FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about the Malerweg

Has the Malerweg extended? Originally, the length of the Malerweg was specified as 112 kilometres. Today it is referred to as almost 116.
The cause of the discrepancy is the sources of error in the various analogue and digital recording methods. Ultimately, the length only serves as a guideline. The more useful benchmarks are the average walking times indicated on the signposts.

Yes! We strongly recommend booking/reserving accommodation in advance. 

Particularly on long weekends, public holidays, and during holiday periods, it is difficult to find accommodation for just one night. This is absolute peak season in the Saxon Switzerland. Similarly, the months from May to October are extremely busy. 

From November to Easter, you have a good chance of booking a place at short notice, but capacities may be limited and some accommodations go into hibernation. Therefore, you should check in advance whether your desired accommodation at your destination is open. 

Tip: As an alternative, we recommend staying in central accommodation all year round. Find out more here.

This question is not so easy to answer. Ultimately, it depends on how fit the children are.
Fundamentally, the Painter's Path is a very exciting and adventurous route, with much to discover. However, the elevation gained, which involves numerous ladders and steps, is an exertion. Moreover, you should be aware that in the Saxon Switzerland not every steep slope or viewpoint has a handrail.

There are families who tackle the Painter's Path with their ten-year-old children. At least school age should be the requirement. If necessary, the stages can also be shortened somewhat.

Carrying babies in a sling or a carrier is an individual decision and should be carefully considered and weighed up. Sure-footedness is more challenging with a baby in a carrier or sling.

Particularly popular with children is the stamp card, with which they can obtain a certificate, regardless of how many stages they have completed.

Yes, you can explore the Malerweg with your faithful four-legged friend. The exact route, including tips, detours, and GPX data, can be found here.

If you're travelling to the Saxon Switzerland by car and wish to keep it safely stored during your hiking holiday, you can leave it in covered long-term parking facilities in Pirna.

Even in the era of digital hiking maps, we strongly advise having a paper map on hand. Reception is not guaranteed in all corners of Saxon Switzerland. Offline maps from hiking apps can provide a solution. Batteries or powerbanks can quickly run out of charge. However, with an analogue hiking map, you are on the safe side. 

A very practical option for Malerweg hikers is the "Malerweg Map Set". Eight compact stage maps on a scale of 1:30,000 describe the course of the sections, supplemented with photos and additional information.

Tip: The free TRACK App Malerweg. Here you will receive detailed insights into nature, culture, and history along the first five stages of the Malerweg, including a digital map. Download here!
 

A different accommodation for each stage of the Malerweg? That's not necessary. In fact, one base camp suffices for the entire Malerweg adventure. The excellent public transport in the region allows you to start or end all daily routes by bus and train. If your holiday location has the 'Gästekarte mobil', the transfer is even included for you.

Simply start hiking, leave the large luggage at the reception – and when you arrive at the next accommodation, your suitcase is already there: What stage hikers dream of is a reality on the Malerweg! Here you can book luggage transfer all year round for yourself, your family, or larger groups.

Our partners offer you the all-inclusive hiking package as a package deal. You don't have to worry about accommodation or luggage transfer. Even if something goes wrong, you have your personal contact directly on site. 

Yes, that's possible. The Malerweg trail is well signposted in both directions. However, many hiking descriptions proceed chronologically. If you walk "against the flow," you will encounter more hikers. If you spend two or more nights in central accommodation, you can also "reverse" the Malerweg stages. You will find a corresponding description of the stages on our blog.

Yes, that is possible! There are various campsites along the Malerweg. They are not always located directly on the Malerweg. We recommend the following:

Stage 1: Start: Camping Pirna and at the stage destination: Hostel on the Kulm (approx. 50 minutes on foot) or tent meadow at the Hinterland Hostel

Stage 2: Camping site Entenfarm

Stage 3: Campsite Ostrauer Mühle

Stage 4: Camping Thorwaldblick Hinterhermsdorf

Stage 5: No campsite nearby, we recommend Burg Schöna at Schmilka

Stage 6: Caravan Camping Gohrisch, Heymannbaude

Stage 7: Hostel on the Kulm & tent meadow at the Hinterland Hostel

Stage 8: Camping Pirna

Important notice: Wild camping is not permitted and may result in heavy fines!

Wilderness adventurers should take a look at the Forststeig. Here, there are bivouac sites and trekking huts. Scenically, the cross-border multi-day hiking tour is spectacular.

Food and drink supplies at the stage destinations are not always optimal. Therefore, it is highly recommended to stay overnight at one of our "Hiking Friendly on the Malerweg" partners.
An overview of options can be found here: (updated: January 2026, no guarantee of completeness).

Stage 1:
Stadt Wehlen: At the tourist information in Wehlen, there is a food vending machine from Milchhof Fiedler with products (milk, cheese, stews, eggs), and there is also a small bakery.
On the other side of the Elbe, near the Stadt Wehlen (Pötzscha) train station, there is a provisions vending machine.

Stage 2:
Hohnstein: In Hohnstein, there is Cosis Laden & Bistro – this is also a kind of general store. Other than that, there is no supermarket and no bakery here. A provisions vending machine is available in the market 24 hours a day.

Stage 3:
Altendorf: In Altendorf itself, there is a small general store in the Gasthof & Pension Heiterer Blick. In Bad Schandau, about 4 km away, there are supermarkets, bakeries, etc.

Stage 4:
Neumannmühle: There is no supermarket or bakery in the vicinity here. The nearest supply options are in Bad Schandau, or in Hinterhermsdorf, there is the Manufaktur & Regionallädchen: Kathleen's fruit spreads, as well as a small village shop.

Stage 5:
Schmilka: There is a small wood-fired organic bakery here, which is open daily. A supermarket is not in the immediate vicinity. The nearest supply options are in Bad Schandau. A provisions vending machine is available 24 hours opposite Café Richter.

Stage 6:
Gohrisch: There is a provisions vending machine and a bakery here.

Stage 7:
Weißig: There is no supermarket and no bakery in the vicinity here. The next option is in Königstein: Here there is a provisions vending machine at the Fortress Königstein car park or a supermarket in the town of Königstein.

Stage 8:
Pirna: There are centrally plenty of supply options and supermarkets here.

If you want to refill your water bottle, you have the opportunity at all "Hiking Friendly on the Malerweg" partners. Additionally, locals are generally very helpful and will be happy to refill the bottle if you ask them kindly.

A hiking sign is damaged or missing? Markings have faded or trees have been freshly felled and there are no markings in sight? Please report this preferably via email to malerweg@saechsische-schweiz.de
It is very important that you provide us with the exact location. If available, a picture would be appreciated. However, location coordinates or a very precise description or marking on a hiking map will suffice. Thank you for your support!

No. The Painter's Way is exclusively a hiking trail and cannot be explored by bicycle/e-bike. There are also no stages where cycling is possible. Great cycling tour suggestions in the national park region can be found here.