About 200 years ago, the position of “waterfall operator” still existed in Lichtenhain in the Kirnitzsch Valley. Whenever there was enough water in the reservoir and a sufficient number of onlookers had gathered, he would open the weir. The babbling of the Lichtenhain Stream would swell briefly into a roar amid the “oohs” and “aahs” of the audience. The Lichtenhain Waterfall is one of the few curiosities from the early days of tourism in Saxon Switzerland that has survived to this day.
The inn, which opened in 1853 right next to the waterfall, has also survived. The “Gasthof Lichtenhainer Wasserfall” is one of the culinary legends of Saxon Switzerland—and has been owned by the same family for more than five generations!
The rustic, almost nostalgic atmosphere of the wood-paneled dining rooms, decorated with antlers and hunting trophies—and, of course, featuring a cozy tiled stove—invites you to dream of the long and glorious history of tourism in the Kirnitzsch Valley.
A classic on the menu is rainbow trout from the inn’s own smoker, served with cranberry-horseradish sauce and boiled potatoes! And the waterfall, which still roars punctually every 30 minutes to this day—though now automatically.
The inn, which opened in 1853 right next to the waterfall, has also survived. The “Gasthof Lichtenhainer Wasserfall” is one of the culinary legends of Saxon Switzerland—and has been owned by the same family for more than five generations!
The rustic, almost nostalgic atmosphere of the wood-paneled dining rooms, decorated with antlers and hunting trophies—and, of course, featuring a cozy tiled stove—invites you to dream of the long and glorious history of tourism in the Kirnitzsch Valley.
A classic on the menu is rainbow trout from the inn’s own smoker, served with cranberry-horseradish sauce and boiled potatoes! And the waterfall, which still roars punctually every 30 minutes to this day—though now automatically.
Openings
- Daily 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (kitchen open until 8:00 p.m.)
Opening hours are subject to change between Christmas and New Year's. Kitchen opening hours
Seats
Seating (total inside): 190
Seating (terrace): 30
Cuisine types
German
Regional dishes
Eligibility
Suitable for any Weather
For Groups
for individual guests
Foreign Language
- German
Infrastructure
Bus Parking Lot
Bicycle Parking
Playground on Site
Car Parking Lot
Free WiFI
Accessibility / Location
Bus stop available
Accessibility
- Saxony Barrier-FreeThere is no designated accessible parking space; however, you can park in the spacious electric vehicle charging area across from the restaurant. Access is via a 5-cm threshold.
Accessible restroom: Door 80 cm wide; 90 x 67 cm space in front; 35 cm to the left and 39 cm to the right of the toilet; toilet height 48 cm. Fold-down grab bars are available on both sides.Entrance to the facility / paths within the facilityDoor width min. 70 cm
Entrance with max. one step or ramp
Directions & Parking facilities
- The Elbe Bridge in Bad Schandau is completely closed indefinitely. The next available crossing over the Elbe is in Pirna. For those traveling by public transit, there is an increased ferry service between Bad Schandau Nationalbahnhof and Krippen, as well as between Bad Schandau Elbkai.
Stop: Kirnitzschtal – Lichtenhainer Wasserfall
Timetable information: www.vvo-online.de
