Hiking through Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland

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

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

• For organisational reasons, this hiking tour can only be booked up to 10 days before the arrival date.
• For the tours, we recommend sturdy, ankle-high hiking 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 hiking 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 languages: German
• The trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
• German citizens must carry valid identification documents. All other travellers should observe the relevant passport and visa validity requirements. 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 journey to Bad Schandau
  Make your own way to Bad Schandau. If you arrive early, you can undertake a circular walk from and back to Bad Schandau on the day of arrival.
• Day 2: Bad Schandau – Kirnitzsch Valley  (approx. 13 km)
  Your walk begins directly in Bad Schandau at the historic passenger lift, which takes you up to the Ostrau plateau. Passing through the Zahnsgrund and Lattengrund valleys, you reach the imposing Schrammtor rock formation. The Jägersteig trail leads via ladders and steps up to the Schrammsteine rocks and their spectacular viewpoints. Follow the ridge path across the Schrammsteine and continue along the trail into the rocky labyrinth of the Affensteine. The rocky plateau at the entrance to the Breite Kluft gorge provides a wonderful picnic spot just a few metres off the route, where you can have a bite to eat and enjoy the beautiful view. In the Affensteine area, you reach Carolafelsen, the highest summit of this rock formation, with its magnificent Carolaaussicht viewpoint. Those who prefer a leisurely descent into the Kirnitzsch Valley can follow the trail via Sandloch and the Lower Affenstein Trail. Alternatively, take the highly recommended route through the narrow Wilde Hölle gorge. This particularly scenic and unspoilt path provides a fairly demanding descent over rocky terrain and ends at a perpetually damp stairway. Good sure-footedness is essential when traversing the Wilde Hölle. Upon reaching the Lower Affenstein Trail, the route passes the imposing Bloßstock rock and descends along a gently tapering path into the Kirnitzsch Valley. Return to your accommodation in Bad Schandau on the historic Kirnitzsch Valley tramway or hiking bus 241 (free with the mobile guest card)
• Day 3: Bad Schandau – Kirnitzsch Valley–Hinterhermsdorf  (approx. 13 km)
  Take hiking bus 241 or the Kirnitzsch Valley tramway to Lichtenhain Waterfall. Walk to the famous Kuhstall rock arch, the second-largest rock arch in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains after the Pravčice Gate. Leave Kuhstall heading south and follow the Fremdenweg trail towards Kleiner Winterberg. Passing the Winterbergspitzen rocks, the trail winds down numerous steps to the Lower Fremdenweg. The effort is richly rewarded! From Gleitmannshorn, a sweeping panorama unfolds across the Bärenfangwände cliffs and Winterstein all the way to nearby Bohemian Switzerland. Follow the Reitsteig to the Roßsteig and the Goldstein viewpoint, before finally reaching Zeughaus. Follow the Malerweg route signs to the Grosser Polshorn viewpoint, then continue past Kleiner Polshorn along the Upper Hirschwald Trail directly to the day's destination, Hinterhermsdorf.
• Day 4: Hinterhermsdorf – Vysoká Lípa / Hohenleipa)  (approx. 14 km)
  From Hinterhermsdorf, walk past the Buchenparkhalle to the boat landing at the Upper Lock. A short boat trip provides a convenient passage through the narrow rocky gorge of the Kirnitzsch (cash payment on site, approx. €7 per person). As an alternative to the boat trip, a beautiful trail above the gorge also leads to Hermannseck, which offers an interesting view into the deep ravine. The trail meanders along a narrow path through the Kirnitzsch Gorge to the Bärenhöhle cave. After passing through Bärenhöhle in Wolfsgrund, the trail continues gently along the Kirnitzsch. Once the Rabensteine rocks appear on the right, the bridge across the Kirnitzsch is not far away. Crossing the bridge takes you into the Czech Republic. The forest track then continues on a gentle incline through Bohemian Switzerland National Park to Vysoká Lípa/Hohenleipa.
• Day 5: Vysoká Lípa (Hohenleipa) – Circular walk  (approx. 17 km)
  From Vysoká Lípa, head east along the rocks, with views of the Jetřichovice rock formations. A narrow path leads to the summit, partly via wooden and sandstone steps and short sections of iron ladders. From here, enjoy a wonderful panoramic view across Bohemian Switzerland as far as the Lusatian Mountains. The views from Wilhelminenwand and Marienfelsen are even more spectacular. The newly built wooden pavilion affords a magnificent panorama of the pointed volcanic cones of Bohemian Switzerland. The return route to Vysoká Lípa follows the Bielebach stream from the Old Mill to the ruins of Grundmühle. The view from Schlossberg near Vysoká Lípa provides a truly crowning conclusion to the day's stage.
• Day 6: Vysoká Lípa (Hohenleipa) – Circular walk (approx. 17 km)
  Leave the small village of Vysoká Lípa for your next destination, the Schauenstein robber barons' castle (Šaunštejn). Iron ladders, walkways and narrow rock crevices lead you up to Schauenstein. The somewhat arduous ascent is rewarded with fantastic views across Bohemian Switzerland. Just under half an hour from Schauenstein lies the Small Pravčice Gate, which looks almost as though it served as the model for its larger counterpart. From here, descend several hundred metres along the waymarked trail to Mezní Louka. On the way to Hutberg, pass through the Wild Gorge. Here you have the option of a boat trip through this wildly romantic gorge (payment on site, approx. CZK 100 or €4). This is followed by a gradual ascent to Růžová and onwards to Hutberg. An exceptional observation tower stands on Hutberg, reminiscent of a lighthouse and affectionately known as Růženka (‘Little Rose’). Passing Rosenberg, the second-highest mountain in Bohemian Switzerland, the walk returns to the small village of Vysoká Lípa in the heart of Bohemian Switzerland.
• Day 7: Vysoká Lípa (Hohenleipa) – Hřensko – Bad Schandau (approx. 17 km)
  Leave Vysoká Lípa by bus towards Hřensko (the hotel provides a complimentary ticket) to visit what is arguably Bohemian Switzerland's most famous attraction, the Pravčice Gate. Alight at Hřensko, Pravčická brána (Pravčice Gate). Allow approximately one hour for the two-kilometre ascent to the Pravčice Gate. An admission fee is charged for access to the gate itself (payment on site). Upon reaching Europe's largest free-standing sandstone arch, you can enjoy refreshments in the restaurant and visit the many viewpoints, each offering new and impressive vistas across Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland. Descend via the same route used for the ascent and follow the path to Hřensko. In the border village of Hřensko (Herrnskretschen), take the ferry across the Elbe and walk to the 343-metre-high Wolfsberg, continuing via Reinhardtsdorf into the Krippenbach Valley and onwards to Bad Schandau.
• Day 8: Independent return journey from Bad Schandau