Hiking in Germany

About 1,200 km of waymarked trails run through lush green forests and mystic valleys, over lofty heights and past bizarre rock formations and lead to ever new breathtaking panoramic views. It is the overwhelming variety of the region that makes hiking in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains such a poignant and unforgettable experience. Varied landscapes unite within a very small space: cliffs, table mountains, plains, gorges, valleys. They call for an expedition to what is left of a primeval nature.

Discover Saxon Switzerland’s “wander-ful” variety. No matter if you are an ambitious athletic hiker or prefer pleasurable strolls – the great variety of hiking options in a small territory like Saxon Switzerland is unique in Germany. Hiking options are as multifaceted as the region is and range from loop tours to multi-day hiking routes and accessible paths.

A mouse click is enough to download the complete routing. If you prefer to hike on the basis of GPS data,  .gpx and .kml tour data are also available to download. Less tech-savvy hikers can access the PDF with tour descriptions and overview maps in the download area of each tour, print it out and take it with them on the hike.  

Tour planner

Classic tours among the most attractive hiking routes in Saxon Switzerland are hikes to Bastei Bridge, to Lilienstein Mountain, Uttewalde Felsentor Rock Gates, Schrammsteine Rocks, Polenztal Valley, Papststein and Pfaffenstein Mountains.

Hiking Highlights in Saxon Switzerland

Or are you looking for lesser known, unusual tours that are as attractive as the well-known ones? Then our recommendations includeHankehübel Hill, Forellensteig Trail, Kohlbornstein Mountain, Kleinsteinhöhle Rock Cave, Wachberg Mountain or Zschirnsteine Mountains, to name just a few.

Unkown Hiking Destinations in Saxon Switzerland

Neither families with prams nor people with limited mobility have to miss out on the inspiring nature experience.

Accessible Hiking Tours

The Malerweg Trail (Painters’Trail) in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is one of Germany’s most beautiful hiking routes. Where painters, musicians and poets were once inspired to create immortal works, today the 116 diverse kilometres of a hiking trail can be followed across the region’s fascinating rocky landscape in eight day stages – and then back again.

 Detailed information about the Malerweg Trail

The famous Bastei Bridge is located above the Elbe River between Kurort Rathen and Stadt Wehlen. The Bastei cliff plunges 194 m down to the Elbe River here and offers a stunning view to all visitors. The visit of Bastei Rock and Bastei Bridge is free of charge.

How to get to Bastei Rock by vehicle?
You can go relatively close to Bastei Rock by bus or by car. From the bus stop/car park it is an about 10 – 15 min easy walk to the Bastei Rock viewing points.

How to hike to Bastei?
Go by regional train (S-Bahn) to Kurort Rathenor to Stadt Wehlen, cross the Elbe River by ferry which is operated on request. From there, follow the signposts. A particular attractive ascent to the Bastei is the Schwedenlöcher (Swede Hole) Trail.

Hiking proposal Bastei