Rathen - Rathen

Rathen from the Bastei's point of view.jpg
Rathen
federal stateSaxony
Residents
350 (2020)
height
112 m
Tourist info 49 (0)35024 70422
kurort-rathen.de
no tourist info on Wikidata: Add tourist information
location
Location map of Saxony
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Rathen

The health resort Rathen lies at the feet of the famous Bastion in the Saxon Switzerland in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. With just under 400 inhabitants, Rathen is one of the smallest independent communities in Germany. It belongs to the administrative community of Königstein / Saxon Switzerland.

background

View from the bastion into the Wehl- and Amselgrund

Rathen is divided into two parts:

  • right elbow is north of the district Niederrathen
  • left Elbe is south of the district of Oberrathen

getting there

By plane

The Dresden AirportWebsite of this institutionDresden Airport in the Wikipedia encyclopediaDresden Airport in the media directory Wikimedia CommonsDresden Airport (Q657005) in the Wikidata database(IATA: DRS) is the closest commercial airport.

By train

1 The S-Bahn line S1 Direction Bad Schandau or Schöna leaves every half hour Meissen above Dresden and Pirna to Rathen. From Dresden main station it takes 37 minutes.

2 From the train station Rathen health resort you have to go with a Yaw ferry still cross the Elbe to get to the cozy town center and the sights (see ferry times mobility). Verbund tickets are not accepted on this ferry.

By car

From Dresden on the autobahn A17 Direction Prague to the Pirna exit. More on the B 172 through Pirna. The 3 There is a large car park (chargeable) to the left of the Elbe in Oberrathen. From here you take the passenger ferry over to Niederrathen on the side of the bastion. There are no large parking spaces in the valley to the right.

By boat

From Dresden / Terrassenufer you can take ships of the Saxon Steamship Company. But: long travel time of 3:45 hours to Rathen. In the 2019 summer season there will be a departure from Dresden Terrassenufer from 9:30 a.m. See timetable www.saechsische-dampfschiffahrt.de.

By bicycle

  • Via the well-developed Elbe Cycle Route from Dresden (see also Elbe cycle path). The bike path runs on the left side of the river. To visit Rathen you take the ferry.

mobility

Map of Rathen
View of the yaw ferry

Rathen can easily be explored on foot. Niederrathen (located on the right-hand side of the bastion) is largely closed to motor vehicle traffic, only hotel guests are allowed to briefly drive into the village for loading and unloading. The parking spaces at the entrance to the village are reserved for hotel guests and employees, there are additional parking spaces a little outside the village (mandatory?), The main parking lot is on the other side of the Elbe in Oberrathen (chargeable, max. 4 € / day) and you can then take the Ferry to the main town.

The historical Yaw ferry connects Niederrathen and Oberrathen. The ferry uses the current of the river as a drive. Despite a capacity of 322 people, there can be waiting times, especially on Sundays when the weather is nice. A motorized ferry is used during high tide, which increases the fare.

Ferry times:

  • Winter season 1st Nov - 14th May: Monday to Friday: 4.30 a.m. - 11.45 p.m.; Sat, Sun and public holidays: 5.30 a.m. - 11.45 p.m.
  • Summer season May 15 - Oct 31, Monday to Friday: 4:30 a.m. - 12:45 a.m.; Sat, Sun and public holidays: 5:30 a.m. - 0:45 a.m. (data status 09-2014)

Fares of the yaw ferry: (As of 01/2016)

Adults: One way: € 1.00; Return ticket: € 1.80
Reduced: One way: € 0.50; Return ticket: € 0.80

Fares from midnight and at high tide (from Schöna water level 4.35 m):

Adults: One way: 1.30 €; Return ticket: € 2.10
Reduced: One way: 0.80 €; Return ticket: € 1.10

The reduced fare applies to holders of the Rathen guest card, severely disabled people, children from 6 to 16 years as well as dogs and bicycles (data as of 09-2012). Tickets of the transport association or the OVPS are not valid on the ferry.

