Forststeig - Stage 1: From Schöna to Grenzbaude

15.81 km long

Difficulty: medium

Condition: medium

Great panorama

Long-distance hiking trail

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

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

6:00 h
15.81 km
712 m
414 m
125 m
548 m
423 m
Start: Schöna train station
Destination: Trekking hut Grenzbaude

From Schöna station, the route leads south along the Elbe slopes into the idyllic Gelobtbachtal valley, then uphill to the panoramic view of the Großer Zschirnstein and on through quiet forests to the Grenzbaude junction.

In April 2018, Sachsenforst and Lesy České republiky opened the trekking route that had been planned for 5 years. As the forestry administrations of the Free State of Saxony and the Czech Republic, we want to bring people closer to nature with the "Elbe Sandstone Forest Trail" project.

The trekking route allows visitors to hike for several days between April and October through the forests on the border between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Czech Republic. Along the way, it is possible to spend the night in trekking huts and at bivouac sites run by Sachsenforst and tourist partners. On the Czech side, there is a public campsite directly on the route.

The Elbe Sandstone Forest Trail is a challenging trekking route for experienced, sure-footed and well-equipped hikers. On the left bank of the Elbe, it leads mostly on easy forest paths and trails as well as forestry work roads over 100 km in 7 stages through the unique landscapes of Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland, which is known for its extensive contiguous forests, bizarre rock formations and mighty table mountains.

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

Directions

From the train station in Schöna, the route first goes uphill towards Zirkelstein. At the fork in the path, take a sharp left and you are now on the Elbe slope. The path soon takes a bend that leads to the Schiebteich pond. On the small dyke, you pass the idyllic pond and continue through the forest (note: the Forststeig route has been relocated here due to the impassability of the original route caused by tree breakage), sometimes uphill, sometimes downhill, always above the Elbe. After "Tauberts Aussicht", the Forststeig moves away from the Elbe and shortly afterwards turns down a slope to the stream (this short section is also newly created). This is also where the Grüner Strich hiking trail joins, which is identical to the Forststeig for a while. The Forststeig now stays close to the Czech border, briefly leaves the Grüner Strich, but soon rejoins the hiking trail. The trail now heads away from the border and up to the Großer Zschirnstein. At 561 m, this is the highest point in Saxon Switzerland and features a triangulation column dating back to 1865. On the way downhill, you will come across an old quarry. The forest trail heads south again at the foot of the Großer Zschirnstein and you soon reach the Zschirnstein bivouac. However, the stage described here continues further, back to the border and always along the border line until a path turns off to the right to the Grenzbaude trekking hut. This is where the first stage ends.

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 stay overnight 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 updated 03/2026

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

The classification of the forest trail is only a suggestion, each trekker should divide the length of the daily stages according to ability and experience.

Safety guidelines

To avoid disturbing nature, animals and everyone who works for the forest, you must follow the rules! Conflicts and violations can damage nature and cause the project to fail!

Observe the Forststeig code of conduct

✔ Do not light fires 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.

Map

You can find an overview map for hiking in the Forststeig brochure.