On the E3 through Saxon Switzerland - Stage 5: From Hohnstein to Bad Schandau

We leave the medieval castle town behind us and take the easy route to the Brand. Once there, we enjoy a magnificent view over the entire area - it is not for nothing that this point is also known as the "Balcony of Saxon Switzerland". In addition to the view, the Brand-Baude also offers delicious refreshments. After a detour to the Hafersack viewpoint, we descend via the Brand steps into the Tiefen Grund and make our way to Bad Schandau. The stage ends there.

From the town center of the castle town of Hohnstein, we follow the signs to Brand. After about 45 minutes, we reach the Brand viewpoint, also known as the balcony of Saxon Switzerland, via the well-developed Brandstraße. In the Brand-Baude we can fortify ourselves for the kilometers ahead, there is also a national park information point here.

Over the Brand steps, about 800 of them, we descend into the Tiefen Grund and reach the road between Hohnstein and Bad Schandau. We walk along the stream on a narrow path parallel to the road until we reach the entrance to Porschdorf. There we turn left and walk along the Sebnitz river and the railroad tracks to the Kohlmühle stop on the National Park Railway. We follow the narrow Sebnitz valley road uphill, cross a larger road and are now on the path towards Bad Schandau. Above the village we come to a parking lot, on the other side of which we take the Schillerpromenade downhill. This brings us to the Kirnitzschtalstraße.

To spend the night in Bad Schandau, we turn right here, follow the footpath comfortably through the spa gardens and reach the center of Bad Schandau.

Hiking boots are recommended.

From Pirna or Bad Schandau on the B172 then via the S165 to Hohnstein.

Several public pay parking lots available in Hohnstein.

Arrival:
Bus stop Hohnstein Markt
Bus lines 237, 254, 236

Departure:
Bus stop Bad Schandau, Elbkai
Bus lines: 241, 254, 260, 243, 252, 244
Ferry to Bad Schandau National Park station, S-Bahn line S1 or U28

More information and timetable information at https://www.vvo-mobil.de/

On this section, the E3 is identical to the EB (Eisenach-Budapest). The paths are marked with a blue line on a white background.

Thanks to good public transport connections in the area and a well-branched network of marked hiking trails, the route can be varied or shortened in many places.

For that extra bit of relaxation, we recommend a wellness visit to the Toskana Therme.

The majority of the stage runs through the Saxon Switzerland National Park. Please note: Only marked pathsmay be usedin the core zone (recognizable by the signs in the terrain)! Outside of the core zone, the national park also has a trail ban; you are not allowed to leave the trails. Fines can be imposed for violations.

Path markings in the National Park

Further information about the National Park, for example about the rules that apply there, can be found on the National Park website.