Hike: Schmilka – Winterberg – Kuhstall – Lichtenhainer Waterfall
- 4:00 h
- 11.04 km
- 649 m
- 612 m
- 131 m
- 543 m
- 412 m
- Start: Schmilka
- Destination: Lichtenhain Waterfall
Schmilka - Kripphorn Viewpoint - Großer Winterberg - Trail to the Wilderness - Frienstein & Idagrotte - Cow Shed - Lichtenhainer Waterfall
Good to know
Best to visit
- suitableDepends on weather
Directions
- You’ll hike from Schmilka via the Bergsteig, the shortest—and therefore steepest—ascent to the Großer Winterberg (with a place to stop for refreshments at the “Großer Winterberg” mountain inn). Before that, a detour to the Kipphornaussicht viewpoint is recommended—the trail follows the “Winterbergstraße” (forest road) for a short stretch. The Kripphornaussicht is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
Continue along the Fremdenweg and the Reitsteig (marked with a blue line) until you reach the fork toward Frienstein (marked with a green line). A detour to the Idagrotte is only suitable for those who aren’t afraid of heights. (The Idagrotte is a rock grotto with a magnificent view of the mountains.)
From Frienstein, steps lead down to the “Königsweg.” Follow this red-marked trail as it turns right and hike below the Affensteine to the junction with the “Malerweg.” Follow this trail until you reach the imposing rock arch “Kuhstall” (where you can stop for refreshments at the “Kuhstall” mountain inn). A climb up the “Himmelsleiter” to the Kuhstall plateau is a worthwhile detour.
From there, the trail leads downhill and ends at the Lichtenhainer Waterfall in the romantic Kirnitzschtal valley, which has been a tourist attraction since the first half of the 19th century.
Tour information
Cultural Interesting
Stop at an Inn
Summit
Equipment
- Sturdy footwear required
Directions & Parking facilities
- Getting there
Take the A17, exit at Pirna or Decin (if coming from Prague), then continue on the B172 toward Bad Schandau until you reach Schmilka.
ParkingLarge parking lot for cars available. Schmilka town center, Kleine Bastei
Public transportationDirections:
Take the S1 to the Schmilka-Hirschmühle stop, then take the ferry (included in the ticket)
Departure:
- Take the Kirnitzschtalbahn to Bad Schandau—from there, S-Bahn and bus connections
- or take bus 241
Additional information
- Local tourist information offices:
Bad Schandau Tourist Information: 035022 900-30
Sebnitz Tourist Information (Altendorf) 035022 42774
Here you’ll find everything you need to know about hiking in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
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Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
- Be sure to visit the two nature trails along the Reitsteig trail, "Weg zur Wildnis."
Safety guidelines
- Idagrotte is only suitable for those who do not suffer from vertigo
Please note: In the Saxon Switzerland National Park, only marked trails may be used in the core zone! Violations may result in fines.
