FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about the Painters' Path

Has the Painters' Path grown? Initially, the length of the Painters' Path was indicated as 112 kilometers. Today it is said to be almost 116.
The cause of the difference is the sources of error in the various analog and digital recording methods. Ultimately, the length serves only for orientation. The more useful references are the average walking times indicated on signposts.

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

Especially on extended weekends, holidays, and during vacation periods, it is difficult to find a place to stay for just one night. That is the absolute peak season in Saxon Switzerland. Additionally, the months from May to October are extremely popular. 

From November to Easter, you have a good chance of booking a place on short notice, but the capacity can be limited, and some accommodations may be on winter break. Therefore, you should check in advance whether the desired accommodation at your stage destination is open. 

Tip: As an alternative, we recommend staying in a central accommodation throughout the year. Learn more here.

This question is not so easy to answer. Ultimately, it depends on how fit the children are.
In general, the Painter's Way is a very exciting and adventurous path with much to discover. However, the elevation gains, which must be overcome with numerous ladders and steps, are an exertion. Additionally, you should be aware that in Saxon Switzerland, not every steep slope or viewpoint has a railing.

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

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

The stamp card is particularly popular with children, allowing them to collect a certificate, regardless of how many stages they have completed.

Yes, you can explore the Malerweg with your loyal four-legged friend. You can find the exact route including notes, detours, and the GPX data here.

Those traveling to the Saxon Switzerland by car who wish to keep it safely stored during their hiking vacation can park it in covered long-term parking lots in Pirna.

Even in times of digital hiking maps, we strongly advise having a paper hiking map with you. Not all areas of the Saxon Switzerland ensure reception. Offline maps from hiking apps can help. A battery or power bank can also run out quickly. However, with the analog hiking map, you are on the safe side. 

A very practical option for Malerweg hikers is the “Malerweg Map Set.” Eight compact stage maps at 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 get detailed insights into nature, culture, and history along the first five stages of the Malerweg, including a digital map. Download here!
 

Does each stage of the Painter's Way require a different neighborhood? That doesn't have to be the case. A single base camp is actually sufficient for the entire Painter's Way adventure. The excellent public transportation available in the region makes it possible to start or end all daily routes by bus and train. If your vacation location includes the mobile guest card, the transfer is even included for you.

Just start hiking, leave the large luggage at the reception—and when you arrive at the next accommodation, your suitcase is already there: What long-distance hikers dream of is reality on the Painter's Way! Here, you can book the luggage transfer for yourself, your family, or larger groups year-round.

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

Yes, it is possible. The Painter's Path is well signposted in both directions. However, many hiking descriptions follow a chronological order. If you walk "against the current," you will encounter more hikers. If you spend two or more nights in a central accommodation, you can also "roll up" the Painter's Path from the back. You will find a corresponding description of the stages in our blog.

Yes, it is possible! Along the Malerweg, there are various campsites. They are not always located exactly on the Malerweg. We recommend the following:

1st Stage: Start: Camping Pirna and at the stage destination: Lodging on Kulm (about 50 min walk away) or tent meadow at Hinterland Hostel

2nd Stage: Camping site Entenfarm

3rd Stage: Ostrauer Mühle campsite

4th Stage: Camping Thorwaldblick Hinterhermsdorf

5th Stage: no campsite nearby, we recommend Burg Schöna near Schmilka

6th Stage: Caravan Camping Gohrisch, Heymannbaude

7th Stage: Lodging on Kulm & tent meadow at Hinterland Hostel

8th Stage: Camping Pirna

Important Note: Wild camping is not allowed and can result in heavy fines!

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

The supply of food and drinks at the stage destinations is not always optimal. Therefore, it is highly recommended to stay with one of our "Hiking-Friendly on the Painter's Way" 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 provision vending machine.

Stage 2:
Hohnstein: In Hohnstein, there is Cosi's Store & Bistro – it's also like a small general store. Otherwise, there is no supermarket or bakery here. A provision vending machine (food vending machine) is available at the market 24 hours a day.

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

Stage 4:
Neumannmühle: There is no supermarket or bakery in the immediate vicinity here. The next supply options are in Bad Schandau or in Hinterhermsdorf where there is the Manufactory & Regional Store: Kathleen's Fruit Spreads, as well as a small village shop.

Stage 5:
Schmilka: Here, there is a small wood-fired organic bakery that is open daily. A supermarket is not in the immediate vicinity. The nearest supply options are in Bad Schandau. A provision vending machine (food vending machine) is available 24 hours opposite Café Richter.

Stage 6:
Gohrisch: There is a provision vending machine (food vending machine) and a bakery here.

Stage 7:
Weißig: There is no supermarket or bakery in the immediate vicinity here. The nearest option is in Königstein: There is a provision vending machine (food vending machine) at the parking garage of the Königstein Fortress or in the town of Königstein, a supermarket.

Stage 8:
Pirna: There are ample supply options and supermarkets centrally located here.

If you wish to refill your water bottle, this option is available with all “Hiking-Friendly on the Painter's Way” partners. Additionally, the locals are usually very helpful and will be happy to refill the bottle if you politely ask them.

A hiking sign is damaged or missing? Markings are faded or trees have recently been felled with 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 is welcome. Location coordinates or a very precise description or marking on a hiking map will suffice. Thank you very much for your support!

No. The Painter's Path is exclusively a hiking trail and cannot be explored by bicycle/e-bike. There are also no stages where cycling along is possible. You can find great cycling tour suggestions in the National Park region here.