Things You Never Forget:
the first kiss, the first great love, the first trip to the Saxon Switzerland.
To make your first time in Saxon Switzerland unforgettable, we have compiled 10 valuable tips and notes for you:
of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is unique!
Distinctive table mountains in an unparalleled rocky landscape, narrow gorges, idyllic forests, with the Elbe flowing through the valley - the national park region Saxon Switzerland is one of a kind! That's why our hearts beat particularly strong for this wonderful piece of Earth. It is a heartfelt concern for us to preserve this treasure for future generations. Did you know that you can contribute to this?
Guidelines from the Saxony State Forestry on fairness and consideration during recreation in the forest and nature:
Enjoy Nature
Enjoy nature with all your senses. Avoid noise. Protect the forest and nature for your own benefit and for those who come after you.
Protect Plants and Animals
Treat Saxony's natural areas and the plants and animals living there with care and respect. They are often unique and rare. By staying on existing paths, you reduce the risk of damaging sensitive plants or disturbing animals.
Be Aware of Forestry Work
Natural areas always have an owner. They design and manage the spaces and make them available as recreational areas. Be aware that work is being done in the forest. Therefore, when touring the forest, you should always expect forestry work, obstacles, uneven paths, or vehicles.
Be Considerate of Others
People visit the forest and nature for various reasons. Be considerate of other visitors. We all have the same right to enjoy nature.
Prevent Forest Fires
Open fires, barbecue fires, and smoking are prohibited in the forest to prevent fires. Do not discard burning or smoldering objects in the forest. A small spark can already cause a forest fire.
Leave No Litter
Litter does not belong in nature, it is harmful to animals and promotes parasites, pests, and diseases. Plan your visit in such a way that waste is avoided and take everything you brought with you back home.
Keep Waters Clean
Pollution of our waters endangers the valuable habitat for many animals and plants, as well as the quality of water as an essential resource for life.
Observe Protected Areas
Protected areas and ecologically sensitive areas are particularly valuable. Special regulations, such as access rights, apply to protect them.
Be Careful and Cautious
Be prepared for unforeseen situations: Consider suitable gear like clothing and footwear, as well as tools, provisions, and a first-aid kit. Nature also means danger – always be prepared for falling branches and toppling trees. Entry is therefore at your own risk.
What would the world be without national parks? In them, humanity preserves its most valuable natural landscapes for future generations. "Let nature be nature" is the credo of the global national park movement. This means: Humans limit themselves to the role of amazed and learning observers. National parks are not only fascinating retreats for rare animal and plant species. They are also idyllic places of recreation for their visitors. The Saxon Switzerland National Park is no exception. It is the only non-alpine rock national park in Germany - and at 94 km2, one of the smallest in the Federal Republic. The protected area consists of two parts on the right side of the Elbe River. The smaller part encloses the health resort of Rathen. The main part stretches from Bad Schandau towards the east to the Czech border, where it adjoins the Bohemian Switzerland National Park.
Did you know that the status of a national park comes with the highest degree of landscape and nature protection worldwide? Therefore, it is very important to observe the following rules in the national park:
Hiking, hiking, hiking: Saxon Switzerland is simply hikeable! The forested and rocky national park region is crisscrossed with a network of well-marked paths.
On the German side alone of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, there are a total of 1,200 km of marked trails. Of these, 400 kilometers are located within the national park. And the great thing is - our hiking area offers the right experience for every taste. Whether you're looking for a relaxing panoramic walk or are an ambitious trekking enthusiast, you'll find what you're looking for.
Here are 3 easy and 3 more challenging tour suggestions:
3 easy tours
3 Challenging Tours
Good views are not just a mindset, but they broaden one's perspective - especially here in Saxon Switzerland. We haven't counted them yet, but rest assured, there are more than four good views in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
By the way, to enjoy good views with us, you don't have to bravely climb peaks or endure long, arduous ascents. We have compiled our 4 favorite views for you here. You have the choice to reach them on a short route or as part of a longer hike.
