The CHALLENGING hike along the Malerweg

All applicable guest taxes are NOT included in the travel price and must be paid on site.

Please note the Information sheet for informing the traveler in the case of a package tour according to § 651a of the German Civil Code

• For organisational reasons, this walking tour can only be booked up to 10 days before the arrival date.
• For the tours, 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 with the travel documents by the tour operator 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 nationals require valid identification documents. All other travellers should observe the relevant passport and visa requirements and deadlines. Your embassy will be happy to provide further information.
• Please also note the information in the General 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 travel to Pirna
  Make your own way to Pirna by train or car (affordable parking is available in the multi-storey car park)
• Day 2: Pirna/Liebethaler Grund - Kurort Rathen  (approx. 21/16 km)
  Your hike begins in Pirna, crossing the Elbe and continuing via Jessen to the starting point of the Malerweg trail at Liebethaler Grund (approx. 5 km).
  Alternatively, take the G/L regional bus from Pirna to Liebethal (approx. 20 minutes' journey, included in the Gästekarte mobil visitor card). Liebethaler Grund is the gateway to the Malerweg trail. Following the Wesenitz river, this stage leads through the romantic ravine to the monumental Richard Wagner Memorial. After passing through Lohmen, you reach Uttewalder Grund. The Malerweg trail leads through the Uttewalder Felsentor rock gateway and Wehlener Grund to Wehlen on the Elbe. Here you will also find the ruins of Wehlen Castle, whose plateau offers a beautiful view over the small town. From Wehlen, the Malerweg follows the Schwarzbergweg, passing the “Steinerner Tisch” before reaching what is probably Saxon Switzerland's best-known landmark, the Bastei viewpoint. From here, you can look 190 metres down into the Elbe Valley. After descending from the Bastei, you reach the small spa resort of Rathen.
• Day 3: Kurort Rathen/Hohnstein Polenztal - Kirnitzschtal  (approx. 24/19 km)
  After Amselsee lake in Kurort Rathen, the trail leads into the Schwedenlöcher gorge. This is a worthwhile short detour from the route, involving a brief hike into the narrow Schwedenlöcher valley. After returning to Amselgrund and making a short ascent, you reach Rathewalde. Shortly before the Hockstein viewpoint, you cross the Teufelsbrücke bridge and follow the Malerweg down through the narrow Wolfsschlucht gorge into the Polenztal valley. The small town of Hohnstein and its castle tower above the valley. Passing the remains of the walls of the former bear enclosure, the trail leads directly into the small town, which is also renowned for its Hohnstein hand puppets. Leaving Hohnstein, the Malerweg leads to one of Saxon Switzerland's finest viewpoints, the Brandaussicht. The steep descent down the numerous Brandstufen steps takes you to Tiefen Grund, from where you follow the Malerweg to the picturesque village of Waitzdorf. In the centre of the village is the Waitzdorfer Schänke, with its beer garden and dining room. Continue along the trail to Kohlmühle. From here, the route runs parallel to the National Park Railway towards Großdorfer Raubschloss. Take the Mühlenweg out of the Sebnitz Valley and climb to Altendorf, then follow the extensive system of steps and walkways through the Dorfbachklamm gorge to reach the Kirnitzschtal valley.
• Day 4: Kirnitzschtal - Kirnitzschtal Lichtenhain  (approx. 14 km)
  From Ostrau, the Malerweg passes Falkenstein en route to the Großer Schrammtor rock gateway and the imposing Schrammsteinaussicht viewpoint. A genuine ridge walk at the “highest level” rewards you with magnificent views. Via the Schrammsteinweg and Zurückesteig, you reach the Affensteine area. At this point, a worthwhile detour from the Malerweg leads to the Carolaaussicht viewpoint. Back on the Malerweg route, enjoy a leisurely descent towards the Lichtenhain Waterfall via Kleiner Dom and the lower Affensteinweg, continuing down into the Kirnitzschtal valley.
• Day 5: Kirnitzschtal Lichtenhain - Schmilka  (approx. 20 km)
  The Malerweg initially leads you to the Kuhstall rock gateway, the second-largest natural rock arch in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains after the Pravčická brána.
  Do not miss the somewhat concealed ascent to Neuer Wildenstein through the narrow Himmelsleiter rock crevice. Remnants of Wildenstein Castle can still be discovered on the rocky plateau. From Felsenmühle, the Malerweg runs upstream along the Kirnitzsch river to Buschmühle and then continues to the Kleinsteinhöhle cave. Follow the road towards Räumichtmühle and, shortly before reaching it, turn into the Mühlschlüchte ravines. Passing the historic Altes Zeughaus, hike via Pohlshorn and the Goldsteinaussicht viewpoint to the beech-covered basalt summit of Großer Winterberg. The “Eishaus” National Park Information Centre is located here. The stepped mountain trail soon brings you to Schmilka, where a visit to the Schmilkaer Mühle, with its mill garden and bakery, is recommended.
• Day 6: Schmilka - Königstein, Halbestadt district  (approx. 25 km)
  Cross the Elbe by ferry and hike via the Aschersteig trail to Schöna.
  Your hike begins with the ascent to Wolfsberg. In Reinhardtsdorf, discover a jewel of Baroque ecclesiastical architecture. The church in Reinhardtsdorf is one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in the region. From Reinhardtsdorf, the Malerweg leads into the Krippenbach Valley. Two further “highlights” await you along the route: at 451 and 440 metres respectively, Papststein and Gohrisch are the highest points on the Malerweg after Großer Winterberg. Follow the Muselweg to the spa resort of Gohrisch and, shortly afterwards, begin the ascent to Pfaffenstein. Here you can enjoy a view of the legendary “Barbarine”, a rock pinnacle said to be a maiden turned to stone. Descend from Pfaffenstein via the Kammerweg and hike towards Quirl. This table mountain is home to Saxon Switzerland's largest cave, the Diebskeller. From Pfaffendorf, the Malerweg leads you into the Elbe Valley and through the narrow lanes of Königstein's old town. Cross the Elbe by ferry and reach the district of Halbestadt.
• Day 7: Königstein, Halbestadt district - Pirna (approx. 20 km)
  In the morning, hike via the Latzweg to the famous Königstein Fortress, reaching Thürmsdorf shortly afterwards.
  Those with a sweet tooth should not miss the opportunity to visit the chocolate manufactory at Thürmsdorf Castle. At the Biedermann Mausoleum, the Thiele viewpoint also offers views of the Elbe, Lilienstein and Königstein Fortress. A few kilometres further on, you reach Weißig. At Rauenstein, the hiking trail ascends the final summit of the Malerweg. The Robert Sterl House in Naundorf is well worth a visit. The museum preserves the artistic legacy of the Impressionist painter Robert Sterl. Königsnase offers one final view over the Elbe Valley. Shortly before Pirna, the Malerweg joins the Canalettoweg and finally ends at Pirna's market square. Stroll through the picturesque historic old town, with its elaborately decorated town houses, and discover distinctive details such as the Devil's and Angel's oriel windows.
• Day 8: Independent return journey from Pirna