Malerweg, stage 2: From Stadt Wehlen to Hohnstein (official version TV Sächsische Schweiz)

  • 10.91 km long
  • Difficulty: medium
  • Condition: medium
  • Great panorama
  • Hiking
  • 4:45 h
  • 10.91 km
  • 499 m
  • 345 m
  • 114 m
  • 328 m
  • 214 m
  • Start: City of Wehlen
  • Destination: Hohnstein
Demanding hike through the Saxon Switzerland National Park, partly with steps and ladders, several places to stop for refreshments

WARNING: A severe storm caused significant damage in the spa town of Rathen on July 31, 2026. The Amselgrund area—including Amselsee Lake and the Wanderrast rest stop—as well as the Rathen Rock Theater were particularly affected. There is a risk to life due to fallen trees, falling or loose branches, and other hazardous areas. Therefore, the forest is CLOSED in the Amselgrund AREA between Bastei, Rathen, Hohnstein, and the Polenztal valley. The Malerweg trail from Wehlen to Bastei is passable. Please walk directly from the Bastei via Basteistraße and Kirschallee or the Rathewalde footpath to Rathewalde.

As the Schindergraben path in the Polenztal valley, which leads up to Hohnstein, is currently closed, please follow the ‘green line’ signpost from the Polenztal inn up to Hohnstein Castle.

Stadt Wehlen - Schwarzbergweg - rest area "Steinerner Tisch" - Fremdenweg - Bastei - Basteibrücke - Basteiweg - Kurort Rathen - Amselgrund - Felsenbühne Rathen - Amselsee - Amselfall - Rathewalde - Querweg - Hocksteinparkplatz - Hockstein - Wolfsschlucht - Polenztal - Schindergraben - Hohnstein

ATTENTION: Bärengarten in Hohnstein is closed (asphalted path below the castle). Please use the hiking trail that leads around Hohnstein Castle from the closure onwards. This will take you to the Hohnstein market.

Good to know

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

In Stadt Wehlen, we walk a little way up the Elbe, ascend the Schwarzbergweg and reach the "Steinerner Tisch" rest area. The building of the same name was once erected by Elector Augustus the Strong to dine here on the occasion of a hunt. The tourist trail leads us to one of the most famous sights in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, the Bastei. From the Bastei Bridge and the surrounding vistas, we have fantastic views of the landscape. We descend the Basteiweg via steps. From here, you can turn right into the spa town of Rathen to stop off at one of the many restaurants, but you will have to walk back again. In the Amselgrund, we pass the Rathen rock stage with its spectacular natural backdrop. We continue past the Amselsee lake, where we can take a short boat trip, to the Amselfall and then to Rathewalde. The cross-path leads parallel to the road towards the Hockstein parking lot. From there, we hike to the Hockstein and descend the steps of the Wolfsschlucht gorge into the Polenztal valley. The "Schindergraben" nature trail leads to Hohnstein. Here, the castle and the traditional site of the Hohnstein Punch and Judy show at the tourist information center are well worth a visit.

GPS data updated 2021

Tour information

  • Cultural Interesting

  • Stop at an Inn

Equipment

Sturdy shoes required

Directions & Parking facilities

Getting there

Autobahn A17: from the A4 at the Dresden-West interchange, take the A17 to the Pirna junction, stay on the feeder road (S 51) until the Pillnitz / Pirna-Copitz exit. Drive in the direction of Pirna-Copitz.

From Dresden via the B172 to Pirna: In Pirna, cross the Elbe bridge via Pirna-Copitz to the Stadt Wehlen junction or OT Pötzscha (left-hand side, station side): then continue on the B172 through Pirna in the direction of Pirna-Sonnenstein to the Struppen junction (turn left), through Struppen to the "Stadt Wehlen" junction

through Dresden in the direction of Pillnitz: (Pillnitzer Landstraße), via Graupa to Pirna (P.-Copitz)

Parking

Elbe parking lot or train station parking lot (ferry crossing necessary)

Public transportation

How to get there:

Departure:

Additional information

Tourist information Hohnstein: +49 (0) 035975 19433 or 86813

Tourist information Kurort Rathen: +49 (0) 035024 70422

Tourist information Wehlen: +49 (0) 035024 70414

Hosts with the "Hiker-friendly on the Malerweg" certificate along the 2nd stage

Hiking with a dog:

You can avoid the steep and narrow descent via iron steps into the Wolfsschlucht gorge by taking the nature trail to Hohnstein.

Literature

Order now: "Maerweg Elbsandsteingebirge"(Publisher: Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz e.V.)

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

The Rathen Rock Theatre is located in the heart of the Saxon Switzerland National Park. Surrounded by wild beauty and a unique rocky landscape, a unique theater experience awaits you - the Felsenbühne Festival. Enjoy impressive musical, opera and drama highlights against a wild and romantic backdrop. Experience the fascination of the Felsenbühne Rathen as the finale of your Malerweg adventure on the 2nd stage! Program & tickets: www.felsenbuehne-rathen.de

(Detour distance: 0.5 km)

Safety guidelines

Accessible all year round, not in icy and snowy conditions

Please note: in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, only marked trails may be used in the core zone!

Path markings

Detailed stage descriptions: https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/wanderungen/malerweg-etappe-2-stadt-wehlen-hohnstein

Please note detours: https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/malerweg/planung/aktuelles

Map

Buy here: Malerweg-Shop