--- title: "🎟️ ️ Circular hiking tour Saxon Switzerland – per person" url: "https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/en/booking/package-offers/malerweg-hiking-without-luggage/6-and-7-nights/augustustours-circular-hiking-tour" description: "✔️ 6–7 nights ✔️ Luggage transfer included ✔️ Overnight stays in hotels – discover the highlights of the Saxon Switzerland ➤ Secure your offer!" language: "en" breadcrumb: "Root > Saxon Switzerland > BOOKING > PACKAGE OFFERS > Malerweg: Hiking Without Luggage > 6 and 7 nights > AugustusTours: Circular Hiking Tour" --- **Circular walking holiday in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains** ============================================================ For centuries, the **Elbe Sandstone Mountains** have captivated nature lovers, romantics and hiking enthusiasts. Hike through the rugged rocky landscape of Saxon Switzerland and enjoy breathtaking views from bizarre rock formations interspersed with romantic valleys. During your hiking holiday, you will experience both the well-known sights of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, such as the **Bastei near Rathen** and **Königstein Fortress**, as well as lesser-known but equally impressive rock formations and gorges in this extraordinary hiking region. **Tour operator: AugustusTours GmbH & Co. KG** Owner: Anke Herrmann Turnerweg 6 \* 01097 Dresden **Services and prices** Validity period: 01.04.2026 - 31.10.2026 Total distance: 70 km Difficulty level: moderate NO twin rooms (separate beds) are available. - 6 overnight stays in hotels of the booked category - 6 x substantial breakfasts - 6x evening meals - GPS data - 1 package of comprehensive maps and information material per room - Luggage transfer from one accommodation to the next - Telephone support during the trip - CATEGORY A: Admission to the Toskana Therme Bad Schandau spa - **TRIP OF THE YEAR 2026 - BONUS:** Admission to Königstein Fortress Outlooks Walking season 01.04.2026 - 10.05.2026 **Category A** (hiker-friendly hotels of 3- and 4-star standard) Double room €999.00 per person Single room €1,409.00 per person **Category B** (hiker-friendly guest houses and hotels of 3-star standard) Double room €869.00 per person Single room €1,129.00 per person All incurred guest taxes are NOT included in the travel price and are to be paid on site. Please note the **Requirements** ---------------- - For organisational reasons, this walking holiday can only be booked up to 7 days before the arrival date. - For the walks, we recommend sturdy, ankle-high walking boots and a small rucksack for provisions and waterproof clothing. - A good basic level of fitness, sure-footedness and a head for heights are required for this walking holiday. - The complete list of booked accommodation is included in 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. - This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility. - German nationals must carry currently valid identity documents. All other travellers should observe the relevant passport and visa requirements and deadlines. Your embassy will be pleased to provide further information. - Please also refer to the information in the . - The Saxon Switzerland Tourism Association acts solely as an intermediary for this trip. **Tour description** -------------------- - **Day 1: Independent travel to Bad Schandau** After arriving in Bad Schandau, either by car or train, you can take a short tour of the town. The imposing Protestant Church of St John, with its octagonal west tower, has stood in its present form since 1679 and is located directly on the market square. Together with the numerous hotels lining the Elbe and the two bridges across the river, St John’s Church defines the skyline of Bad Schandau. *Overnight stay in Bad Schandau* - **Day 2: Bad Schandau – Kurort Rathen (approx. 18 km, approx. 5.5 hours)** Your first hike begins with an ascent. At the summit, you are rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view. From here, you descend the approximately 800 Brand steps to Brand, also known as the "Balcony of Saxon Switzerland". Your next hiking destination is the impressive Hohnstein Castle. The castle’s history dates back to 1444, when Hohnstein was granted town privileges. The final section of today’s hike takes you through idyllic valleys and forests, past the beautiful Amselsee lake and into the tranquil spa resort of Rathen. *Overnight stay in Rathen* - **Day 3: Circular hike around Kurort Rathen (approx. 11 km, approx. 4 hours)** The third day of your walking holiday begins with the ascent to the famous Bastei rock formation. Here, at an elevation of 300 metres, you can enjoy the view over the Elbe and the verdant surroundings. From the Bastei, you continue hiking via the Höllengrund and Wehlener Grund valleys to the town of Wehlen. In this picturesque resort, you have the opportunity to see the Herbrig organ in St Michael’s Church. You cross the Elbe by ferry (additional charge) and return to Rathen along the left bank of the river via the Rauenstein table mountain. *Overnight stay in Rathen* - **Day 4: Kurort Rathen – Gohrisch (approx. 17 km, approx. 5.5 hours)** After your overnight stay in Rathen, you ascend via Weißig to Königstein Fortress, the largest fortress complex in Europe. After passing through Königstein, comfortable woodland paths take you to the Pfaffenstein, with its famous Barbarine rock pinnacle. Standing over 42 metres high, it is the best-known freestanding rock formation in the German part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and one of the landmarks of Saxon Switzerland. The hike then continues along the Pfaffenstein trail up to the summit of the Pfaffenstein, which offers an impressive view of the Lilienstein. You then follow the Muselweg trail to the spa resort of Gohrisch, originally known as "dorffe Gorusch". *Overnight stay in Gohrisch* - **Day 5: Kurort Gohrisch – Bad Schandau/Krippen (approx. 9 km, approx. 3 hours)** After thoroughly enjoying the region around Gohrisch, sometimes affectionately known as the "Realm of Stones", your hike through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains continues to the Gohrisch (448 m) and Papststein (451 m). Both rock formations offer magnificent views of the rugged landscape of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The route then takes you through the adventurous Kleinhennersdorf caves and via the Liethen valley to Krippen, a district of Bad Schandau on the left bank of the Elbe, or to Bad Schandau itself. *Overnight stay in Bad Schandau or Krippen* - **Day 6: Bad Schandau/Krippen – Lichtenhain Waterfall (approx. 13 km, approx. 4.5 hours)** Take the ferry across the Elbe to the starting point of your final hike. You begin with a somewhat strenuous ascent to the Schrammsteine – but do not worry, the effort is worthwhile, as you are rewarded with a breathtaking, expansive view across the entire Elbe Sandstone Mountains. You then follow the forest path along the Affensteig trail and reach the Lichtenhain Waterfall. From here, you return to Bad Schandau by bus or the famous Kirnitzschtal tramway (additional charge). *Overnight stay in Bad Schandau* - **Day 7: Independent return journey** Impressions of the walking holiday ---------------------------------- - Church on the Market Square in Bad Schandau - National Park Information Centre at the Brandbaude - Castle Town of Hohnstein - Polenz Valley - The Elbe near Kurort Rathen - Bastei Bridge - On the Rauenstein - Rocky ridge on the Rauenstein - View from the Pfaffenstein - Barbarine rock pinnacle at Pfaffenstein - View from the Gohrisch rock - Ascent to Papststein **Request a booking** --------------------- Please provide us with all the information required for your booking enquiry: