Malerweg Stage 2
A touch of Bella Italia wafts over the marketplace of Stadt Wehlen. Here, stage two begins its leisurely start.
Route Description
First, the trail leads upstream the Elbe River, then up the Schwarzbergweg to the rest area "Steinerner Tisch." The table-bench combination made of local rock is surprisingly old. Elector Augustus the Strong (1670-1733) personally had this picnic spot constructed for a hunting excursion!
The Malerweg now follows the Fremdenweg to the famous Bastei. Via the Basteiweg with its several steps, you descend to the spa town Rathen. A detour into the town is recommended for a stop at one of the numerous restaurants.
Back in the Amselgrund, the trail passes the entrance to the Felsenbühne Rathen, along the Amselsee, the Amselfall, and continues to Rathewalde. After the village, the path runs parallel to the road towards the Hockstein parking lot. From Hockstein, the stage destination Hohnstein can already be seen on the other side of the Polenz Valley.
You reach it by descending the narrow Wolfsschlucht steps, along a section of the Polenz, and ascending through the wildly romantic Schindergraben. Highlights in Hohnstein include the traditional Hohnsteiner Kasper, Max Jacob Theater, and the castle.
Stage 2 in Numbers
10.9 km
The second stage of the Malerweg is 10.9 kilometers long. Even though it is shorter than the first one, more time is required due to the difference in altitude.
4:45 Hours
The 2nd stage of the Malerweg takes an average of four and three-quarter hours. This does not include detours or breaks.
499 m
UPHILL. The second stage is classified as moderately difficult. This means it is easily achievable if you occasionally hike and possess average fitness. There are steps and iron staircases on this section.
345 m
DOWNHILL. The lowest point on this stage is reached in Amselgrund. Later, it descends again into the Polenz Valley before ascending to Hohnstein.
Good to know
Connection path to the Painter's Way from Stolpen to Hocksteinschänke (7 km | 2.5 h)
Stolpen (green line) – Schlossberg – Langenwolmsdorf – Viebigt – Luschdorfhof – Wild Game Enclosure – Heeselicht – Hohburkersdorf – Hocksteinschänke (blue line) – Painter's Way.
from the S-Bahn stop Kurort Rathen to the Rock Stage (1.5 km | 20 min)
Oberrathen – Ferry – Zum Grünbach – Amselgrund – Painter's Way
Getting to the 2nd stage of the Malerweg
S-Bahn S1 stop: Stadt Wehlen
Bus lines 238, 239 (weekends, season) stop: Stadt Wehlen Karl-Marx-Platz
Departure from the 2nd stage of the Malerweg
Bus lines 236, 237 stop: Hohnstein, Polenztal
Bus lines 236, 237, 254 and 264 stop: Hohnstein, Eiche
Good to know: The guest card mobil includes the use of buses, trains, and ferries in the VVO tariff zones as well as numerous benefits for leisure experiences, which you receive as an overnight guest in most places in the region.
More information
Tourist Information Wehlen
Market 7
01829 Stadt Wehlen
Tel.: +49 35024 70414
Tourist Information Kurort Rathen
Elbweg 8
01824 Kurort Rathen
Tel.:+49 35024 70422
Tourist Information Hohnstein
Rathausstr. 9
01848 Hohnstein
Tel.: +49 35975 86813
You can bypass the steep and narrow descent over iron stairs into the Wolfsschlucht via the marked nature trail to Hohnstein in the Polenztal.
Atelierhaus Anne Kern
Many renowned painters have already worked in and around Stadt Wehlen. A prominent representative of the current generation of artists residing here is Anne Kern.
She creates and displays her sandstone-inspired visual worlds in the Atelierhaus "Schöne Aussicht 14" in Stadt Wehlen. In addition to individual visits by appointment, she also offers painting and drawing courses in the landscape.
Which famous artists of the past were traveling on the 2nd stage of the Malerweg and which collectible postcard motif you can take with you for free can be found here:
Yes, it is possible! There are various campsites along the Malerweg. They are not always located directly on the Malerweg. We recommend the following:
Stage 2:
Start of the stage: Hostel on the Kulm (approx. 50 minutes on foot) or Tent meadow at the Hinterland Hostel (approx. 1 hour on foot or S-Bahn S1 from Stadt Wehlen to Kurort Rathen)
End of the stage: Campsite Entenfarm (2.5 km | approx. 50 minutes on foot)
Editorial Tips
Recommendations on the 2nd Stage of the Malerweg
Rathen Open-Air Stage
In the heart of the Saxon Switzerland National Park lies the Felsenbühne Rathen. Surrounded by wild beauty and a unique rocky landscape, a one-of-a-kind theater experience awaits you – the Felsenbühne Festival. Enjoy impressive highlights from musicals, opera, and theater against a romantic and wild backdrop. Experience the fascination of the Felsenbühne Rathen as the finale of your Malerweg adventure!
(Detour distance: 0.5 km)
Box Office: kasse@landesbuehnen-sachsen.de | +49 351 – 89 54321
3D Journey to Felsenbühne Rathen: www.landesbuehnen-sachsen.de/felsenbuehne-rathen/#3DReise
Felsenbühne Rathen
Amselgrund
01824 Kurort Rathen
Forest Restaurant and Mountain Lodge "Steinerner Tisch"
The history of the "Stone Table" dates back to 1710. At that time, Elector Frederick Augustus I of Saxony laid the foundation for a forest economy. Initially, simple accommodations were built for hunting parties, before the first permanent buildings—including a wooden house and a refreshment hall—were constructed at the end of the 18th century. In 1925, a substantial new building followed, whose foundation walls remain to this day.
After World War II, the property became the possession of a Dresden family and was later operated by the trade organization of the GDR. Over the decades, the inn underwent several expansions and renovations.
Since 2017, nature and mountain sports enthusiasts from Dresden have been dedicated to renovating the historic inn and breathing new life into it.
Forest Inn and Mountain Economy Stone Table
Alte Wehlstraße 39
01847 Lohmen
Phone: +49 175 1100186
Accommodation & Dining on the Malerweg
Hosts on this page bear the designation "Hiker-friendly on the Malerweg". They are geared towards Malerweg hikers. All Malerweg partner accommodations for the 2nd stage of the Malerweg follow.
Detours and Highlights on the Malerweg
Between the magnificent views of the Elbe in Stadt Wehlen, the Bastei with its famous rock bridge, and Hohnstein Castle, numerous detours and highlights await, perfectly combining culture and natural pleasure.