Tip
ABC of Alternative Excursion Destinations
Everyone knows buses and trains, but here we also have ferries, steamboats, an elevator, and a tram in the national park! Saxon Switzerland is a public transport paradise. You will see – you can easily leave your car in the parking lot of your accommodation. This is not only good for the environment but also for your wallet. Did you know that parking fees increase the deeper you go into the national park? Especially in the Kirnitzsch Valley, available parking spaces are scarce, which quickly leads to frustration and dampens the anticipation of your hiking adventure!
By the way: Almost all overnight guests have the mobile guest card that includes the ride with buses and trains.
Intercity buses service the entire region. Important transfer points between suburban trains and buses are the central bus station ZOB in Pirna, the Reißiger Platz in Königstein, and the National Park station in Bad Schandau.
The National Park Railway U28 operates every two hours from Dečin via Bad Schandau and Sebnitz to Rumburk and back. It thus provides access to destinations in the Elbe Valley, the wildly romantic Sebnitz Valley, and the Schluckenauer Zipfel.
The S-Bahn Line S1 follows the course of the Elbe River and connects the Saxon Switzerland region with Dresden and Meißen. The S1 runs every hour between Schöna and Bad Schandau and even every 30 minutes between Bad Schandau and Pirna.
A total of 8 ferry stations guarantee dry-footed crossings from one bank of the Elbe to the other. The hiking boat operates up to 4 times daily from Bad Schandau via Krippen/Postelwitz and Schmilka to Hřensko and back.
The classic way to experience the Elbe and the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is with a ride on the historic paddle steamer. From mid-April to the end of October, there are scheduled trips from Pirna to Hřensko.
For more than 120 years, the Kirnitzschtalbahn has been transporting hikers from Bad Schandau to the Lichtenhain Waterfall. It is the only tramway in the world that enters a national park - and it is also accessible!
What does Saxon Switzerland actually taste like? More like Saxony or more like Switzerland? How do our chefs utilize the wealth of local ingredients? And how can you personally experience the flavors of the rock world with us - whether in the city or in the countryside, down in the valley or up in the mountains?
In short: Would you like to consciously experience your first time with a plethora of regional products?
Perhaps you are hiking for the first time not only in Saxon Switzerland but also in a rock national park. In many respects, it is worth being attentive along the way. Due to many dead spruces, there is currently an extreme risk of falling trees, especially in the back part of the national park. Some paths are impassable because of fallen spruce trunks! A collection of 8 valuable tips and advice for an unforgettable hiking experience can be found here.
A hiking vacation doesn't necessarily mean covering distance every day! On the contrary. Rest days are legitimate and contribute to the recuperative effect. Sleeping in, wellness, culture, good food, reading, and letting your mind wander: This too is part of a getaway in Saxon Switzerland. Inspiration for experiences and discoveries beyond the usual trails is offered by the local tourist information centers, the free leisure brochure, or the also free Saxon Switzerland vacation magazine.
Depending on the dosage during your first time, the active ingredient "Saxon Switzerland" may lead to the following side effects:
1. Risk of addiction: It might very well happen that this won't be your last time, and you may find yourself returning to Saxon Switzerland again and again. A second, third, fourth, fifth, ... repeat visit is not out of the question.
2. Long-lasting feelings of happiness even months after your visit
3. Withdrawal symptoms following your first trip over an extended period. Relief is only possible with a return as soon as possible.
4. Strong heart palpitations while reminiscing about your first time in Saxon Switzerland
5. Tingling sensation in your fingers while surfing on www.saechsische-schweiz.de/unterkuenfte
6. A painful longing for the Elbe Sandstone Mountains following your first time and the associated deep desire to quickly return to this wonderful place of longing
7. Signs of a potential loss of reality and the constantly recurring question: Did I really see this rocky landscape or did I just dream it all?
8. Loss of taste upon your return when consuming ordinary conventional products from the supermarket
9. Spontaneous feeling of liberation upon realizing how beautiful it was without a car in Saxon Switzerland
10. Talkativeness upon return - You will have to tell everyone about your experiences