Elbe Sandstone Forest Trail

104.07 km long

Difficulty: difficult

Condition: very difficult

Great panorama

Long-distance hiking trail

© Bernhard Müller, Sachsenforst I Nationalpark- und Forstverwaltung Sächsische Schweiz | CC-BY

© Tobias Rölke, Sachsenforst I Nationalpark- und Forstverwaltung Sächsische Schweiz | CC-BY

50:00 h
104.07 km
2,966 m
2,977 m
120 m
723 m
603 m
Start: Schöna train station
Destination: Bad Schandau train station

A challenging trekking route for experienced and well-equipped hikers. It leads along the left bank of the Elbe in 7 stages through the unique landscapes of Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland.

In April 2018, Sachsenforst and Lesy České republiky opened the trekking route, which is over 100 km long. As the forestry administrations of the Free State of Saxony and the Czech Republic, we want to bring people closer to nature with this project.

The yellow-marked trekking route starts at Schöna railroad station on the Elbe and runs along the left bank of the Elbe, mainly on forest paths and trails as well as forestry working roads through the extensive contiguous forests of the Elbe region.The route crosses 13 mighty table mountains and ends in Bad Schandau - a pure experience with opportunities to spend the night in the forest.

From April to October, visitors can hike for several days through the forests on the border, away from settlements and accompanied by bizarre rock formations. Overnight stays are in trekking huts and on Sachsenforst bivouac sites as well as with tourist partners.

Pavements

Unknown (94%)

Asphalt (3%)

Trail (2%)

Path (1%)

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

Equipment

The Forststeig is a challenging trekking route for sure-footed and experienced hikers. Good preparation is important!

1 Get the right information

Inform yourself thoroughly about the route, news, the upcoming weather and the instructions on how to behave on the Forststeig, in the huts and at the bivouac sites.

2 Assess yourself realistically

Think about how fit you are. Plan the stages so that you arrive at your destination in time for daylight. You can find a division into 7 stages under route overviews.

3 Plan suitable overnight stays

Plan your overnight stays and think about alternatives. Note that camping in the forest and at the trekking huts is prohibited. Take advantage of the offers of the Forststeig partners.

4 Your safety

Always walk at least in pairs and tell someone about your plans in advance. Remember your first aid kit.

5 Pay attention to the weather

The weather is an important factor. Check the forecasts. Avoid the forest in bad weather and storms. Be aware of the risk of forest fires.

6 Be well equipped

Take enough food, drinking water and the right clothing and equipment with you. Remember that cooking and lighting with an open flame is only permitted at official fireplaces and in the huts. Fill up your water supply whenever possible. We recommend taking good topographical hiking maps (with springs and watercourses marked) and suitable equipment for water treatment.

7 Forestry work and dangers

The forest trail leads through near-natural areas and managed forests. Walk on it at your own risk. Observe closures and notices.

8 Do not forget: Trekking tickets

You need trekking tickets if you want to spend the night in a trekking hut or at a bivouac site. The proceeds from the sale of the tickets are used to support and maintain the forest trail.

Additional information

Route update 03/2026 - contains 3 relocations of the route due to the impassability of the original path at two points on the first stage and one point at Kleinhennersdorfer Stein. Rerouting corresponds to the markings in the terrain.

Literature

Forststeigführer - Trekking in Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland. Dr. Peter Rölke, Berg- & Naturverlag Rölke. ISBN 978-3-934514-39-3

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

All information and news can be found at www.forststeig.de.

Safety guidelines

Rules must be observed so that nature, animals and all those who work for the forest are not disturbed! Conflicts and violations can damage nature and cause the project to fail.

The Forststeig code of conduct:

✔ Don't make a fire in the forest!

✔ Do not smoke in the forest!

✔ Only cook at the cooking areas!

✔ Only spend the night in the forest in the trekking huts and on the bivouac sites!

✔ Don't make any noise in the forest!

✔ Don't leave any garbage behind!

✔ Don't hike at dusk or at night!

✔ Stay on the path!

✔ Validate the trekking tickets on arrival at the overnight accommodation.

Important: Find out in advance at www.forststeig.de! Information on overnight accommodation and current restrictions is provided there.

Map