Schmilkaer Kessel

Hiking in winter does not always mean snow and sunshine. You can also lace up your hiking boots in gray weather and discover the mystical side of Saxon Switzerland. This challenging route is recommended, for example, for such days. The great advantage is that you are almost on your own.

But first of all. When you arrive on the Schmilka side by S-Bahn and ferry, the path immediately leads past nice places to stop. If you are lucky, the mill bakery is even open and you can buy some provisions for the way. However, not too much luggage should be packed in the backpack, as a good ascent awaits right at the beginning. On the paved Winterbergstraße it goes steadily uphill to the junction "Zwieselhütte." Now you continue straight ahead, but on pleasant forest ground. The path over the Heilige Stiege demands a lot of endurance and strength in the thighs, but on the other hand, you are rewarded with many small and larger views. Shortly after follows the grand view from Carolafelsen. From up here you overlook almost the entire front part of Saxon Switzerland. Particularly noticeable are the Dom, Falkenstein, Schrammsteine, and Lilienstein.

Continue on a good path along the Reitsteig. You will pass individual views, such as at the Wenzelwand, or cross the "bark beetle forest." On the Reitsteig, near the climb at Lehnsteig, you can visit the experience and information trails "Ways to Wilderness." The first part, opened in November 2022, shows how diverse and vital the forest has regenerated on its own in 15 years. The second part of the path, opened in October 2023, leads through areas where, already one year after the fire in August 2022, many young birches, mosses, mushrooms, and other plants have naturally regrown. The paths are very well marked and so it is easy to find your way. Over the root path, it then goes back down to Schmilka.