Forststeig - Stage 4: From the Kamphütte to the Rotsteinhütte

The fourth stage is characterized by the rocks of the Bielatal. From the Kamphütte, take the short path back to the Forststeig and turn left at the crossroads. The first view of the day soon follows with the "Nachbar". Shortly after the neighbor, turn right and head steeply downhill to the Sophien spring. Pass behind the houses to reach the road, which you follow briefly to the left. Then turn right, cross the Biela and soon reach the Herkulesquelle spring. Now you enter the area of the Pillars of Hercules. The forest trail winds uphill to the left through a rocky lane through the exciting rock formations, past the Pillars of Hercules and out of the rocks again in a right-hand bend. A wooden boardwalk takes you back to the road, along the road for a few meters and then uphill to Johanniswacht. Here, too, there is a beautiful view of the rocks you have just crossed. Above Johanniswacht, turn left and then immediately right at the fork. You soon pass rocks again before the path descends and joins a wide forest path. This leads into the village of Ottomühle, but the forest path leads briefly in the other direction and then back to the left. Here you can take a detour to the Bennohöhle cave before entering the village. At the end of the village, the Forststeig branches off to the left and leads along rocks again before crossing the cycle path and the Biela river and heading uphill on the other side. On the plateau, the trail leads to the Grenzplatte, offering beautiful views of Bohemian Switzerland. Shortly after the Grenzplatte, the Forststeig turns left, briefly touches the border and soon crosses the cycle path and the Biela again. The Zehrborn bivouac is also located here. The stage continues, however, following the border again before turning left and following the Roter Punkt hiking trail along the Dürren Biele. The Forststeig trail then turns right, leads uphill again and soon comes to the Schneeberger Kreuz (a bus runs to here in high season). Go straight over the crossroads, then turn left at the next fork. You now walk along above Rosenthal, there is a shop in Rosenthal. The Forststeig now winds downhill through the forest, briefly along a cycle path again, until it finally leads to the Rotsteinhütte. This is where the fourth stage ends.

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.

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.

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.

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