Lichtenhain circular route

Lichtenhainer Waterfall, Neuer Wildenstein with the famous Kuhstall rock gate, the little-known Großstein, as well as Ottendorf and Lichtenhain are the landmarks of this route. Five hours of hiking time are planned for the 15-kilometre-long circuit.

The ride with the Kirnitzschtalbahn from the Kurpark Bad Schandau to the starting point of the route at Lichtenhainer Waterfall is highly recommended. The railway with its brightly yellow carriages is a rolling legend! With only one line, it is not only the smallest tram operation in the country but also the only tram worldwide that enters a national park! Hollywood has even discovered it.

The hike itself starts at the hiking parking lot at Lichtenhainer Waterfall. To the right of the large information boards of the Saxon Switzerland National Park, you first cross the crystal-clear Kirnitzsch over a picturesque moss-covered stone bridge. The path leads uphill through the forest to Neuer Wildenstein (trail marker red dot). The first hiking destination is the rock gate "Kuhstall". For 200 years, it has been one of the most famous sights of Saxon Switzerland. Thousands of tons of rock hang as an arch about ten meters above you, creating a vault when you walk through the rock gate like the portal of a cathedral into the dazzling sunlight on the other side of the mountain. Here we get the first panorama of the day: the hinterland of Saxon Switzerland with its countless hills and knobbly peaks.

Over the "Himmelsleiter" (stairway to heaven), a staircase in a narrow rock crevice, it goes even higher - to where 600 years ago stood the castle of the once proud Bohemian noble family Berka von der Dubá. History has not been kind to the former castle lords. Towards the end of the Middle Ages, they appeared in the region as robber knights. Then their castle was destroyed. What remains is a romantic rock plateau with ancient trees and a wonderful 180-degree view. The "Schneiderloch", a small cave with a natural viewing balcony, is directly after the descent from the rock plateau. The intricate summit of Neuer Wildenstein invites you to climb and explore. Perfect for families with active children. The winter indulgence offer of the nearby Bergwirtschaft Kuhstall fits perfectly. A cozy warm tiled stove, freshly baked waffles, hot chocolate: that's the house recipe against cold fingers and toes.

From Kuhstall, it goes down to the valley and through the Ferkelschlüchte into the Kirnitzsch valley to Felsenmühle (trail marker red line). Right at Felsenmühle, follow the path uphill again to the summit of Großstein (trail marker green line). The forest on both sides of the path can look quite wild here. Several dry summers in a row and bark beetle infestations have led to the death of many spruces in recent years. What remains is a mikado of deadwood. But young trees are already growing everywhere between the fallen trunks. A new mixed forest is emerging.

The national park administration calls the process "natural forest conversion", which is occurring here and at many other locations in the protected area. Humans only intervene to secure paths and roads. Otherwise, the wood is left as a natural insect hotel. It is fascinating to see how the forest heals itself when it is allowed to.

The idyllic summit of Großstein with its numerous cozy viewpoints is often all yours in winter. Here opens a magnificent panoramic view over the Kirnitzsch canyon and the impressive rock world of the core zone of the national park. Shortly after the descent, the scenery changes completely. Instead of forest and rocks, you walk on a dirt road over open hilly land (trail marker green line).

The former youth recreation home "Endlerkuppe" with its distinctive water tower on the horizon appears somewhat surreal. It has been empty for over 30 years and is waiting, decaying, for a new purpose.

Afterwards, you pass through the tranquil Ottendorf. A stop at the Ottendorf Hut is worthwhile here. Like Altendorf, Mittelndorf, Lichtenhain and Saupsdorf, which border the national park to the north here, the village belongs to the "panorama villages" of Saxon Switzerland. Their exposed elevation north of the Kirnitzsch valley allows for uplifting distant views of the mountain world in the protected area. From the exit of Ottendorf, follow the trail marker green dot to Lichtenhain. From Lichtenhain, it goes only downhill to the Kirnitzsch valley, back to the starting point Lichtenhainer Waterfall (trail marker red line).