The Caspar David Friedrich Trail begins at a wooden information pavilion at the junction of Elbweg and Zum Mittelhangweg in Krippen. Information boards provide interesting facts about Caspar David Friedrich. From here, the trail continues to the right along the road "Zum Mittelhangweg". At the back of the road, things become rather unromantic, as you reach a Deutsche Bahn construction site in the immediate vicinity of the railway tracks. Around 1813, when Friedrich himself was travelling in this area, he did not find his otherwise beloved silence here. At that time, sandstone was quarried here in the Krippen quarries. Information board no. 2, which is located on the right just before the path branches off, is also dedicated to this topic. It is entitled "The quarry motif" and shows, among other things, a watercolour by Friedrich of a quarry near Krippen from 19 July 1813. Directly next to this information board, the path now leads up the slope to the Mittelhangweg. At the top, follow the path to the left and after approx. 100 metres you will reach the actual location of the quarry motif shown on information board 2. A signpost indicates the exact location. From here, the route continues at a leisurely pace for approx. 3.5 km along the Mittelhangweg to Hirschgrund. Information boards 3-8 can be found along this stretch. The highlights of this stretch are the numerous views of the Schrammsteine on the other side of the Elbe. Caspar David Friedrich was also inspired by these views. Shortly after information board 7, there is a picnic area on the left with another marvellous view of the Elbe valley.
After information board 8, leave the Mittelhangweg, cross the Hirschgrund on the left over a bridge and follow the path on the other side of the Grund to the left in the direction of Schöna Castle. From the adjoining Elbhangweg, you can always see Schmilka on the other side. After approx. 800 metres, the path meets the Malerweg. From here, the Caspar-David-Friedrich-Weg and the Malerweg continue parallel to each other on a single stretch as far as Reinhardtsdorf. A steep ascent must now be overcome here. It goes up the Aschersteig to Schöna. Once you reach the top, you are rewarded with a magnificent view of the Schrammsteine and as far as Bohemian Switzerland. The Zirkelstein and the Kaiserkrone also line up in front of you in a southerly direction. The latter is the next destination. The path continues straight ahead across the field to the first houses in Schöna. Once you reach the road in Schöna, look out for the turn-off to the Kaiserkrone on the right. The ascent branches off somewhat inconspicuously between two houses. The exposed rock at the Kaiserkrone, on which the "Wanderer above the sea of fog" stands, can be recognised at the foot of the Kaiserkrone, but today the view is obscured by some trees. A climb up to the Kaiserkrone is well worthwhile. It is not too difficult and at the top of the plateau there are various vantage points with unique 360-degree views of Saxon and Bohemian Switzerland.
Once back down, you follow the Malerweg trail through the district of Schöna and head towards Wolfsberg. After leaving the village of Schöna, the path leads across a field past a small idyllic pond up to Wolfsberg. Here, next to a rest area, you will find information board no. 10, which also offers a wonderful panoramic view of the Schrammsteine, the Zirkelstein and the Kaiserkrone as well as Bohemian Switzerland. From here, the trail leads down to Reinhardtsdorf and past the church back up to the Krippenberg. There are two more information boards on the last section of the trail. Once in Krippen, the hike comes to an end at the Caspar David Friedrich Stele, which was only inaugurated in November 2023. The stele, created by stonemason Jan Lorenz, commemorates the painter's time in Krippen. It marks the end of the hike in the style of the historical signposts that once guided Romantic artists.
