• Tip
  • 11.55 km long
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Condition: very easy
  • Great panorama
  • Hiking
  • 3:30 h
  • 11.55 km
  • 110 m
  • 141 m
  • 125 m
  • 261 m
  • 136 m
  • Start: Bus turnaround area in Pirna-Liebethal
  • Destination: City of Wehlen
The best way to explore the mystical rocky landscape of the Elbe Sandstone Mountainsis to start in Pirna-Liebethal. On this tour, you’ll wander through wildly romantic valleys that hold a few surprises and that even left the great painter Caspar David Friedrich in awe of their eerie beauty over 200 years ago.
Current closures/detours: https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/gut-zu-wissen/aktuelles

Liebethaler Grund - Mühlsdorf - Coordinate Stone - Lohmen - Uttewalder Grund - City of Wehlen

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

The hike begins in Pirna-Liebethal at the entrance to the romantic Liebethaler Grund. Follow the small Wesenitz River to the Daubemühle, passing the monumental Richard Wagner monument (created by Richard Guhr in 1933) and the remains of the former Lochmühle. You’ll cross the Wesenitz and arrive in Mühlsdorf. On the Alte Lohmstraße, and later along the edge of the forest, you’ll hike to the coordinate marker at 51° N 14° E. From the coordinate marker, the trail leads over the Försterbrücke and along the Querweg to Lohmen. Note: The descent to the Försterbrücke is challenging even with a walking stick and firm footing, and requires a head for heights and sure-footedness. Via the Brückwaldweg and the Schleifgrund, you’ll reach the Uttewalder Grund with its famous rock arch. Rocks line the path all the way to Stadt Wehlen. There, the tour passes the third-oldest medieval castle complex in Saxony and the newly constructed tower of Wehlen Castle. To reach the market square, you must now turn right. The Malerweg continues to the left.

GPS DATA updated in 2021

Tour information

  • Cultural Interesting

  • Stop at an Inn

  • Tour with Dog

Equipment

Sturdy footwear

Directions & Parking facilities

Getting there
  • Take the A4 at the Dresden-West interchange toward Pirna / Prague onto the A17
  • Take the Pirna exit off the A17 and continue toward Pirna on the B 172a
  • Stay on this expressway: pass the exits for Pirna/Heidenau/Bad Schandau; Pirna-Copitz; Graupa/Neustadt/Pillnitz;
  • The road becomes a single lane; pass the Jessen exit
  • Drive through the town of Bonnewitz (speed limit 30!)
  • 500 m after the Bonnewitz town exit sign, turn right toward Liebethal
Parking
Parking - Elbe Parking Lot or Train Station Parking Lot (ferry ride required);

Tip:Long-term parking is available for guests who wish to change accommodations along the way.

Public transportation
Directions:
  • Takethe S1 S-Bahn (Meissen–Schöna) to Pirna
  • From Pirna train station, it’s a 2-minute walk to the ZOB (bus terminal)
  • Bus line G/L (Pirna city transit) to the Pirna Liebethaler Grund stop; on weekends and holidays, only as far as Pirna Gasthaus Jessen

Departure:

Additional information

Pirna Tourist Information: +49 (0) 3501 556446

Accommodation providers certified as “Hiker-Friendly on the Malerweg” along Stage 1

Hiking with a dog: This stage should be easily hikeable with a dog.

Literature

Order now: "Malerweg in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains" ( Published by: Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz e.V.)

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

Side Trip:

Little Saxon Switzerland Miniature Park

This unique interactive world features replicas of famous Elbe Sandstone rock formations. Miniature models of buildings and vehicles offer fascinating insights. Also featured: a gold panning area, a local cinema, a sculptor’s workshop, and much more...

www.kleine-saechsische-schweiz.de

(Distance: 2.6 km | 1 hr)

Safety guidelines

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

Trail Markings

Detailed stage descriptions: https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/wanderungen/malerweg-etappe-1-pirna-liebethal-stadt-wehlen
Please note: Be aware of detours: https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/malerweg/planung/aktuelles

Map

Order here: Malerweg Shop