Hiking with children on 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 about a package tour according to § 651a of the German Civil Code

• For organizational reasons, this hike 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 backpack for provisions and rain protection.
• Good basic fitness, sure-footedness, and a head for heights are required for this hiking trip.
• The complete overview of booked accommodations is listed on the travel confirmation/invoice and will be sent to the guest by the tour operator only after the travel booking with the documents.
• Communication during the trip is possible in the following languages: German
• The trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
• For German citizens, the current identification documents apply. All other persons should note the respective passport and visa deadlines. Your embassy will be happy to provide further information.
• Please also pay attention to the notes in the terms and conditions of the tour operator CORSO ...die reiseagentur
• The Tourism Association Saxon Switzerland is only an intermediary for this trip.

• Day 1: Individual Arrival in Bad Schandau
  You will arrive individually by train or car in Bad Schandau. Visit the National Park Center to set the mood for the hike and to get tips on experiencing the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The exhibitions on nature and culture, projects, and events provide an interesting and vivid portrayal of the concerns, tasks, and specialties of the Saxon Switzerland National Park region.
  Overnight in Bad Schandau
• Day 2: Circular Tour from/to Bad Schandau  (approx. 9 or 13 km)
  With the historical passenger elevator, you can quickly reach the Ostrau Plateau directly from Bad Schandau (with a guest card at a reduced fare). The Painter's Path leads you past the Falkenstein to the Great Schramm Gate and the impressive Schrammstein view, where you will enjoy a magnificent view over the Front and Rear Saxon Switzerland and all the way to Dresden. For the short day hike (approx. 9 km), follow the descent from the Schrammsteins to the Zeughausweg and continue through the Wet Ground to the Kirnitzschtal. If you prefer the slightly longer day stage (approx. 13 km), follow the Painter's Path signage further into the bizarre rocky landscape of the Affensteins and past the Sand Hole and the lower Affensteinweg into the Kirnitzschtal. With a historic tram, the Kirnitzschtalbahn, you conveniently return to Bad Schandau (included in the guest card mobility).
Overnight in Bad Schandau
• Day 3: Bad Schandau - Hohnstein  (approx. 11 km)
  To ensure that the hike from Bad Schandau to Hohnstein is also relaxed for children, a short minibus transfer of about 10 minutes is provided from Bad Schandau to the starting point. The transfer is already included in the travel price. You follow the Painter's Path through the wild and romantic Kohlichtgraben and via the Mühlweg to the picturesque village of Waitzdorf. In the heart of the village is the Waitzdorfer Inn with a beer garden and guest room. To ascend to the Brand, you must first cross the Deep Ground. Upon reaching the Brand viewpoint, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views. To reach Hohnstein, follow the Painter's Path past the Gautschgrotto to Hohnstein. The impressive Hohnstein Castle high above the Polenz Valley now houses a nature and history museum as well as the castle hotel. The town is also known for the Hohnstein hand puppets with carved wooden heads.
  Overnight in Hohnstein
• Day 4: Hohnstein - Spa Town Rathen  (approx. 9 km)
  The stage from Hohnstein to Rathen begins with the ascent through the narrow rock crevice in Wolfsschlucht. Once you reach Hockstein, a beautiful view of the canyon-like Polenz Valley opens up. Soon you will reach the small village of Rathewalde. Passing the Rathewalde Mill, the descent proceeds via the Amselgrund to the Amselloch and the Amselfall. Here, the water of Grünbach is dammed and falls over the sandstone rocks as a waterfall into the depth. From the Amselfall, follow the lively babbling Grünbach to the signpost pointing to the Schwedenlöcher. The varied path through the canyon-like gorge leads over stairs and bridges, through small caves and narrow rock crevices. At the exit of the Schwedenlöcher, an incredible view over the Raaber Kessel to the Bastei Bridge awaits you. In the distance, you will see the Lilienstein and the mountains of the Bohemian Switzerland on the horizon. Follow the Goose Path past the Bastei Cross to the famous Bastei View. From here, you gaze over the 190-meter-deep Elbe Valley and enjoy the unique panorama over the table mountains of Saxon Switzerland. The 76-meter-long Bastei Bridge takes you to the medieval rock fortress of Neurathen. The short and steep descent leads directly to the spa town of Rathen.
  Overnight in the spa town of Rathen
• Day 5: Spa Town Rathen - Königstein / Spa Town Rathen  (approx. 9 km)
  The day's stage initially takes you past Rauenstein to Thürmsdorf. Just before Thürmsdorf, the Painter's Path Chapel stands at the so-called Thiele Viewpoint with a panoramic view across the Elbe Valley to Lilienstein and Königstein. Only a few meters from Thürmsdorf Castle, all big and small sweet tooths can get their money's worth with a visit to the chocolate factory. After the refreshment, nothing stands in the way of besieging the Königstein Fortress. You should definitely plan the entire afternoon for this. There is a lot to discover behind the thick walls of the former fortress complex with its over fifty buildings and fortifications. In addition to the replica of Augustus the Strong's giant wine barrel, there is the deepest well in Saxony, over 150 meters. For children, interesting offerings, such as a special audio guide for exploration on Königstein Fortress, are available. Return trip with the S-Bahn to Rathen (ticket not included)
  Overnight in Rathen
• Day 6: Spa Town Rathen / Königstein - Spa Town Gohrisch  (approx. 8 km)
  In the morning, take the S-Bahn to Königstein (ticket not included). From Königstein, the Painter's Path leads to Pfaffendorf to the Quirl. At this table mountain is the largest cave in Saxon Switzerland, the Diebskeller. Upon reaching Pfaffenstein, follow the convenient ascent. On the plateau of the table mountain, covered with wild blueberries and heather, the narrow path leads over staircase systems and through rock crevices to the legendary "Barbarine". According to legend, this rock needle is a petrified virgin. From Pfaffenstein, a fantastic view over the "Realm of Stones" opens up. Two different paths are available for the descent from Pfaffenstein. The steep path with many steps and ladders goes through the Eye of the Needle. Those who want to avoid this can take the convenient path like the ascent and then the narrow hiking trail along the field left around Pfaffenstein. Prominent table mountains like the Papststein, the Gohrisch, or the Kleinhennersdorfer Stein shape the image of the Gohrisch community. Over Heideberg, you will soon reach the spa town of Gohrisch.
  Overnight in the spa town of Gohrisch
• Day 7: Spa Town Gohrisch - Bad Schandau (approx. 9 km)
  The hiking trail initially follows the Muselweg onto the Gohrisch and shortly thereafter onto the Papststein. Here you have the opportunity to stop at one of the most beautiful mountain inns in the region. After descending from Papststein, a brief detour from the route to the Lichterhöhle is worthwhile. The Painter's Path continues to Papstdorf and through Kleinhennersdorf to the Elbe at Krippen. The small town at the Krippenbach was a popular travel destination even 100 years ago with 32 summer apartments. Follow the Sundial Path and discover the twelve sundials in the town or linger at the Krippenbach, where you might be lucky enough to spot the rare dipper, kingfisher, or mountain wagtail. Upon reaching the Elbe bank, the view opens up over the Elbe and the silhouette of Bad Schandau. To the east, you see the mighty Schrammstein massif. You cross the Elbe side with the ferry and pass by the notable Ostrauer passenger elevator on the right bank.
  Overnight in Bad Schandau
• Day 8: Individual Departure from Bad Schandau