Complete circuit along the Painters' Way

Any applicable visitor's taxes are NOT included in the price of the trip and must be paid locally.

Please refer to the form providing information to travellers on package holidays pursuant to Section 651a of the German Civil Code

• 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 provided on the travel confirmation/invoice and will only be sent to the guest by post with the travel documents 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 require valid identity documents. All other travellers should observe the applicable 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 Augustus Tours.
• The Saxon Switzerland Tourism Association acts solely as an intermediary for this trip.

• Day 1: Independent travel to Dresden
  We recommend taking a tour of Dresden and exploring the beautiful ‘Florence on the Elbe’. Overnight stay in Dresden
• Day 2: Dresden/ Pirna-Liebethal | Wehlen / Kurort Rathen  (approx. 12 / 16 km, approx. 4/ 5.5 hrs)
  In the morning, take the S-Bahn and bus to the starting point in Pirna-Liebethal. You will hike through three wildly romantic valleys. From there, it is not far to the famous Bastei Bridge. Your destination for the day is Wehlen or Kurort Rathen (subject to availability).
• Day 3: Wehlen/ Kurort Rathen | Hohnstein  (approx. 11/ 7 km, approx. 4/ 2.5 hrs)
  In the morning, you will reach Saxon Switzerland’s most famous viewpoint – the Bastei Bridge. You will then descend into the Amselgrund valley and head towards the day’s second highlight – the Hockstein. The Wolfsschlucht gorge leads you into the Polenztal valley, below the town of Hohnstein and its castle.
• Day 4: Hohnstein | Altendorf/Kirnitzschtal/ Bad Schandau  (approx. 15 km, approx. 6 hrs)
  Passing through the Schindergraben gorge, you will walk past the Gautschgrotte grotto. Today’s highlight is the Brandaussicht viewpoint. Continue down 800 steps into the Tiefen Grund valley. The route then takes you via Waitzdorf to Altendorf or the Kirnitzschtal valley. Subject to availability, you will stay overnight in Altendorf, the Kirnitzschtal valley or Bad Schandau.
• Day 5: Altendorf/Kirnitzschtal | Schrammsteine | Neumannmühle  (approx. 18 km. approx. 6.5 hrs)
  A direct uphill route takes you to the Schrammstein viewpoint and then along the ridge trail through the Schrammstein massif. Passing the Grosser Dom and Kleiner Dom rock formations, you will reach the Affenstein trail. This leads to the Lichtenhain Waterfall. Via the Kuhstall rock arch, you will reach today’s destination, the historic Neumannmühle mill. Return by bus to the Kirnitzschtal valley or Bad Schandau.
• Day 6: Neumannmühle |  Schmilka/Krippen area   (approx. 13.5 km, approx. 5.5 hrs)
  In the morning, take the bus to the starting point of today’s stage. You will hike through the Hintere Sächsische Schweiz region to the Zeughaus. Shortly afterwards, the breathtaking Goldstein viewpoint awaits you. In Schmilka, take the ferry across the Elbe and travel by S-Bahn to your accommodation in Krippen, or continue hiking along the Malerweg via Schöna and Reinhardtsdorf to Krippen.
• Day 7: Schmilka/Krippen area | Kurort Gohrisch  (approx. 17 km, approx. 6.5 hrs)
  Take the S-Bahn to Schmilka, where yesterday’s hike ended, or continue directly from Krippen along the Malerweg. Today’s itinerary includes climbing the Papststein and Gohrisch table mountains.
• Day 8: Hike from Kurort Gohrisch | Königstein/ Weissig  (approx. 9/ 18 km, approx. 4/ 6 hrs)
  This short hike along the Malerweg takes you over the Pfaffenstein, past the Diebskeller cave and on to your hotel in Königstein. This leaves ample time to visit the fortress. Overnight stay in Königstein or Rathen.
• Day 9: Königstein/ Kurort Rathen |  Dresden  (approx. 22.5/ 16 km, 7.5/ 5.5 hrs)
  Your final hiking stage offers breathtaking panoramic views as it leads across open fields along the Obere Kirchleite. Continue along the ridge of the Rauenstein massif towards Pirna. Take the S-Bahn to Dresden.
  Overnight stay in Dresden (tickets included).
  If the route is too long for you, take the S-Bahn from Stadt Wehlen.
• Day 10: Independent return journey