Forststeig - Stage 2: From the Grenzbaude to Ostrov

15.45 km long
Difficulty: medium
Condition: medium
Great panorama
Long-distance hiking trail
  • 6:00 h
  • 15.45 km
  • 442 m
  • 414 m
  • 396 m
  • 723 m
  • 327 m
  • Start: Grenzbaude
  • Destination: Campsite Ostrov
From the Grenzbaude, the route leads over the highest table mountain in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains (Hoher Schneeberg - 723 m) to the campsite in Ostrov.

In April 2018, Sachsenforst and Lesy České republiky opened the trekking route that had been planned for 5 years. As the forest 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 Sachsenforst bivouac sites as well as with 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. It leads along the left bank of the Elbe mostly on easy forest paths and trails as well as on forestry working 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.

Good to know

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

From the Grenzbaude trekking hut, take the forest path back to the Forststeig route. This follows the border for a while, passes the Taubenteich bivouac and soon crosses over to the Czech side. You pass the Kristin Hrádek hotel and restaurant and then turn right. The forest trail describes an arc through the forest until it crosses the road at a parking lot and continues along the green hiking trail. At a crossroads, turn right again and start the ascent to the High Snow Mountain (Děčínský Sněžník), at 723 m the highest mountain on the entire route. An observation tower makes it possible to climb even higher. On the other side of the Schneeberg, the route descends again on asphalt paths, straight ahead at a crossroads on the edge of a village. Leave this to the right, together with the other hiking trails. You soon reach the rocky area of Ostrov and shortly afterwards Ostrov itself, where the second stage ends at the campsite.

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 consider 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.

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.

Maps and hiking books (maps and books with a verified entry for the Forststeig Elbsandstein)

Berg- und Naturverlag Rölke

Am Sonnenhang 5 01328 Dresden

0351 2561510 bergverlag-roelke.de

Sachsen Kartographie GmbH Dresden

Heinrich-Zille-Str. 8 01471 Radeburg

035208 341901 sachsen-kartographie.de

Böhmewanderkarten - Engineering office for cartography

Niederweg 5 01814 Bad Schandau

035022 40100 boehmwanderkarten.de

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