Painter's Way Stage 3
The "Balcony of Saxon Switzerland" with its famous panoramic view, an idyllic mountain village, and a picture-book valley are the highlights of stage three of the Painters' Path.
Route description
The starting point is the castle town of Hohnstein. Initially, the path descends into the Bear Garden. Of the former zoological garden, only photogenic wall remnants remain.
The forest hiking trail continues via the Halbenweg and Räumichtweg towards the Brandaussicht. The view from the Brand massif over the Polenz Valley is among the most famous in the region. From the Brand, it descends 800 steps into the Tiefen Grund and after 300 meters on the road, it ascends the Dorfgrund on the right, back up into the peaceful Waitzdorf.
On the Waitzdorf Circular Trail, you follow the Mühlweg and finally reach the wild and romantic Kohlichtgraben. Continuing along the brook, you arrive at the small village of Kohlmühle. Interesting: The monumental clinker building in the village is an abandoned linoleum factory. From Kohlmühle, the Painters' Way continues in the Sebnitz Valley to the Schwarzbach estuary and then via the Mühlweg to the stage destination Altendorf.
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View from the Brandbaude -
Branda Viewpoint -
Fire Stages -
Path along the Malerweg -
Galloway cattle in Waitzdorf -
National Park Core Zone Sign -
Half-timbered house in Waitzdorf -
Waitzdorf Viewpoint -
Hiking trail on the Malerweg -
Bench at the Waitzdorf Viewpoint -
Level crossing in Kohlmühle -
Former linoleum factory in Kohlmühle -
View from the Painters' Way
Stage 3 in numbers
14 km
The third stage of the Painter's Way is 14 kilometers long and characterized by two major altitude differences.
5:30 hours
The third stage of the Painter's Path requires five and a half hours at an average hiking pace. Detours and breaks are not included.
449 hm
UPHILL. The third stage is moderately difficult and therefore easily manageable if you hike occasionally and have average physical condition.
440 hm
DOWNHILL. The lowest point is reached leisurely in the Sebnitz Valley. The most strenuous parts are the steps downhill from Brand and uphill on the other side towards Waitzdorf.
Good to know
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Connecting path to the Painter's Path from Neustadt to the Sebnitz Valley on the "Götzingerweg" (11.5 km | 4 h)
Neustadt, Promenadenweg – Kneipp water facility (red mark), past Götzinger Höhe – city forest, continue to the yellow mark junction – Krumhermsdorf – Neuhäuser – Lohsdorf – Schwarzbach valley – Sebnitz valley – Painter's Path.
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Arrival at the 3rd stage of the Painter's Way
Bus lines 236, 237 Stop: Hohnstein, Polenztal
Bus lines 236, 237, 254 (seasonal), 264 Stop: Hohnstein, EicheDeparture from the 3rd stage of the Painter's Way
U28 National Park Railway, Stop: Goßdorf-Kohlmühle Station
Bus line 260 Stop: Altendorf ErbgerichtGood to know: The guest card mobile, which includes the use of buses, trains, and ferries in the VVO tariff zones as well as numerous benefits for leisure activities, is available to overnight guests in most places in the region.
More information -
Tourist Information Hohnstein
Rathausstr. 9
01848 HohnsteinTel.: +49 35975 86813
Tourist Information Altendorf
Sebnitzer Str. 2
01855 Sebnitz OT AltendorfTel.: +49 35022 42774
Tourist Service Bad Schandau
in Hotel ELBRESIDENZ
Markt 1-11
01814 Bad SchandauTel.: +49 35022 90050
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This stage should be easily walkable with a dog.
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Which renowned artists of the past traveled on the 3rd stage of the Painter's Path and which postcard collection images you can take with you for free can be found here:
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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 3:
Stage start: Entenfarm campsite (2.5 km | about 50 minutes on foot)
Stage destination: Ostrauer Mühle campsite (1.7 km | about 45 minutes on foot)
Editorial Tips
Recommendations on the 3rd Stage of the Painter's Way
“Blockhaus Brand” National Park Information Centre
The historic log cabin at the fascinating Brand viewpoint houses an information centre for Saxon Switzerland National Park. A relief model provides a clear overview of the rugged sandstone landscape. The model, created by the renowned artist Irmgard Uhlig, was restored by the National Park Administration several years ago.
Facts about the local flora and fauna will help you explore the landscape of the national park region with greater awareness. It is well worth stepping inside.
“Blockhaus Brand” National Park Information Centre
Brandstraße 27
01848 Hohnstein
May to September, 10:00–18:00
April and October, 10:00–16:00
Admission free
Saxon Switzerland National Park Centre
The Saxon Switzerland National Park Centre in Bad Schandau is the visitor centre for the protected area. How did this mysterious rocky landscape form? Which rare animals live here? How does the forest habitat function? The museum provides vivid, family-friendly insights into these questions through numerous models. A highlight is a multi-vision show in the cinema featuring fantastic footage from the national park region.
(Detour distance: 2.5 km | 1 hr)
Dresdner Straße 2 B
01814 Bad Schandau
Telephone: +49 35022 50240
April to October: Mon–Sun, 9 am–5 pm
November to March: Tue–Sun, 9 am–5 pm
Accommodation & dining along the Malerweg
Here you will find all accommodation providers along these stages that have been awarded the »Hiker-friendly on the Malerweg« quality seal. They cater to Malerweg hikers and accept guests for just one overnight stay.
Take a look at our hiking without luggage packages if you do not want to worry about anything and would prefer the tour operator to arrange your accommodation and transport your luggage between the stages.
Detours and Highlights on the Painter's Way
Whether it's the wild romantic Gautschgrotte, the impressive Brandaussicht, or the Waitzdorfer Views. This stage of the Painter's Way shines with vast views over the rugged rocky landscape and is considered a highlight.