Rathen Spa Town: Hike via the Bastei to Stadt Wehlen

The tour begins at the train station in Kurort Rathen, which is well-suited for both visitors arriving by public transportation and those arriving by car—for whom a large public parking lot is available. Right at the start of our tour, we’ll experience a real rarity—the historic cable ferry in Kurort Rathen, which we’ll take to cross the Elbe. Once we arrive in Kurort Rathen, we follow the signs through the small village toward Amselsee and can enjoy the tranquility of this car-free zone. After just a few hundred meters, we’ll already see the boat landing. On Lake Amselsee, which was created by the dammed-up Grünbach stream, a romantic gondola ride is highly recommended. This is available from April through October.

Afterward, we continue our hike and walk further along the Amselgrund. About 1 km from the boat landing, there’s a fork to the left that takes us to the Schwedenlöcher. Now we climb over 700 steps, numerous iron ladders, and about 160 meters in elevation toward the Bastei. We follow the signs to the Bastei plateau. Once we arrive at the landmark of Saxon Switzerland, we can now enjoy the view that unfolds before us. From numerous vantage points, a panoramic view opens up before us, featuring all the major table mountains—such as the Lilienstein and the Königstein—the Schrammstein range, and the Großer Winterberg. On a clear day, we can even see as far as Bohemian Switzerland and the Ore Mountains.

After taking in these views, we walk across the 76.5-meter-long Bastei Bridge, which spans the Wehlgrund, and can look out toward the Neurathen Rock Castle, which features the remains of a medieval castle complex. After the tour, we walk back across the Bastei Bridge and then follow the road for a short distance (about 250 m) before turning left onto the Fremdenweg (green line and red dot). We walk just under a kilometer before reaching the “Steinerner Tisch” (Stone Table). This is a good spot to take a short break, as the table—where people dined as far back as 1710—is still there.

After this brief rest, we set off on the Schwarzbergweg, which is also part of the Malerweg. This trail takes us a good 2 kilometers downhill until we arrive in Stadt Wehlen, where we’ll have the chance to grab a light meal or a cup of coffee. For the final part of the hike , all we have to do is take the Elbe ferry across and then ride the S-Bahn back to the spa town of Rathen from the nearby train station.

Sure footing and sturdy footwear are required

Hike along well-known attractions in Saxon Switzerland, ascending and descending stairs, visit to the Bastei and Neurathen Rock Castle, places to stop for refreshments available, return trip by public transportation

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Available year-round (except in case of snow or icy conditions; gondolas on Lake Amselsee operate only from April through October)

Please note: In the Saxon Switzerland National Park, only marked trails may be used in the core zone! Violations may result in fines.

Trail Markings

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