From Porschdorf via the Brand and Gamrig to Rathen
- 4:30 h
- 8.59 km
- 385 m
- 402 m
- 113 m
- 342 m
- 229 m
- Start: Porschdorf train station
- Destination: Rathen train station
The route is around 8.5 kilometers long, which is not very long, but the climbs - especially the over 800 steps up to the Brand - are somewhat demanding, which is why it is classified as moderately difficult.
The route initially leads from Porschdorf through the beautiful Tiefen Grund to the Brand steps and then up to the Brandaussicht, from which you have a breathtaking view. Then it goes through the impressive Schulzengrund into the Polenz valley and from there via the Füllhölzelweg to the Gamrig - a very spectacular viewing rock near Rathen.
After exploring the Gamrig and the Gamrig cave, the route then goes through the Aspichgraben directly to Rathen, where the tour ends.
Good to know
Best to visit
Directions
It starts at the train station in Porschdorf, from where you first follow the street to the left and the red dot to the entrance to the Polenz valley. Then you follow the sign with the blue stripe through the Tiefen Grund to the Brand to the Brandaussicht.
You should definitely not miss the area behind the Brandbaude with the Thümmel grotto, where it is usually a bit quieter and you also have a spectacular view.
From the Brandaussicht you then continue a bit along the Brand until a sign with a red stripe points to the left into the Schulzengrund to the Waltersdorfer Mühle. Once in the Polenz valley, you cross the Polenz and walk past the Walterdorfer Mühle a bit through the Polenz valley until the path with the red stripe branches off to the left out of the valley.
Then you follow the Füllhölzelweg a good stretch uphill until you reach a road, cross it and then continue downhill again following the red stripe.
You have to be a bit attentive now, because in the Grund the turnoff to the left to the Gamrig behind a large rock wall is not signposted, even though at first it is a wide forest path that leads over a bridge.
Then you follow the path up to the Gamrig, which you must leave the same way you climbed it. Only then you turn left and walk to the road, from where it goes briefly left again up to the Gamrig cave.
From the Gamrig cave you then walk back a short stretch and beside the road to the left into the Asprichgraben, which then leads directly to Rathen.
In Rathen you then walk through the alleys to the Elbe, cross it by ferry and walk up to the right on the other side of the Elbe to the station, the end of the tour.
Tour information
Stop at an Inn
Equipment
With binoculars you can experience the views even better!
Directions & Parking facilities
If you absolutely must travel by car, the best place to park is at the station in Bad Schandau, where you must also return by S-Bahn from Rathen. (There are only limited and paid parking options in Rathen itself)
Best to travel by S-Bahn from Dresden to Bad Schandau and then with the National Park Railway U28 from Bad Schandau National Park Station to Porschdorf.
VVO connection information to Porschdorf stop
National Park Railway U28 timetable: https://www.vvo-online.de/de/tarif-tickets/tarif/Nationalparkbahn.cshtml
Return trip with the S-Bahn from spa town Rathen - VVO connection information: https://www.vvo-online.de/de/fahrplan/fahrplanauskunft
Additional information
The route description includes links to further information about key locations!
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
The route is planned from Porschdorf train station to Rathen train station, where you have to cross the Elbe by a ferry that does NOT belong to the VVO (Upper Elbe Transport Association) and therefore must be paid for separately.
From the Brand you not only have a wonderful view but can also stop at the Brandbaude for very delicious meals. The same applies to the Waltherdorfer Mühle in the Polenz valley, which is also on the way.
However, despite the possibility to stop for food, you should have enough provisions of your own and generally wear sturdy footwear for your own safety.
Safety guidelines
The Gamrig has an unsecured summit without railings with steep edges, so special caution should be exercised here, especially with children!
Nearby
