 12 / 16 km, approx. 4/ 5.5 hrs)
In the morning, you travel by suburban train and bus to the starting point in Pirna-Liebethal. You hike through three wildly romantic valleys. From there, it is not far to the famous Bastei Bridge. Your destination for the day is Wehlen or Kurort Rathen (subject to availability). - Day 3: Wehlen/ Kurort Rathen | Hohnstein (approx. 11/ 7 km, approx. 4/ 2.5 hrs)
In the morning, you reach the most famous viewpoint in Saxon Switzerland – the Bastei Bridge. You then descend into the Amselgrund valley and head towards the second highlight of the day – the Hockstein. The Wolfsschlucht gorge leads you into the Polenztal valley, below the town of Hohnstein and its castle. - Day 4: Hohnstein | Altendorf/Kirnitzschtal/ Bad Schandau (approx. 15 km, approx. 6 hrs)
Passing through the Schindergraben gorge, you come to the Gautschgrotte cave. The Brand viewpoint is today’s highlight. You then descend more than 800 steps into the Tiefen Grund valley. Via Waitzdorf, you reach Altendorf or the Kirnitzschtal valley. Subject to availability, you stay overnight in Altendorf, in the Kirnitzschtal valley or in Bad Schandau. - Day 5: Altendorf/Kirnitzschtal | Schrammsteine | Neumannmühle (approx. 18.5 km. approx. 6.5 hrs)
The direct route leads uphill to the Schrammsteine viewpoint and then along the ridge trail through the Schrammsteine massif. Passing the Großer Dom and Kleiner Dom, you reach the Affensteinweg trail. This leads to the Lichtenhain Waterfall. Via the Kuhstall rock formation, you reach today’s destination, the Neumannmühle technical monument. You travel by public bus to Bad Schandau, where your walking holiday draws to a relaxing close. - Day 6: Individual return journey
IMPORTANT!
The distances stated in the itinerary refer solely to the individual walking stages. Depending on availability, the locations of the overnight accommodation may differ from the starting and finishing points of the walks.
Impressions of the walking holiday
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