Landscape & Animals
The Malerweg in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains traverses an ancient erosional landscape. What was once the sea floor during the Cretaceous Period is now a diverse rocky world with mountains reaching heights up to 723 meters.
The Elbe Sandstone Mountains
So beautiful, so wild, so mysterious
Seasoned men who fall to their knees in amazement at viewpoints, eloquent female writers who are left speechless before panoramas: 200 years ago, one had to expect this in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. After all, it was the Romantic period, the era of great emotions, when the spectacular rock formations southeast of Dresden were discovered for the first time as a hiking destination.
Geologists have since uncovered the secret of this natural wonder's formation. A 600-meter-thick sandstone slab formed over several million years on the sea floor, was uplifted, shattered, and eroded. What remained is a region as mystical as a fantasy movie set: with bizarre rocks, mysterious gorges, wild and romantic valleys—and table mountains! Nowhere else in the world are there more examples of these curious landforms so densely and numerously gathered than here.
All of this makes hiking in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains so exhilarating. Just now the path led through dense forest, soon it traverses vast lands, then ascends high up to barren rock peaks, only to wind deep down into an enchanted valley where a crystal-clear stream murmurs.
This is where the great nature experience resides. The Saxon Switzerland National Park and the Bohemian Switzerland National Park protect a valuable retreat for rare animal and plant species. Together with the surrounding conservation area, they create a hiking paradise of more than 700 square kilometers!
The Saxon Switzerland National Park
What would the world be without national parks? In them, humanity preserves its most valuable natural landscapes for future generations. "Let nature be nature" is the maxim of the global national park movement. This means: Humans limit themselves to the role of amazed and learning observers. National parks are not only fascinating retreats for rare animal and plant species. They are also idyllic realms of relaxation for their visitors.
The same goes for the Saxon Switzerland National Park. It is the only non-alpine rock national park in Germany – and with about 94 square kilometers, one of the smallest in the federal republic. The protected area consists of two right Elbe parts. The smaller part encompasses the spa town of Rathen. The main part extends from Bad Schandau eastwards to the Czech border, where the Bohemian Switzerland National Park adjoins.
National parks demand mindfulness. Anyone who passes the Saxon Switzerland National Park sign should be aware that they are now entering a particularly sensitive nature reserve.
The following applies here:
- Do not leave trails,
- no smoking
- fires only at designated fire places
- free overnight stays/boofing is not allowed for hikers,
- do not take plants or animals
- park only in parking spaces
- no flying of drones
- avoid noise
- cycling only on designated bike routes
- keep dogs on a leash.
Observe Core Zone in the National Park
"Core zone" is written on some signs in the Saxon Switzerland National Park. This indicates to visitors particularly protected natural areas. A quarter of the total area of the national park is designated as a core zone.
Hiking is allowed in these green paradises on all marked trails. Additionally, overnight stays in the open air are forbidden here.
The core zone is entirely within the much larger "quiet area." Here, the forest can already develop largely independently. Thus, a piece of genuine Central European wilderness exists or is emerging.
Nature in Transition
Bare branches, brown needles, fallen trees. In some areas of the national park region, the bark beetle is particularly active at present. Here, natural forest development is taking place: spruce plantations are dying off; healthy mixed forests are emerging.
Until this process is complete, special precautionary measures apply due to the risk of falling trees: Avoid the forest during strong winds, heavy rain, or snow loads. Do not stand under broken branches or tree tops. You enter the forest at your own risk.
Note: certain trail sections may become impassable at short notice due to fallen trees (bark beetle damage). Please check the homepage of the National Park and Forestry Administration or inquire at your local accommodation about the current status before your trip.
National Park Center Bad Schandau
The National Park Center Saxon Switzerland in Bad Schandau is the visitor center of the protected area.
How did the enigmatic rocky landscape come into being? Which rare animals inhabit this area? How does the forest ecosystem function? The interactive exhibition provides informative and family-friendly insights into these questions with numerous models.
The highlight is a multimedia show in the cinema hall featuring fantastic images from the national park region.
Fascinating Wildlife
In the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, rare, well-known, but also foreign species are at home. They enjoy the tranquility and seclusion, high rock walls, and countless hiding places. Psst... hiking can thus lead to special encounters.
Species Diversity in the National Park Region
With a bit of luck, hikers in the Saxon Switzerland National Park region can hear it: the call of the fastest animal on earth, the "cheetah of the skies." We are talking about the peregrine falcon. The fact that its long-drawn "gääähg-gääähg-gääähg" is once again part of the natural soundscape of Saxon Switzerland is the result of a Herculean effort—and ongoing care.
Fifty years ago, the species was considered extinct in Saxon Switzerland. It was only a complex reintroduction project by the national park administration in the 1990s that brought it back. Today, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is one of the most densely populated peregrine falcon habitats in Europe!
Other rare animals that you might spot with luck and a bit of patience include water ouzels, fire salamanders, black storks, and colorful kingfishers.
Tip: Certified national park guides offer discovery tours almost daily.