Bielatal: Through the bizarre rock world with many viewpoints

The hike starts at the parking lot at the blast furnace or at the Rosenthal-Bielatal Brausenstein stop. Directly opposite the parking lot stands a large restored blast furnace that can be visited. The route begins along the lightly trafficked road towards Schweizermühle. Approximately 300m after crossing a small bridge, turn left uphill towards Bertablick and Kleine Bastei (signpost: yellow dot). These two beautiful viewpoints overlooking Schweizermühle are the first highlights of the route. 

The Schweizermühle district was once an old hammer mill with a mill and flourished in the 19th century as a cold water sanatorium. In 1912, the Maggi company acquired the bankrupt facility and used the site as a holiday home for its employees. It served as a tuberculosis sanatorium until 1962 and then as a retirement home. The ravages of time have been gnawing at the once magnificent and now vacant buildings since the political change.

A detour to the mystical memorial grove, which branches off directly after the Kleine Bastei viewpoint, is highly recommended. Then continue down through the rose garden. If desired, you can also take in the view from the Wetterfahnenfels beforehand, though it is somewhat overgrown. From the rose garden, follow the path uphill, which leads back to the road. Follow this road downhill for a short distance, then turn left following the signpost (yellow dot) over a small bridge to dive back into the world of rocks.

Once at the top, there is one or two things to discover. Whether the many boundary stones adorned with a crown, a romantic ruin reminiscent of Rapunzel, or the Kaiser Wilhelm Fort, a battlemented turret built in 1880 as a viewpoint.

Shortly afterward, a branch leads right downhill between the rocks. Over a rock passage with iron steps, you gain some height again. Here awaits the next spectacular view: the Hercules columns. It's hard to believe climbers trust their lives to these delicate rock companions. Green triangles point to viewpoints, so it is worth occasionally leaving the path to enjoy the views.

The yellow dot trail leads past further rock passages, over a narrow path uphill, and with a scenic view on the right side towards Mühlweg. From there, a detour to the Großvaterstuhl viewpoint can be added. Mühlweg leads downhill into the valley; half the route is now completed.

The dining options along the way, traditional inn Ottomühle or the snack bar Dachsensteinbaude, offer a chance to refresh before continuing to the next climb.

Follow the road along the Biela for about 200m, then turn left onto the Kerbensteig (marked green dot). The next summit awaits: Johanniswacht with its beautiful view over Bielatal to the opposite Kaiser Wilhelm Fort. After some time, having reached the summit happiness of Sachsenstein, the route now follows the yellow dot to the Nachbar viewpoint - the last rock to be climbed on this tour. 

To get there, descend again to the Sophien Spring and from here follow the signpost AP Nachbar (difficult ascent). Carl Merkel already wrote in 1825: "If our time and physical strength permit, we will climb the... Mr. Nachbar, a magnificent rock formation with a surprising view."

Finally, the path leads back down. At the forest chapel, turn left onto the Poststeig (watch out not to miss the turn). Follow it back to the historic blast furnace and thus reach the starting point.

GPS data updated 2022

Coming from Dresden on the A17, drive to Pirna. From here it is only about 15 km to Rosenthal-Bielatal.

Parking lot Bielatal blast furnace (paid; free with guest card from Rosenthal-Bielatal)

Arrival/ Departure:

Stop: Bielatal, Brausenstein

• Bielatal line: 242 (Königstein)
• Bielatal line: 245 (Pirna)

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In winter, with light snowfall, it is especially spectacular and above all peaceful here. However, beware of icy conditions.

Order now: Sachsenkarto: Rosenthal-Bielatal & Surroundings