From Stadt Wehlen via the Bastei Bridge to Kurort Rathen

The route starts at the station in Stadt Wehlen. You cross to the other side of the Elbe by ferry. In Stadt Wehlen, we walk a bit upstream, then follow the Malerweg up the Schwarzbergweg and reach the rest area »Stone Table«. The eponymous structure was once commissioned by Elector Augustus the Strong to dine here during a hunt.

From here we follow the Fremdenweg, which leads us to the Bastei Bridge. This probably most well-known bridge in Germany lies almost 200 meters vertically above the Elbe. The stone bridge was constructed in 1851; before that, the rugged rock ridge was accessible by a wooden bridge. From the Bastei Bridge and the surrounding viewpoints (e.g. Ferdinandaussicht, Wedding Pulpit), we enjoy magnificent views over the landscape. A recommended detour is the Neurathen rock castle, which requires an entrance ticket. It was one of the oldest and largest fortifications in the Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland, then known as the double castle Alt- and Neurathen. It was first mentioned in the 13th century. Today, traces of the original dwellings and defensive structures can still be found in the rock – valuable remains to reconstruct the past.

After the visit, we descend the Basteiweg steps down to Kurort Rathen. On nice days, one can enjoy relaxing on the Amselsee with a boat. Afterwards, a well-deserved meal in one of the many restaurants of the spa town Rathen is recommended before crossing back to the left side of the Elbe with the cable ferry to the station.