Current Announcements
Here we inform you about current measures in the region that impact tourist activities in the holiday region of Saxon Switzerland. This ensures you remain well-prepared for your stay.
Rathen health resort
Removal of damaged timber following the severe weather
On 26 August 2026, the helicopter operation to remove damaged timber will begin in the vicinity of the spa resort of Rathen. From 25 August until approximately 18 September 2026, both Gamrig car parks, the Gamrig rock formation and a section of Rathener Straße in Waltersdorf will have to be closed.
Day visitors should travel to Oberrathen via the left bank of the Elbe. Visitors can arrive either by S-Bahn or by car as far as the Elbe car park. From there, they can cross the Elbe by ferry.
- Basteiweg from the spa resort of Rathen via the Bastei Bridge open
- Felsenbühne Rathen – No performances
Alternative venues have already been found for some performances. These can be viewed in the programme. - The Schwedenlöcher, the upper section of the Amselgrund (from the Schwedenlöcher junction to Rathewalde), the Gansweg leading to the Schwedenlöcher and the Polenztal in the Waltersdorfer Mühle area have reopened.
- Hiking suggestions: Alternative Bastei circular walk – From the Bastei via the spa resort of Rathen to Stadt Wehlen and Alternative Bastei circular walk – From the Bastei to Rathewalder Mühle
Details of the closure of the affected forest areas under the general administrative order are available on the district administration office's website.
26 August 2026, 10:15
Latest information about the Malerweg Trail
Stage 2 - Storm damage
Severe weather at the end of July caused considerable damage in the area around Kurort Rathen. As a result, the following diversion applies on Stage 2:
The Malerweg from Wehlen to the Bastei is passable.
From the Bastei, please follow the “blue stripe” trail marker to the entrance to the Schwedenlöcher, then descend to the Amselgrund and continue along the Malerweg to Rathewalde. As the Schindergraben in the Polenztal, which leads up to Hohnstein, is also currently closed, please follow the "green stripe" trail marker from the Gasthaus Polenztal up to Hohnstein Castle.
Stage 3 - Diversion Kohlichtgraben
The hiking trail through the Kohlichtgraben is currently impassable due to many dead bark beetle spruce trees that could fall at any time. As the affected section is private forest, the trail cannot be cleared by the national park and forest administration. There is currently no prospect of short-term clearance in this steep terrain. It is therefore strongly recommended to avoid this section and divert via the Yellow Stripe and the road over Goßdorf. The road between Goßdorf and Kohlmühle is expected to remain closed to vehicles until the end of 2026 but is accessible to pedestrians.
For Malerweg hikers, this extends the route by 2.2 km. Detour link: https://mapy.com/s/hufusedore
Alternatively, the section can be bypassed via Waitzdorf, and instead, from the Brandstufen, one can hike along the Blue Stripe (ZW, E3 and EB). This way, you reach Kohlmühle through the Tiefen Grund via the Frinztalmühle and along the Sebnitz. This shortens the route by about half a kilometre.
Stage 5: Diversion Bergsteig
The lower part of the Bergsteig is impassable due to the very high risk of falling trees. The detour leads via the Winterbergstraße and Erlsgrund to the stage destination in Schmilka. The detour is approximately 700 m longer.
Neumannmühle car park closed
Period from 15 August to 30 September 2026
The site is required as a materials storage area for construction work in the Großer Zschand.
We recommend using public transport or planning hikes with alternative starting points.
The Neumannmühle, Buschmühle and Zeughaus restaurants will remain open and can be included as refreshment stops on your tours.
Nearest parking facilities:
- Sturmbauers Eck
- Saupsdorf
- Hinterhermsdorf village centre
- Hinterhermsdorf Buchenparkhalle
- Lichtenhain Waterfall
Low water levels on the Elbe
Sächsische Dampfschifffahrt | White Fleet
Due to the low water level of the Elbe, the following changes will apply from 27 August 2026:
- L12 – Saxon Switzerland: Cancelled
- L31 – Elbe Valley route from/to Pirna (without stopping in Prossen)
- L32 – National Park route from/to Bad Schandau (without stopping in Prossen)
Last updated: 26 August 2026 – 12:10
Rock Castle Neurathen closed
Due to security deficiencies, the Neurathen rock castle is closed until further notice. It is currently not possible to visit the Neurathen rock castle.
The route via the Bastei Bridge is NOT affected.
Bohemian Switzerland:
Pravčická brána, Edmund's Gorge and Wild Gorge
- The Wilde Klamm is open annually from early April to early November.
- The Edmund Gorge is open from 18/06/2026.
Tickets are available directly at the entrance to the Edmund Gorge in Hrensko
Boats depart hourly from 10:00 to 17:00. - The hiking trail from Hřensko to the Pravčická brána is open daily from 10:00-18:00 between April and October, and from November to March, Friday to Sunday from 10:00-16:00.
- The Gabriela Trail from Mezni Louka to the Pravčická brána remains closed!
To protect our nature
Please always adhere to the following forest commandments as a matter of principle:
- Fires and smoking are strictly prohibited – fire endangers nature – not only during dryness!
- Entering the forests is at your own risk. Dead or burnt trees can fall at any time.
- Follow the path requirement and stay on the marked hiking trails.
Information on temporarily impassable paths at the National Park Centre's info telephone: 035022 502 40 and online.
Pathworks as well as path and forest closures in the national park region
Bare branches, brown needles, fallen trees. In some areas of the national park region, the traces of the bark beetle are unmistakable. In the national park region, natural forest development is taking place: spruce forests are dying; healthy mixed forests are regenerating. Until this lengthy process is complete, special precautions apply here due to the risk of falling trees: Avoid the forest in strong winds, heavy rain, or snow loads. Do not stand under broken branches or treetops. You enter the forest at your own risk.
Some paths are impassable due to fallen trees (bark beetle damage) or because of the acute danger of further tree breakages. Please check the current situation before your hike on the following pages, use the info phone, or inquire at your accommodation on site or at tourist information centres.
Information on impassable and closed paths in the national park region:
Telephone service National Park Centre:
+49 35022 50240 (daily 9 am – 6 pm, Sundays and public holidays 9 am - 3 pm)
Information on closed paths in the state forest due to forestry work outside the national park:
Telephone service Sachsenforst (Neustadt forestry district):
+49 35023 66230 (weekdays during office hours)
Information on road closures in the district of Sächsische Schweiz Osterzgebirge:
Public transport
Information on public transport services including train, suburban train, bus, ferries, and the Kirnitzschtalbahn can be obtained from the following links:
For information on trips with the Saxon Steamship Company and any pre-bookings, please click here:
Road Construction Sites
On the portal of the Sächsische Schweiz district office, you will find current information on roadworks in the district:
Report defects
A hiking sign is damaged or missing? Markings have faded, or trees have been freshly felled, and no markings are visible? A freshly fallen tree is blocking the hiking path? Please report this directly on the defect report website of the National Park region.
It is very important that you provide the exact location. If available, a picture is welcome. However, location coordinates or a very precise description or marking on a hiking map are also sufficient. Thank you for your support!