© Philipp Zieger

Hiking & hiking trails in Germany

Spectacular Elbe Sandstone Mountains

Approximately 1,200 kilometers of the most beautiful hiking trails in the heart of Germany lead through lush green forests and mystical valleys, over airy heights and past bizarre rock formations to ever new, breathtaking panoramas. What makes hiking in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains a profound and unforgettable experience is the sheer natural diversity of the region. In a very confined space, the most diverse landforms meet: rocks, table mountains, plains, gorges, and valleys. They all entice you on a journey through impressive remnants of primal nature. The fact that you can spend an extensive hiking vacation in Saxon Switzerland has long ceased to be an insider tip, as magnificent hiking areas with well-marked hiking trails invite you to particularly varied hikes.

Hiking on the Malerweg 

The Malerweg Elbe Sandstone Mountains is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Germany. Where painters, musicians, and writers were once inspired to create immortal works, 116 varied kilometers of hiking in eight daily stages now lead across the fascinating rocky landscape of the region – and back again.

Frau mit Rucksack blickt auf eine hügelige Landschaft mit einem markanten Felsen, dem Lilienstein, im Hintergrund.
© Sebastian Thiel

Germany's most beautiful hiking trail 2025

The Caspar David Friedrich Trail between Krippen and Schöna has been voted "Germany's Most Beautiful Hiking Trail 2025" in the day tours category in the nationwide public competition by Wandermagazin. This brings the prestigious title back to Saxony after 18 years – the Malerweg Elbe Sandstone Mountains last won in 2007. The approximately 15-kilometer route was comprehensively redesigned last year to mark the 250th birthday of Caspar David Friedrich: New information boards, optimized routing, and impressive viewpoints invite you to explore the landscape that inspired the world-famous painter to create his most famous works.

Blick auf eine hügelige Landschaft mit Feldern, Wäldern und einem markanten Felsen im Hintergrund.
© Philipp Zieger

Hike to the Bastei

The famous Bastei Bridge in Saxon Switzerland is located on the Elbe River between the spa town of Rathen and the town of Wehlen. The Bastei reef drops steeply 194 meters down to the Elbe. This provides all visitors with a magnificent view. Visiting the Bastei Bridge and the Bastei viewpoint is free of charge.

Can you hike to the Bastei?
From the S-Bahn station in Kurort Rathen or Stadt Wehlen, you cross the Elbe by ferry. This runs as needed. From here, follow the signs. It is particularly attractive to combine the hike with the Schwedenlöcher. 

Can you drive to the Bastei?
You can drive relatively close to the attraction by bus or car. From the parking lot / bus stop, you walk on a comfortable path for about 10-15 minutes to the Bastei viewpoint.

The European Long-Distance Hiking Trail E3 and Long-Distance Hiking Trail Eisenach-Budapest (EB)

The European long-distance path E3 (E3) as well as the long-distance path Eisenach - Budapest (EB) connect impressive landscapes and cultural areas across Europe. In Germany, it leads, among other places, through Saxon Switzerland. Here, this tradition-rich path reveals a particularly impressive side: bizarre sandstone rock formations, expansive views, quiet forests, and picturesque valleys make this section a special hiking experience on the German part of the long-distance trail.

The trail is divided into six hiker-friendly stages. This makes the route section even easier to plan and allows you to experience it entirely at your own pace – whether as a multi-day tour, a short vacation in nature, or in individual day hikes. The new stage division makes it easier to discover the region's scenic highlights in a relaxed manner. By the way: whether you are hiking the E3 or the EB, both trails run parallel in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

    Where is the best place to hike in Germany?

    Discover the hiking diversity of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains!

    Whether you are an ambitious sports hiker or a strolling connoisseur, the selection of hiking tours in such a dense area is unique in Germany. Circular hiking tours, multi-day tours, barrier-free paths - the range of offers is as multifaceted as the region. Among the most beautiful hikes in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains are the hiking tours to the Bastei Bridge, Lilienstein, Uttewalde Rock Gate, Schrammsteine, Polenz Valley, Papststein or Pfaffenstein.

    In our tour planner, we have over 250 hiking tours ready to choose from. A click of the mouse is enough and the entire route is downloaded as a GPX track. Less tech-savvy hikers can fall back on the PDF with tour description and overview map stored in the download area of each tour, print it out and take it with them on the hike.

    Wooded rock formations rise from the mist, with hills in the background at sunrise.
    © Sebastian Rose

    Behavior during hiking and cycling tours in the National Park

    Respectful enjoyment of the Saxon Switzerland National Park (Germany)

    Upon entering the Saxon Switzerland National Park, a world full of natural wonders and beauty reveals itself. Please bear in mind that this is a sensitive nature reserve in Germany that warrants our respect and care. Certain areas, designated as "core zones," require particular mindfulness. These constitute one quarter of the total area of the national park.

    We kindly ask you to observe the following guidelines to protect and preserve the natural heritage of the Saxon Bohemian Switzerland National Park:

    • Please remain on the marked trails. Within the core zones, utilize exclusively these trails (trail usage requirement).
    • If trails are closed for the protection of nature, we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
    • Fires and smoking are not permitted in order to safeguard our beloved nature from damage.
    • Please leave everything as you found it - plants, animals, and stones belong here. The national park is not a foraging area for berries and mushrooms.
    • Please park only in the designated parking lots.
    • Drones are not allowed in this area.
    • Camping and sleeping outdoors are generally prohibited. An exception is made for "Boofen" (sleeping under rock overhangs), which is reserved exclusively for rock climbers. An annual temporary ban on Boofen is in effect for nature conservation reasons from February 1st to June 15th.
    • Please take your trash with you and help keep nature clean.
    • Dogs are welcome but should always be kept on a leash. This serves to protect the flora and fauna and shows consideration for other visitors.
    • Is the nearest restroom too far away? Anyone who needs to defecate in the forest should bury it afterward due to pathogens that can harm nature. The use of toilet paper is advisable, as tissues decompose very poorly.