Wehlen town: Wehlen Castle Ruins and Steinrücken

The starting point is Stadt Wehlen railway station. After a short ferry crossing, you arrive in the old town and continue on to the market square. The Elbe ferry has been documented since the 15th century and still connects Pötzscha on the left bank of the Elbe with the town centre.

There are several striking features at the market: the Protestant church, a new building from 1883, the market fountain and flood marks on the surrounding houses. A little further on is the ‘Habe’, a historic embankment that used to serve as protection against ice floes on the Elbe.

From the market square, follow the Malerweg uphill to the Wehlen castle ruins. The complex was first mentioned in 1269 as ‘castrum Wylyn’. Among other things, the remains of the curtain wall and the northern bastion, the ‘Trommel’, have been preserved.

After the last steps, turn right and then immediately right again onto the stone ridge. This narrow path offers a small view of the Elbe and the roofs of the town of Wehlen.

At the next junction, keep left, then shortly afterwards left again onto the road that leads to the Wehlener Grund. The descent leads to the Grundbach stream, which, as in the neighbouring grounds, often carries very little water.

The way back continues over the Schlossberg, which you leave via stairs on the right. At the bottom, you reach the Basteiweg, which you follow to the left. Turn left again to return to the market square, continue to the ferry and finally to the railway station.