--- title: "🛶 Water activities in the Saxon Switzerland" url: "https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/en/holiday/active-offers/on-the-water" description: "Along the Elbe, you'll find boat hire, canoe tours, and steamboat trips. ★ Experience the stunning landscape and plan your water holiday! ➤ All." language: "en" breadcrumb: "Root > Saxon Switzerland > EXPERIENCE > ACTIVE OFFERS > On the water" --- Experience Water ================ **Small but fine is the selection of water-based activities in Saxon Switzerland. Along the Elbe, there are several boat rentals and tour operators.** Stony shores, green meadows, dense forests, behind them rugged cliffs and mighty table mountains: The 30 kilometers of the Elbe between Schmilka and Pirna are among the most scenically impressive sections of the entire river. Taking a raft, canoe or boat ride through this majestic scenery is one of the highlights of a vacation in the region. Rathen paddle steamer service **Sedate: Steamboat and Motorboat on the Elbe** ----------------------------------------------- The classic way to experience the Elbe and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is a trip on a historic paddle steamer. As early as 1837, a steamship departed from Dresden for the first time with Rathen as its destination. To this day, the tour is one of the highlights in the summer schedule of the Saxon Steam Navigation Company, the oldest and largest paddle steamer fleet in the world. The landscape experience here is complemented by an encounter with historic technology. Relaxing day trips through the Saxon Switzerland region with onboard catering are also offered by Oberelbe Passenger Shipping with the MS »Sächsische Schweiz«, built in 1979, and MS »Bastei«, built in 1983. From early May to late October, there is a daily scheduled trip from Tuesday to Saturday from Pirna to Hřensko (Herrnskretschen) and back. - - **Close to Nature: Paddling & Canoeing on the Elbe** -------------------------------------------------------- A sense of freedom and adventure, as well as an intense experience of nature: this is what active exploration tours with a canoe or dinghy promise. Along the Elbe today, paddlers will see a healthy ecosystem with fish, ducks, wild geese, gulls, and gray herons. Sometimes you can even observe a beaver or a kingfisher. It's hard to imagine that just thirty years ago, this body of water was one of the most polluted rivers in Western Europe. The Elbe flows at about three kilometers per hour. Those who paddle along will travel downstream at four to five kilometers per hour. Along the route, there are numerous opportunities for picnics on the green meadow. In the villages, cafés and beer gardens also invite you to stop by, so the daily stages should not be planned too ambitiously. Local providers offer kayaks, Canadian canoes, dinghies, life jackets, and waterproof packsacks. On standard routes within the region, boat transfer is usually included in the rental price. - - Aerial view of packrafts Upper Lock Boat Trip **Crossing Mystical Gorges: The Upper Lock Hinterhermsdorf** ------------------------------------------------------------ Even the shady gorges and valleys of Saxon Switzerland, the moss-green realms of eternal twilight, are full of secrets. The most mystical of all gorges in Saxon Switzerland is the Kirnitzsch Gorge near Hinterhermsdorf, which can be experienced during a boat ride from the hiking destination Obere Schleuse. On both sides, steep, high rock walls rise up. Curious rock formations covered with mosses and lichens, as well as trees clinging to the rock wall with their roots, inspire the imagination. The canoeing season at the Obere Schleuse runs from Easter to the end of October. - - Krippen Hiking Boat **Water Taxi: Hiking Boat Saxon Switzerland** --------------------------------------------- The hiking boat follows the Elbe for ten kilometers. Each docking point is an attractive starting point for hikes. It runs up to four times a day from Bad Schandau via Krippen/Postelwitz and Schmilka to Hřensko (Herrnskretschen) and back. - **Ferryman hol über: Ferries Saxon Switzerland** ------------------------------------------------ The Elbe winds through the valley in the Saxon Switzerland and divides the region into its left and right bank areas. To conveniently reach and explore both sides, there are a total of 10 ferries in the region that connect the Elbe banks - and at the same time allow for a moment of rest on the water. The change of perspective is always worth it. Tip: All ferries (except the cable ferry in Kurort Rathen) can be used free of charge with the guest card mobile. - - Wehlen Ferry Fishing **Fishing Joys** ---------------- In Sebnitz, Polenz or Kirnitzsch, trout, grayling or small salmon fry live everywhere. In addition to the existing fishing license, a permit is required, which can be obtained in the region. - **Outdoor pools & swimming pools in Saxon Switzerland** ----------------------------------------------------------- **Refreshment not only on hot days!** Anyone looking to cool off in summer is guaranteed to find what they are seeking in **Saxon Switzerland**: Numerous **outdoor pools and water parks** offer opportunities to swim, splash about and relax. Whether you prefer a natural bathing lake, a family-friendly leisure pool or thermal spa wellness with panoramic views – here you can find the best **swimming pools in Saxon Switzerland** at a glance. Find your favourite pool now!