FAQ – Frequently asked questions about the Malerweg

Has the Malerweg become longer? Originally, the length of the Malerweg was stated as 112 kilometres. Today, it is considered to be just under 116.
The discrepancy is due to the potential for error in the various analogue and digital measurement methods. Ultimately, the length merely serves as a guide in any case. The average walking times shown on signposts provide more useful reference values.

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

It is particularly difficult to find accommodation for just one night during long weekends, public holidays and school holiday periods. These are peak season in Saxon Switzerland. The months from May to October are likewise extremely busy. 

From November until Easter, there is a good chance of booking accommodation at short notice, although capacity may be limited and some establishments close for the winter. You should therefore check in advance whether your preferred accommodation at the stage destination is open. 

Tip: As an alternative, we recommend staying in centrally located 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.
In principle, the Malerweg is a very exciting and adventurous trail with plenty to discover. However, tackling the elevation gain, which involves numerous ladders and steps, requires considerable physical effort. You should also be aware that not every steep drop or viewpoint in Saxon Switzerland has a safety railing.

Some families complete the Malerweg with their ten-year-old children. Children should be at least of school age. The individual stages can also be shortened slightly if necessary.

Carrying babies in a sling or carrier is also a personal decision and should be carefully considered and assessed. Maintaining a sure footing is more challenging with a baby in a carrier or sling.

The stamp card is particularly popular with children, as they can use it to obtain a certificate, regardless of how many stages they have completed.

Yes, you can also explore the Malerweg with your faithful four-legged companion. You can find the exact route, including information, diversions and GPX data, here.

Anyone travelling to Saxon Switzerland by car who would like to keep it safe for the duration of their hiking holiday can leave it in one of the covered long-stay car parks in Pirna.

Even in the age of digital hiking maps, we strongly recommend carrying a paper hiking map. Reception is not guaranteed in every part of Saxon Switzerland. Offline maps provided by hiking apps can help. A battery or power bank can also quickly run out of charge. However, a conventional hiking map ensures that you are always on the safe side. 

A highly practical option for Malerweg hikers is the “Malerweg Map Set”. Eight compact stage maps at a scale of 1:30,000 describe the route of each section, supplemented by photographs and additional information.

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

Different accommodation for every stage of the Malerweg? That is not necessary. In fact, one base is sufficient for the entire Malerweg adventure. The region's excellent public transport network allows you to start and finish every day's route by bus or train. If your holiday destination offers the mobile guest card, the transfers are even included for you.

Simply set off on your hike and leave your large luggage at reception – by the time you arrive at your next accommodation, your suitcase will already be there: what long-distance hikers dream of is a reality on the Malerweg! Here you can book luggage transfers all year round for yourself, your family or larger groups.

Our partners offer a complete, worry-free hiking package at an all-inclusive price. You do not need to worry about either accommodation or luggage transfers. Even if something goes wrong, your personal point of contact will be available locally. 

Yes, it is. The Malerweg is well signposted in both directions. However, many hiking descriptions follow the route in chronological order. If you walk "against the flow", you will encounter more hikers. If you spend two or more nights in centrally located accommodation, you can also tackle the Malerweg "back to front". You will find a corresponding description of the stages on our blog.

Yes, it is possible! There are several 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: Herberge auf dem Kulm (approx. 50 minutes away on foot) or the camping meadow at Hinterland Hostel

Stage 2: Entenfarm campsite

Stage 3: Ostrauer Mühle campsite

Stage 4: Camping Thorwaldblick Hinterhermsdorf

Stage 5: No campsite nearby; we recommend Burg Schöna near Schmilka

Stage 6: Caravan Camping Gohrisch, Heymannbaude

Stage 7: Herberge auf dem Kulm & camping meadow at Hinterland Hostel

Stage 8: Camping Pirna

Important note: Wild camping is not permitted and may incur substantial fines!

Wilderness adventurers should consider the Forststeig trail. It offers bivouac sites and trekking huts. This cross-border, multi-day hiking route boasts spectacular scenery.

Food and drink provision at the stage destinations is not always ideal. It is therefore highly advisable to stay with one of our "Hiker-friendly on the Malerweg" partners.
An overview of the available options can be found here: (updated: January 2026; no guarantee of completeness).

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

Stage 2:
Hohnstein: Hohnstein has Cosis Laden & Bistro, which also serves as a small general store. Apart from this, there is neither a supermarket nor a bakery here. A provisions vending machine (food vending machine) is available at the market square 24 hours a day.

Stage 3:
Altendorf: Altendorf itself has a small general store at Gasthof & Pension Heiterer Blick. Supermarkets, bakeries and other shops can once again be found in Bad Schandau, approximately 4 km away.

Stage 4:
Neumannmühle: There is neither a supermarket nor a bakery in the immediate vicinity. The nearest shops are in Bad Schandau; alternatively, Hinterhermsdorf has Manufaktur & Regionallädchen: Kathleens Fruchtaufstriche as well as a small village shop.

Stage 5:
Schmilka: There is a small organic wood-fired bakery here that is open daily. There is no supermarket in the immediate vicinity. The nearest shops are in Bad Schandau. A provisions vending machine (food vending machine) is available opposite Café Richter 24 hours a day.

Stage 6:
Gohrisch: There is a provisions vending machine (food vending machine) as well as a bakery here.

Stage 7:
Weißig: There are bakeries nearby in Thürmsdorf and Struppen. The next option is in Königstein: there is a provisions vending machine (food vending machine) at the Königstein Fortress car park or a supermarket in the town of Königstein.

Stage 8:
Pirna: There are ample shops and supermarkets in the town centre.

If you wish to refill your water bottle, you may do so at any of the "Hiker-friendly on the Malerweg" partner establishments. Local residents are also generally very helpful and will be happy to refill your bottle if you ask them politely.

Is a hiking sign damaged or missing? Are trail markers faded, or have trees recently been felled with no marker in sight? It is best to report this by email to malerweg@saechsische-schweiz.de
It is essential that you provide us with the exact location. If available, please also include a photograph. Alternatively, location coordinates, a highly detailed description or a marker on a hiking map will suffice. Thank you very much for your support!

No. The Malerweg is exclusively a hiking trail and cannot be explored by bicycle or e-bike. Nor are there any stages along which cycling is possible. You can find excellent cycling tour suggestions in the national park region here.