Alternative Bastei Hike - From the Bastei to the Rathewalder Mill
- 2:10 h
- 6.57 km
- 245 m
- 245 m
- 164 m
- 313 m
- 149 m
- Start: Bastei Bus Stop
- Destination: Bastei Bus Stop
As an alternative to the classic "Bastei Loop," which is currently unavailable due to the closure of the area around Amselsee, we recommend this route. It leads from the bus stop at the Bastei parking lot to the Bastei. After visiting the famous bridge, the route continues along the Gansweg—with an optional detour to the beautiful pavilion viewpoint—and through the picturesque Schwedenlöcher, descending many steps into the Amselgrund. From this cool valley, the route passes the Amselfall waterfall on the way to the Rathewalder Mühle, where you can stop for a break. The Rathewalder footpath leads back to the Bastei.
Good to know
Pavements
- Street (2%)Asphalt (13%)Gravel (21%)Path (64%)
Best to visit
- suitableDepends on weather
Directions
- From the bus stop, head first along Basteistraße, past the Bastei Hotel, to the Bastei viewpoint and the Bastei Bridge itself. Here, countless views open up. Once you’ve had your fill of the scenery, head back and keep to the right at the parking lot, following the hiking trail. At the next trail junction, turn right toward Schwedenlöcher and Amselfall (blue line, E3). After a short while, the detour to the Pavillonaussicht branches off to the right. From there, you’ll enjoy another beautiful view of the Bastei Bridge and the Wehlgrund; far below lies the Felsenbühne.
After enjoying the view, continue following the trail markers and you’ll soon enter the Schwedenlöcher. A series of steps leads you down into the cool, wild, and romantic Amselgrund. Once at the bottom, turn left—the area on the right is currently still closed off. Soon you’ll reach the Amselfall and continue past the Baude through the valley. Follow the trail further uphill until you arrive at the Rathewalder Mühle, where you can stop for a break.
After a break at the Rathewalder Mühle, walk back a short distance along the trail and then turn right onto the Eugen-Biehn-Weg. This trail leads uphill and joins the Basteiweg (yellow line, later the Rathewalder Fußweg), where you turn left. Follow the trail back toward the Bastei; it eventually joins the path to the Schwedenlöcher at the intersection, from which it’s not far to the bus stop.
Tour information
Loop Road
Stop at an Inn
Directions & Parking facilities
- Public transportationBy Bus to the Bastei: Plan Your Trip
Additional information
- For more detailed information about the forest closure that requires taking an alternate route: https://nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de/faq-zur-situation-in-rathen
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
- The Rathewalder Mill is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. when the weather is nice.
Safety guidelines
- Attention dog owners: The trail through the Schwedenlöcher has several hundred steps! Dogs must remain on a leash at all times.
The route lies almost entirely within the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The “stay-on-the-path” rule applies here, meaning you must not leave the trails. In the core zone, only marked or signposted trails may be used.
Nearby
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