Wachbergbaude Saupsdorf

“This stately village … climbs up a very high mountain, the Wachberg, from which one has one of the most magnificent views,” wrote Wilhelm Leberecht Götzinger in 1812 in the first travel guide to Saxon Switzerland. Just under 30 years later, the first inn was built here. It’s still standing more than 170 years later! The Wachbergbaude is one of the most traditional mountain inns in the region—and one of the coziest.
 
The fire crackles softly in the fireplace, and the “Gipfelglüher,” a wonderfully berry-flavored mulled wine made from a secret house recipe, warms you right down to your toes, and from the plate wafts the aroma of hearty Wachberg aspic with fried potatoes and homemade remoulade. This is what a hiking break at the Wachbergbaude might feel like; it’s open in winter from Friday through Sunday.
 
The mountain inn’s location on the northeastern edge of the Hintere Sächsische Schweiz, just before the Bohemian border, makes it an insider’s tip. This is also the region itself. Anyone hiking from Sebnitz across the open rolling hills through Hertigswalde, Ottendorf, Saupsdorf, and Hinterhermsdorf will discover authentic village life, a varied mix of fields and forests—and, in winter, tranquility.
 
For guests who want to enjoy a nature-filled getaway here, off the beaten path, the Wachbergbaude offers a variety of lodging options: from comfortable family rooms to rustic hiking lodgings. A winter event highlight is the “Bergsilvester” with a three-course meal, music, dancing, and fireworks!