For information on regional public transport, see here in the article Saxon Switzerland

Tourist Attractions

The Bastei bridge - landmark of Saxon Switzerland
View of the Bastei bridge from Ferdinandstein, in the background the Lilienstein

Bastion

1 The Bastei is the most famous rock formation in Saxon Switzerland. The rock massif with several beautiful viewpoints is a good 190 m above the Elbe to Rathen. It is known Bastei bridge with rock castle Neurathen.1 The famous Bastei bridge is freely accessible. In 1851 the 76.5 m long sandstone bridge was built. It spans the 40 m deep “Mardertelle” gorge with seven arches.2 The Felsburg Neurathen, on the other hand, costs admission (adults € 2.00; children € 1.00).

From Niederrathen, a scenic but steep hiking trail leads to the Bastei. You should be aware that the bastion is not an insider tip and, when the weather is right, it is visited by crowds, especially on Sundays and public holidays.

4 Arrival by bus of Pirna: Regional bus 237 possibly in combination with the PR bus (Change in Rathewalde P R-Platz, both VVO tariff)
5 Park: If the parking lot, which is within walking distance of the bastion, is full, you have to go to the 6 Large car park at Rathenwalde 3 km north of the bastion. A changeable sign shows at the bottom whether it is still allowed to become a bastion. A shuttle bus (info) then runs at least every 30 minutes. The parking fee is unlimited and includes a bus transfer to the bastion.
Suggested circular hike for a small 2-hour circuit Rathen - Bastei - Schwedenlöcher - Amselsee - Rathen see section "Hiking" under "Activities".
Panorama: You can scroll the picture horizontally.
Since there was no
Image: pano_bastei_ds_wv_06_2010.jpg
Since there was no "tourist traffic jam" at the bastion at around 6 p.m. on the evening of June 16, 2010, this panorama of the most beautiful part of the famous bastion view could be created in peace. You can see a wide view of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Rathen is down on the Elbe. On the far right of the picture is the striking Lilienstein.

More Attractions

For more viewpoints and hiking destinations, see also section hike.

Amselsee with locomotive rocks in the background (only accessible to climbers)
  • 3  Sweden holes. The rock bottom of the Schwedenlöcher is a romantic rock canyon with more than 700 steps. It connects Rathen with the bastion. During the Thirty Years War, the farmers in the area hid from the Swedes here, hence the name Schwedenlöcher. A stairway leads from the Bastei plateau through the Schwedenlöcher to the Amselgrund. The route is no longer an insider tip and is therefore very busy.
  • 4  Amselsee in the Amselgrund. Numerous rocky cliffs and the Amselsee can be found in the romantic Felstal. From the Amselsee (with rowing boat rental: 30 minutes € 2.60 in 06-2008; tickets are available from the machine) you have a beautiful view of the locomotive rock. By the way, the lake is a 500 m long reservoir. In the upper valley area there is also the 10 m high Amselfall.
  • 5  Blackbird fall. 10 m high waterfall. At the Amselfall the informs Saxon Switzerland National Park with an information point. Attention as of 03-2019: Due to a rock fall in 2017, Amselfallbaude, information point and toilet are closed until further notice. Rock securing work is necessary. The hiking trail at Amselfall is accessible and runs under a protective roof.
  • 6  Rathen Railway Worlds (opposite the large car park in Oberrathen). There is a model railroad demonstration on a scale of 1: 22.5. The garden has 4.5 km of tracks. The railway is on the left side of the Elbe in Oberrathen (in the area of ​​the train station).Open: in the summer months from April daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission is at 5 p.m.). in the summer months from April daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission is at 5 p.m.). in the summer months from April daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission is at 5 p.m.). In bad weather, driving may be restricted.Price: € 6.50, reduced: € 6, children 6-16 years: € 4, family ticket: € 16, photo permit € 1.last change: Apr. 2019

activities

hike

  • Hike along the meadow path on the left bank of the Elbe Wehlen, district Pötzscha, with an unobstructed view of the rock formation and the bastion, approx. 1 hour. The path is not excellent, but it is easy to walk with sturdy shoes. To view the hiking suggestions in the map system: It is best to select the "Relief map" in the settings and activate the "Hiking trails" level.

Circular hike Bastei - Schwedenlöcher - Amselgrund

Exit to the bastion: View from the Tiedge view of Oberrathen with the train station.

