Forststeig - Stage 5: From the Rotsteinhütte to Nikolsdorf

From the Rotsteinhütte, the trail leads to the eponymous Rotstein. For a short while, the Forststeig runs along with the Grüner Punkt, but turns off from it to Schneebergblick. The trail continues to the Katzstein (the name says it all) and the Signal. After this panoramic start to the stage, the Forststeig turns off in the direction of Spitzstein. Here a staircase leads to the viewpoint. The Spitzstein bivouac follows shortly afterwards. From there, continue along the root path until you reach a fork where the Forststeig branches off to the right. Pass the Neuteich pond and continue along Lampertstraße, taking a right-hand bend towards Kohlberg. If you wish, you can make a detour to the viewpoint here before continuing along the Forststeig trail below the Lampertstein. At the end of the path, turn left up to the Lampertstein, take a detour to the right to the beautiful viewpoint with panoramic views, then walk along the top of the Lampertstein and down again at the other end. Now follow the Hölllochweg trail to the next crossroads, where the Forststeig trail turns right and loops through the forest. Finally, you come to the asphalt road on the outskirts of Bielatal-Reichstein, which you follow past the "Drei Fichten" until the Forststeig branches off to the left at a fork. Now you climb up the Kleiner Eichberg, from here you have a beautiful view over Bielatal. Continue through the forest down to the road. Cross the road and the Biela river to ascend again on the other side of the valley. The Forststeig trail turns left here and makes another detour over the Bernhardstein. There are also beautiful views from here. Once you have descended from the Bernhardstein, you cannot miss the labyrinth. This rock labyrinth near Langenhennersdorf invites you to explore, there is a numbered path through it. The forest trail passes the labyrinth and then branches off to the left from the Grüner Punkt hiking trail, leads past climbing rocks and then climbs back up to the hiking trail. When the hiking trail turns right, the Forststeig continues straight ahead for a short distance before it also turns right and rejoins the hiking trail at the natural stage and the "Kleiner Kuhstall". Shortly after the natural stage, the Forststeig turns right, then left at the crossroads to the Nikolsdorf bivouac at the Leupoldishain forest adventure center. Here you can also explore the outdoor area of the forest adventure center. This is where the fifth 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 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.

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