Forststeig - Stage 6: From Nikolsdorf to Gohrisch

14.85 km long

Difficulty: medium

Condition: medium

Great panorama

Long-distance hiking trail

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

© Karin Zimmermann, Sachsenforst I Nationalpark- und Forstverwaltung Sächsische Schweiz | CC-BY

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

6:00 h
14.85 km
395 m
464 m
168 m
369 m
201 m
Start: Forest Experience Center Leupoldishain
Destination: Bivouac site "Alte Gärtnerei"

From Nikolsdorf, the trail continues through the Biela valley to the Quirl plateau, past the Pfaffenstein and to the "Alte Gärtnerei" bivouac in Gohrisch or directly on to stage 7.

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. 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.

Pavements

Unknown (10%)

Street (1%)

Asphalt (3%)

Gravel (4%)

Trail (43%)

Path (39%)

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

Directions

From the Nikolsdorf bivouac at the Leupoldishain forest adventure center, the trail leads up to the panoramic view. The forest trail then winds away from the wide hiking trail down through the forest, straight ahead at the crossroads. Soon you turn left and come to the asphalted Forsthausweg, which you follow briefly, turning left. At the next opportunity, turn right again. The path describes an arc and finally comes to the Hirschstange. Cross this and you will soon reach the Biela. Here you cross the road and shortly afterwards come to the Quirl bivouac. There you turn left onto Unterer Kohlweg, which runs alongside the Quirl. On the north-west side of the Quirl, the Forststeig turns off towards the Tafelberg, crosses the Quirl promenade and leads up to the Quirl. The beautiful plateau offers some lovely views, for example of Königstein Fortress and into the Table Mountain area. The route descends again via the Kanonenweg and continues in the direction of Pfaffenstein. If you have the time and inclination, you can also climb this (there is also a restaurant here), but the stage leads past the Pfaffenstein through the forest onto the Niederer Kohlweg. At a crossroads, you cross the Grüner Strich hiking trail and shortly afterwards the road. For a short while, the Forststeig follows the same path as the Roter Punkt hiking trail, now heading towards Gohrisch. However, before climbing up to Gohrisch, you leave the Forststeig on this stage and follow the soil nature trail, then the Yellow Dot hiking trail to the village of Gohrisch, on the edge of which the "Alte Gärtnerei" bivouac site awaits.

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.

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 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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Forststeig - Stage 6: From Nikolsdorf to Gohrisch

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