Forststeig - Stage 7: From Gohrisch to Bad Schandau

10.60 km long

Difficulty: medium

Condition: easy

Great panorama

Long-distance hiking trail

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

© Alrun Flechsig, Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz

© Madlen Rogge, Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz

4:00 h
10.60 km
367 m
515 m
120 m
442 m
322 m
Start: Bivouac site Alte Gärtnerei in Gohrisch
Destination: Bad Schandau train station

From the "Alte Gärtnerei" bivouac site, the trail leads up to the proud peaks of the Gohrisch and Papststein and finally over the quietly dreamy Kleinhennersdorfer Stein to the train station in Bad Schandau. Due to its shorter distance, the last stage offers enough time to explore the three stones in peace and quiet and to avoid stress on the subsequent journey home.

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 (1%)

Street (8%)

Gravel (22%)

Trail (13%)

Path (56%)

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

Directions

From the bivouac site, the route leads through the Stiller Grund from the village of Gohrisch to the stone of the same name (first yellow dot, then soil nature trail, then briefly Malerweg). At the foot of Gohrisch you come back to the marked Forststeig route. Various ascents lead to the Gohrisch, the Forststeig follows the easier one. At the top, the view from the weather vane is the first highlight of the day (a short detour from the marked route), and you can also explore the Schwedenhöhle cave. Then it's back down from Gohrisch past the pavilion. You pass some mining tracks before reaching the parking lot between Papststein and Gohrisch. Now it's up to the Papststein (past the Hunskirchenblick), where the mountain restaurant invites you to linger and enjoy the fantastic view. After descending from the Papststein, turn left at the next crossroads to Kleinhennersdorfer Stein. Various caves can be discovered here before heading uphill. After a loop to a viewpoint, the route soon descends again (note: the route has been changed here; due to the impassability of the "hell" caused by tree breakage, it no longer goes down to the left, but a little further along the stone and then to the right through the "Sandschlüchte"). At the bottom, briefly follow the Malerweg trail, but then turn directly back into the forest and only briefly pass the allotment garden site, where you turn left again. Soon afterwards, the trail continues downhill to the right and winds its way ever closer to the Elbe. You then walk parallel to the Elbe for a while before meeting the Red Line (Täppichtsteig) at a crossroads and following it the last stretch down to the Elbe and thus to the Bad Schandau National Park railway station. Not only does the stage end here, but also the Forststeig. At the station, you can stop for refreshments at the "Drehscheibe" bistro before taking the train home.

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 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.