This little circular hike from Rathen is no longer an "insider tip". Depending on the travel time (for example excursion Sundays in May) the stairway through the Schwedenlöcher is already heavily used. In a small space you can discover the wildness and at the same time the beauty of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in a very small space. The round is in the national park. Walking time: From the Kurort Rathen train station, around 3 to a maximum of 3.5 hours with around 250 meters of altitude. The hiking and stair paths are all well secured with handrails. However, when it is wet, the wooden steps can be slippery.

  • Starting point Niederrathen: Here branches off in the village (street Amselgrund) 7 the well-developed stairway to the bastion. From here it is around 180 meters in altitude to the Berghotel / Bastei bridge (walking time 30 - 40 minutes one way). The stairway plunges into the forest. Shortly before the rock step is a detour to 2 Tiedge view possible (Elbblick)
  • The further ascent is through a crevice with a well-developed stairway. Another detour is possible here: to the 3 Kanapee viewpoint (also view of the Elbe). Now you come to the entrance of the Felsburg Neurathen past (Info Wikipedia, the visit is possible for an entrance fee of 2 €). Next destination is the famous one Bastei bridge.
  • Detour to 4 Ferdinandstein with the well-known view of the bridge: about 5 minutes from the Bastei bridge. There may be a little waiting time here, as there is a small viewing platform. The branch at 8 has no signposts.
  • Visit of the famous Bastei views with a formerly good view of the Elbe: there is usually a lot going on here. As of 05-2019, however, the bastion view is closed in the front part due to the risk of rock falls (should be restored 8https: //www.medienservice.sachsen.de/medien/news/214485? Page = 1). The closure is, however, no drama for hikers on this round, because from the Tiedgeaussicht and the "Kanapee" there were already similar valley views of the Elbe.
  • Past the mountain hotel, it goes along the Basteistraße to the junction at 9 . From the asphalt road, branch off diagonally to the right onto the smaller, signposted hiking trail towards Schwedenlöcher. Warning: the sign can be overlooked. Now follow the signs to Schwedenlöcher. At 10 a "vantage point" is signposted diagonally to the right. If you want, you can take a detour to 5 Make the pavilion view (look into the Wehlgrund).
  • 11 Beginning of the stairway in the Sweden holes Direction Amselgrund. There is also a rest area with a refuge here. The further path to the east to the "Großer Gans" is closed to hikers. It is only an approach to climbing routes.
  • In the valley is at 12 a detour to "Amselfall" waterfall (10 m high) as well as for National park information center possible (currently closed due to the risk of rock falls).
  • Otherwise on Amselsee back to Rathen. If you want, you can rent a rowing boat on the Amselsee.

Hike Oberrathen - Rauensteine ​​- Pötzscha - (City of Wehlen)

View from the Rauensteinen towards Lilienstein.

The 304 m high rock massif of the 6 Rauensteine ​​can be found south of the Elbe with a view of the bastion. The Rauensteinstieg leads from the train station to the rock massif. Above consists in the 1  Mountain restaurant Fels Rauenstein. Tel.: (0)35021 67881. Open: around April to October 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. a refreshment stop. The Rauensteinstieg can be reached through the underpass at the train station (marking first red crossbar, then yellow crossbar in the final ascent). It is a good idea to cross the rocks from east to west. The "yellow crossbar" leads over the rocks down to Pötzscha. From Pötzscha either return by train or take the ferry and from the city of Wehlen return by paddle steamer on the Elbe. Otherwise there is the Elbuferweg between train and foot (but rather monotonous route for "march step"). Walking time: not known in detail, but small half-day tour from Rathen train station

Fire viewing tour

The 7 "Brandaussicht" is an attractive vantage point high above the Polenz valley. The place with 250 years of tourism history is also known as the "balcony of Saxon Switzerland". in the 2  Mountain inn "Brand-Baude" there is a possibility to stop for a break. The route length of this smaller day tour is about 5 km to 6 km simply at around 300 meters of altitude. For more information see also Wikipedia article Brand_ (Saxon_Switzerland)

Panorama: You can scroll the picture horizontally.
Labeled panorama of the fire view
Image: Saxon Switzerland view from the Brandaussicht.jpg
Labeled panorama of the fire view

Route: In Niederrathen at the guest's house 13 keep to the left and walk about 100 meters to the "Füllhölzelweg" 14 Hikers' parking lot on the country road climb up (marked red crossbar). From here on a stepped path down to the Polenz valley. Bottom right towards the excursion restaurant 3  Waltersdorfer Mill. Open: Thu - Sun (according to Openstreetmap). hold. At 15 Narrow Keep Left. Here at the bridge turn left again immediately. At 16 the ascent through the Schulzengrund to the fire view begins at an angle to the right. Up on the plateau on Brandstrasse (17 ) keep right. After a few minutes on the driveway, the fire prospect is reached.

