From Wehlen to the most famous bridge in Germany - the Bastei

We descend from the ruins on the other side and now follow the red dot markings into Wehlener Grund as well as the Malerweg. The town is soon behind us. After a few minutes, a narrow hiking trail branches off to the left of the residential road, which we can use to avoid walking on the road. It runs parallel to the road and ends at a large crossroads. Here we follow the red dot in the direction of Steinerner Tisch - Bastei. The wide path on which we are now walking also serves as a cycle route through the national park. After a few minutes, the Uttewalder Grund turns off to the left, we continue straight ahead and are now in the Zscherregrund.

The secret, quiet highlight of the hike are these typical, U-shaped grounds. We hike through sandstone gorges with almost vertical rock faces. Cool humidity envelops us, a paradise for mosses, ferns and lichens. The nuances of the color green and the variety of shapes are overwhelming, especially during the vegetation period. (At least) 452 species of moss and 367 species of lichen thrive in Saxon Switzerland. A special kind of richness with a focus on detail! The geological history of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is also clearly visible in the Zscherregrund: right next to the hiking trail is a so-called " Strudeltopf", a relic of the Ice Age.

At the next junction, we leave the cycle route and turn right into the Höllengrund, continuing in the direction of the Steinerner Tisch. The Höllengrund leads us uphill, at the top we turn left briefly, then immediately right again on the Fremdenweg until we reach the Steinerner Tisch. The building of the same name was once built by Elector Augustus the Strong to dine here on the occasion of a hunt. Past the snack bar (continue on and follow the red dot), we reach the Bastei via the Fremdenweg. Almost 200 meters vertically above the Elbe lies the most famous bridge in Germany - the Bastei Bridge. The most famous sight in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is a magnet for visitors. The stone bridge was built in 1851, before that the rugged rocky reef was accessible via a wooden bridge. We can take in the various viewpoints on and beside the bridge before walking back to the Stone Table and turning left onto the Malerweg (signpost: Schwarzberggrund - Stadt Wehlen). We follow the Malerweg downhill through the Schwarzberggrund and after a short section with steps we have almost reached Stadt Wehlen again. Once in the town, we just follow the Elbe to the ferry, which takes us back to the starting point.

• All the rules in the National Park
• Tips for safe hiking in Saxon Switzerland, created in cooperation with the mountain rescue service
• Tips on dealing with deadwood for hikes, especially through dead spruce stands

Please note: The tour runs through the Saxon Switzerland National Park. It is not permitted to leave the paths here and dogs must always be kept on a lead. Only marked paths may be used in the core zone (recognizable by signs in the area). Fines may be imposed for violations. Please also take care to pick up your garbage (including leftover food and tissues).

Further information about the National Park, for example about the rules that apply there and about the path markings, can be found on the National Park website.