Caspar-David-Friedrich-Route

The Caspar-David-Friedrich-Route starts at a wooden information pavilion at the junction of Elbweg/Zum Mittelhangweg in Krippen. Here, information boards already provide interesting facts about Caspar David Friedrich. The path continues right along the street "Zum Mittelhangweg". Towards the rear of the street, it becomes less romantic as you reach a construction site of the German Railways near the railway tracks. Around 1813, when Friedrich himself was in this area, he also would not have found his usual beloved silence here. At that time, sandstone was being quarried in the Krippen quarries. This topic is also addressed by information board no. 2, located on the right just before a fork in the path. It is entitled "The Quarry Motif" and shows, among other things, a watercolor by Friedrich of a quarry near Krippen dated July 19, 1813. Right next to this information board, the path now leads up the slope to the Mittelhangweg. Upon reaching the top, follow the path to the left and after about 100 m you reach the actual site of the quarry motif discussed on information board 2. A signpost indicates the exact location. From here, the route continues gently for about 3.5 km along the Mittelhangweg to the Hirschgrund. Along this stretch are information boards 3-8. Highlights of this section include numerous views across the Elbe to the Schrammsteine. Caspar David Friedrich was also inspired by these views. Shortly after information board 7, on the left there is a picnic area with another magnificent view into the Elbe valley.

After information board 8, leave the Mittelhangweg, cross the Hirschgrund to the left over a bridge, and continue on the other side of the valley following the path to the left towards Schöna Castle. From the adjoining Elbhangweg you can repeatedly see Schmilka on the opposite side. After about 800 m the path meets the Malerweg. From here, the Caspar-David-Friedrich-Route and the Malerweg run together in parallel for a stretch to Reinhardtsdorf. A steep climb must now be overcome, going up the Aschersteig to Schöna. Upon reaching the top, you will be rewarded with a wonderful view of the Schrammsteine and into the Bohemian Switzerland. Also, the Zirkelstein and the Kaiserkrone line up southwards ahead. The latter is the next destination. The path continues straight across the field to the first houses of Schöna. There, when you reach the street in Schöna, watch carefully for the turn-off to the Kaiserkrone on the right. The ascent branches off somewhat unobtrusively between two houses. After the steps, you will find information board no. 9. The prominent rock at the Kaiserkrone, on which the "Wanderer above the Sea of Fog" stands, is visible at the foot of the Kaiserkrone, but the view today is partly obstructed by some trees. The climb up to the Kaiserkrone is well worth it. It is not too difficult, and at the top plateau there are various viewpoints with unique 360-degree views of Saxon and Bohemian Switzerland.

Back down, you follow the Malerweg again through the district of Schöna and take course towards the Wolfsberg. After leaving Schöna village, the path leads across a field past a small idyllic pond up to Wolfsberg. There, next to a rest area, is information board no. 10. Here too, there is a magnificent panoramic view of the Schrammsteine, the Zirkelstein, the Kaiserkrone, and into Bohemian Switzerland. From here, the path then leads down to Reinhardtsdorf and past the church back up to the Krippenberg. On the last stretch of the path, two more information boards follow.

Upon arrival in Krippen, the hike ends at the Caspar-David-Friedrich-Column, inaugurated in November 2023. Created by stonemason Jan Lorenz, the column commemorates the painter's time in Krippen. Inspired by historical signposts that once gave guidance to the artists of Romanticism, it marks the end of the hike.