Alternative Bastei Hike - From the Bastei via Rathen to Wehlen

From the bus stop, walk straight ahead along Basteistraße, past the Bastei Hotel. There you’ll find the observation deck at the Bastei and the many scenic views around the Bastei Bridge. Once you’ve had your fill of the views, head down toward Rathen via the Basteiweg, which includes some steps. In the town, turn right twice and head toward the Elbe. Before reaching the ferry landing, turn right again. You’ll now walk along the Wehlener Weg for quite a while

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always following the Elbe, until you finally reach Stadt

Wehlen. Once in Stadt Wehlen, you can visit the castle ruins, for example, before walking back a short distance along the Elbe. At a fork in the trail, turn left onto the Schwarzberggrund (Malerweg). The trail heads uphill again. Soon the trail turns right and then immediately left; you’ll now continue partly down steps on the Schanzenweg. To your right, a view of the Elbe opens up.

Continuing along the Malerweg, you’ll eventually reach a large intersection where the “Steinerne Tisch” (Stone Table)—which gives the trail its name—is located. A few meters further on, there’s a rest area, from which you can take the Fremdenweg back toward the Bastei and thus to the starting point of the loop.

For more detailed information about the forest closure that requires this alternate route: https://nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de/faq-zur-situation-in-rathen

On weekends, you can stop for a bite to eat at the Steinerner Tisch.

The trail is suitable for dogs that can navigate steps. Much of the route is located within the Saxon Switzerland National Park, where dogs must be kept on a leash. In addition, the national park enforces a “stay-on-the-path” rule, meaning you must not leave the designated trails. In the core zone, only marked or signposted trails may be used.