Round trip to Hohnstein

View of Hohnstein Castle from the Ritterstein.

The mountain town Mockery is a nice hiking destination. From Rathen there is a more demanding round tour over the Hockstein and back over the Halbenweg and Füllhözelweg (almost 16 km with roughly 500 meters of altitude). If you want, you can also visit the fire view (then a good 18 km).

Hike to the Hohbrukersdorfer Rundblick

The excursion to the Hohbrukersdorfer Rundblick is a small day hike (can also be combined with the Bastei bridge and the Schwedenloeches). From up here there is a panoramic view of almost all of Saxon Switzerland. The view is north of Rathenwalde at an altitude of about 380 m. The position on 7  Napoleon stone in the open field offers a very nice panoramic view. Some benches along the way invite you to linger. Of Rathen (located at about 100 m above sea level) it is an easy 5 km walk through the romantic Amselgrund and the village of Rathenwalde (refreshment stops) to the lookout point.

Walk on the Gamrig

View from Gamrig into the Elbe valley towards Wehlen
  • 8  Lookout point "Felsplateau Gamrig". The small, 253 m high rock plateau is located east of Oberrathen. From up here there is a further south view (including the Elbe valley in the direction of Wehlen and the Lilienstein). A stepped path opens up the cliffs, which are away from the main streams of tourists. The artist Caspar David Friedrich drew the Gamrig as early as 1808. He used the motif in his work in 1818 "The wanderer over the Nebel sea". Attention: There are no handrails on top of the rock plateau. On the southern slope of the Gamrig there is a 20 m long artificial" cave "(freely accessible, access from below from the county road, flashlight is useful) Gamrig.Price: freely accessible.

shop

Center in Niederrathen on the side of the bastion

In the center of Rathen there is a grocery store that also sells hiking maps.

  • 1  Aunt Uwe Laden, Am Grünbach 2, 01824 Rathen. Tel.: 49 (0)35024 795044. Smaller grocery store.Open: Mon - Sat 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

kitchen

  • 4  Café am Hirschgrund, Wehlener Weg 12, 01824 Kurort Rathen. Tel.: (0)35024 79132, Email: . Beer garden and 2 holiday apartments (overnight stay from 45 €) are available.Open: Tue - Sun 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Mondays are closed.

nightlife

Doesn't exist in town. But if you want to party all night, you can do so in Dresden to do.

accommodation

Generally:

  • Accommodation directory on the website of Rathen.
  • 6  Pension & restaurant Panorama, To the small bastion No. 4, 01824 Kurort Rathen. Tel.: (0)35024 70669, Fax: (0)35024 79708, Email: . Restaurant with regional and national cuisine.Feature: pension.Price: single room from € 35, double room from € 70.

health

Practical advice

  • 1  House of the guest (Tourist information), 01824 Kurort Rathen, Füllhölzelweg 1. Tel.: 49 (0)35024 70422, Fax: 49 (0)35024 70074, Email: . Open: Summer (Easter-Oct): Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Sat / Sun / Fe 9 a.m.-2 p.m., in winter Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. : 00-12: 00 and 13: 00-15: 00, Tue until 6:00 p.m., Fri only until 2:00 p.m.

trips

  • Excursion or hike to the fortress Koenigstein Fortress - Königstein can be reached by paddle steamer across the Elbe. Alternatively, you can also take the S-Bahn to one station. From Königstein it is a 2 km walk up to the fortress (with about 230 m).
Those who are in good shape can start the hike in Rathen and continue on the 411 m high on the way Lilienstein visit (the Elbe can be crossed with a passenger ferry at Königsstein). Distance then from Niederrathen about 8-9 km easy with 500 m).
  • to Dresden -A day trip to Dresden is easy to do with the S-Bahn.

literature

Web links

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