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The historic Malerweg used to run from the Großer Winterberg via the Fremdenweg to the Pravčická brána. With the newly created cross-border hiking trail between Schmilka and Hřensko, there is now once again a trail connection to Europe's largest rock gate.
Schmilka - Hřensko - Pravčická brána - Hřensko - Schmilka
Schmilka
Schmilka
In Schmilka, the tour starts at the Bergsteig and leads up to the border trail (marked with a yellow line). About halfway along the border trail, the path branches off to the right: a newly created, well-marked cross-border hiking trail leads across to Hřensko.
The ascent takes you up numerous steps to a plateau. At the top, beautiful views open up again and again - especially of the Zirkelstein and the Kaiserkrone. At the same time, the traces left behind by the forest fire of 2022 become visible here: large damaged areas from which young birch trees are now growing back. With increasing vegetation density, the views will grow back over the next few years.
Once you arrive in Hřensko, follow the road for a while until you reach the "Gabrielensteig" junction. This is where the ascent to Prebischtor begins. It is worth allowing enough time to visit the various viewpoints at your leisure. Important note: There is an entrance fee at the Pravčická brána.
You can then take the same route back to Schmilka or board the hiking boat in Hřensko (always in operation between Easter and the end of October) and return to Schmilka.
Tip: If you would like to extend the tour, you can plan a detour to the phoenix lookout (an additional 3 km there and back). It was built as a symbol of the rebirth of nature after the forest fire in 2022 and illustrates the reactivation forces of nature with pictures and information boards.
GPS - data updated 2026
Please note: Only marked trails may be used in the national parks.
Attention: Please note detour: https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/malerweg/planung/aktuelles or at: https: //nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de/wegeservice
Sturdy shoes required
After the 5th stage on the Malerweg, the hike to the Pravčická brána on the cross-border hiking trail from Schmilka is highly recommended as a starting and finishing point to follow in the footsteps of the historic Malerweg. So it's best to plan an extra night in Schmilka before continuing on the 6th stage.
by car from Dresden via the A17 to Pirna, the B172 and the connecting roads from Königstein to Bad Schandau
Parking lot border crossing (subject to charge)
Arrival and departure:
Bus line 252 - bus stop: Schmilka, border crossing
or
ferry Schmilka - S-Bahn line S1
Bus line 435 Hřensko, Mezná
More information and timetable: https://www.vvo-online.de/de/fahrplan/fahrplanauskunft/index.cshtml
https://www.vvo-online.de/de/tarif-tickets/tarif/Fahrten-in-den-Bezirk-Usti-5444.cshtml
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Tourist information Bad Schandau: +49 (0) 35022 900 50
Tourist information Hřensko: +42 0 412 528 344
Hosts with the "Hiker-friendly on the Malerweg" certificate along the 7th stage
Hiking with your dog:
The hike should be possible with a dog without any problems. At the Prebischtor, however, some viewpoints may only be accessible with dogs via steps.
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