The MOST BEAUTIFUL hike on the Malerweg

All applicable guest taxes are NOT included in the tour price and must be paid locally.

Please note the Information Sheet for Travelers on Package Tours According to § 651a of the German Civil Code

• For organisational reasons, this walking holiday can only be booked up to 10 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 provided on the booking confirmation/invoice and will only be sent to the guest by the tour operator together with the travel documents after the trip has been booked.
• Communication during the trip is available in the following language: German
• This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
• German citizens must carry currently valid identification documents. All other travellers should observe the applicable passport and visa requirements and deadlines. Your embassy will be pleased to provide further information.
• Please also note the information in the Terms and Conditions of the tour operator CORSO …die reiseagentur
• The Saxon Switzerland Tourism Association acts solely as an intermediary for this trip.

• Day 1: Independent arrival in Lohmen
  You make your own way to Lohmen. Lohmen Castle towers above the town on a rugged rock. This small rural village between Pirna and Stadt Wehlen is an ideal starting point for an initial short hike along the Malerweg into the Liebethaler Grund: the little Wesenitz stream swiftly winds its way through narrow rocky gorges, defining the valley's wildly romantic character. The Richard Wagner Monument stands just a few steps from the once-popular Lochmühle mill.
• Day 2: Lohmen – Rathen health resort  (approx. 10 km)
  Hike along the Brückwaldweg and through the “Schleifgrund” directly into the “Uttewalder Grund”. This cool valley leads you through narrow ravines, past evidence of the formation of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and a rich variety of ferns, until you reach Stadt Wehlen on the Elbe. Passing the castle ruins and continuing via the “Steinerner Tisch”, you reach the most frequently visited site in Saxon Switzerland, the “Bastei”. Breathtaking vistas and the impressive Bastei Bridge high above the Elbe Valley offer magnificent views across the national park. Surrounded by rock formations such as the “Kleine Gans”, “Lokomotive” and “Talwächter”, the trail descends into the “Amselgrund”. In the evening, you have the opportunity to attend a performance at the Rathen Open-Air Stage or take a short walk to “Amselsee” lake (500m).
• Day 3: Rathen health resort – Gohrisch health resort  (approx. 17 km)
  In the morning, you ascend to Weißig and hike above the Elbe to Thürmsdorf, from where you can admire a popular 18th-century motif: the bend in the Elbe with the “Lilienstein” and “Königstein” table mountains. The Patrouillenweg leads you down to Königstein and then immediately uphill to the next magnificent viewpoint. From the plateau of the “Pfaffensteine”, with the famous “Barbarine” rock pinnacle in the foreground, you can enjoy a superb view. Following the Königsweg, you now enter the “Realm of Stones”. Seven prominent peaks – the “Papststein”, “Gohrisch”, “Kleinhennersdorfer Stein”, “Lasensteine”, “Kohlbornstein”, as well as the “Katzstein” and “Spitze Stein” to the south – define the landscape of the municipality of Gohrisch.
• Day 4: Gohrisch health resort – Bad Schandau  (approx. 9 km)
  You begin this day's stage by hiking along the Muselweg and ascending the Papststein. After descending from the Papststein, a short detour from the route to the Lichterhöhle cave is worthwhile. The Malerweg continues to Papstdorf and through Kleinhennersdorf to the Elbe at Krippen. Follow the Sonnenuhrenweg and discover the village's twelve sundials, or pause by the Krippenbach stream, where, with a little luck, you may spot the rare white-throated dipper, kingfisher or grey wagtail. After only a few steps, a view of the Elbe and the silhouette of Bad Schandau opens up before you, while to the east you can see the mighty Schrammsteine massif. Cross the Elbe by ferry and pass the distinctive Ostrau passenger lift on the right bank.
• Day 5: Hike into the Hintere Sächsische Schweiz  (approx. 13 km)
  Bad Schandau is the ideal starting point for a hike into the Hintere Sächsische Schweiz. You hike through the wildly romantic Lattengrund and ascend via steps and ladders along the ridge trail to the imposing Schrammsteine viewpoint, continuing into the Affensteine area. A historic tram, the Kirnitzschtalbahn, provides a convenient return journey to Bad Schandau (included in the mobile visitor's card).
• Day 6: Bad Schandau – Hohnstein/Polenz Valley  (approx. 17 km)
  Via the Schlossberg, follow the Panoramaweg to Altendorf. From Altendorf, continue along the Malerweg towards the Großdorfer Raubschloss. Upon reaching the Sebnitz Valley, continue for a short distance parallel to the National Park Railway as far as the small village of Kohlmühle, then proceed into the wildly romantic Kohlichtgraben. Climbing steadily, you follow the Mühlweg to the picturesque village of Waitzdorf. Before ascending to the Brandaussicht viewpoint opposite, you must first cross the Tiefer Grund. Upon reaching the Brand, you are rewarded with a breathtaking view. The Gautschgrotte leads you to Hohnstein.You descend through the Schindergraben into the Polenz Valley.
• Day 7: Hohnstein/Polenz Valley – Lohmen (approx. 13 km)
  The hike begins with an ascent via the iron staircase through the narrow rocky cleft of the Wolfsschlucht to the Hockstein viewpoint. *Various viewpoints offer sweeping vistas across the canyon-like Polenz Valley. The leisurely route continues across the stone Teufelsbrücke, past ancient beech trees and along the field boundary, with a beautiful distant view towards the Lilienstein, until you reach the small village of Rathewalde. In a romantic setting at the entrance to the Amselgrund, you pass the Rathewalde Mill. Shortly afterwards, the Grünbach stream cascades through the Amselloch in several small waterfalls and the large Amselfall. Arguably the most spectacular part of this stage is the narrow path through the Schwedenlöcher. After 700 steps, you reach the viewpoint at the exit of the Schwedenlöcher. A breathtaking view awaits you, encompassing the Bastei Bridge, the Lilienstein in the distance and the volcanic cones of Bohemian Switzerland on the horizon. Passing the Steinerner Tisch, you hike through the Höllengrund into the Uttewalder Grund towards Lohmen.
• Day 8: Independent departure from Lohmen