The Saxon Switzerland is about 40 km southeast of Dresden and forms the German part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
For nature lovers, this region is one of the most beautiful travel destinations in Saxony. Especially on beautiful summer weekends, crowds of people come to Saxon Switzerland to hike, climb, stroll and relax. It is worth getting up early at this time and exploring the many mountains and gorges in the fresh morning air.
Large parts of the mountain range are covered by the Saxon Switzerland National Park protected.
places
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Upstream:
- Pirna - Gate to Saxon Switzerland with a nice old town.
- City of Wehlen - Miniature park "Little Saxon Switzerland".
- spa Rathen - Much-visited health resort with the famous bastion and a wild, pristine rock landscape around the Amselgrund.
- Koenigstein - The stately Königstein fortress lies high above the town.
- Bad Schandau - Center of the Upper Saxon Switzerland with National Park House.
hinterland to the right of the Elbe:
- Mockery - small mountain town with a castle, which is located high above the Polenz valley.
- Hinterhermsdorf - pretty village in the "farthest corner" of Saxon Switzerland. It is very popular Upper lock with a boat trip.
- Sebnitz - known for its primeval park.
- Stumble - The landmark is Stolpen Castle.
left Elbe hinterland:
- Rosenthal-Bielatal - The Bielagrund with its bizarre rock towers is ideal for hiking.
- Gohrisch - Community on the plateau with beautiful rock formations. Here you can find, among other things. the Pfaffenstein with the Barbarine, one of the landmarks of the region. The Shostakovich Festival takes place here every year. In 1960 Shostakovich composed the 8th string quartet in the former guest house of the Council of Ministers, today's Parkhotel Albrechtshof Gohrisch. Gohrisch is beautifully situated at 330 m above sea level and absolutely free of fog. The first climatic health resort in Saxony is located in the heart of Saxon Switzerland. All excursion destinations can be easily reached from here.
- Reinhardtsdorf-Schöna - Located high above the Elbe Valley. Starting point for walks and hikes to the Kaiserkrone, the Zirkelstein and the Kleinem- and Großem Zschirnstein.
Other goals
- Bohemian Switzerland National Park with the famous Prebischtor (rock gate)
background
The sandstone mountains, with an average height of 400 m, are extraordinarily eroded and fissured and it is precisely this nature that contributes to the natural beauty of the area. Vertical rock walls and rock pillars protruding freely from them of adventurous and fantastic shapes, built in terraces one above the other at certain intervals or cut off horizontally, alternate with wide valleys where wine, fruit and garden crops thrive, and narrow, ravine-like grounds that only come here and there lonely mill enlivens.
getting there
By plane
The nearest commercial airport is in Dresden. Further landing sites for private and glider pilots are located in Pirna, Kamenz and Grossenhain.
Also the Prague airport is not too far away and the Eurocity Dresden - Prague drives through the Elbe Valley and stops in Bad Schandau, in the middle of Saxon Switzerland.
By train
You can easily travel to Saxon Switzerland by train:
- Bad Schandau and Decin hl.n. are EC stops on the Dresden - Prague route.
- The S-Bahn line S1 runs directly along the Elbe through Saxon Switzerland. From Meissen It takes you via all major Dresden train stations to Pirna and from there onwards City of Wehlen, Rathen, Koenigstein, Bad Schandau to Schöna, across from the Czech town Hřensko lies.
- Every 2 hours there is a connection to the Rumburk regional train in Bad Schandau - Sebnitz - Bad Schandau - Schöna - Děčín hl.n.
- At the weekend, the S-Bahn will be strengthened and a regional express train (RE 50) runs from Leipzig via Dresden to Schöna.
In the street
The fastest route from Dresden is via the autobahn A17 Direction Prague to the Pirna exit. From there you follow the B172a or the B172 Direction Bad Schandau. For more information on how to get here for a day trip, visit mobility.
By boat
From Dresden / Terrassenufer the ships of the Saxon Steamship Company. They use beautiful old paddle steamers and modern diesel ships that comfortably cruise up the Elbe. Before doing this, you should make sure what kind of ship you will be sailing with in order to land on one of the paddle steamers if possible. Those interested also pay attention to the prime movers! Before 1990 they were fired with coal, but today they are heated with oil.
By bicycle
There is Elbe cycle path along the Elbe. Mainly the almost car-free path is on the left bank of the Elbe. Between the old suspension bridge Blaues Wunder in Dresden and Pirna the way is also on the right Elbe Pillnitz Castle Signposted, first leads along the Elbe, but then on a busy road with no cycle path. Between Dresden-Pillnitz and Pirna, the route continues on a narrow side street. The alternative stone-paved canvas path is very bumpy.
mobility
Public transport
In Saxon Switzerland you can also go on holiday without your own car. The prerequisite, however, is to look for a place to stay in a location that is convenient for public transport. Here come the places in the Elbe Valley on the S-Bahn, such as Bad Schandau, Rathen, Königstein (Saxon Switzerland), City of Wehlen or the city Pirna in question.
All public transport offers in the Tourist timetable 2019 of the national park region of Saxon Bohemian Switzerland.
The travels along the Elbe Dresdener S1 with double-deck car every half hour to Bad Schandau and every hour further to Schöna. Regional trains run on the Decin - Schöna - Bad Schandau - Sebnitz - Rumburk route, usually every two hours. Hiking, cycling and regional buses complement the transport network and, due to the large number of tourists, run at an attractive rate during the season. The most important nodes of bus traffic are the 1 Pirna bus station (adjacent to the west of the train station, the stop is referred to in the timetable as "Bad Schandau National Park Train Station"), the one close to the city 2 Bus node "Bad Schandau Elbkai" and the bus stop near the train station in Königstein (name "Königstein Reissigerplatz / Bahnhof") 3 )
Buses from Pirna and Sebnitz (line 237, possibly with a short change to the PR bus) go to the Bastei.
The entire area (in Germany) belongs to the tariff area of the Verkehrsverbund Oberelbe (VVO). With one ticket you can use all public transport (exceptions: Kirnitzschtalbahn, ferry in Rathen). There is specific information on the route and timetables on the website Internet presence. Important: When purchasing VVO tickets from the machine, do not forget to validate them.
The Sachsenticket is recognized. Taking bicycles with you costs extra here. If you also want to go to Bohemia, you can Elbe-Labe ticket with which all means of transport in the Usti district can be used.
Almost every place on the Elbe has a ferry connection for people and cyclists to the opposite side.
There are also several lines of the Basteikraxler at a price of 3 - 12 € to various interesting places (no VVO tariff).
By car
There are only bridges over the Elbe in Pirna and Bad Schandau. Parking spaces at starting points for hiking tours are chargeable. Furthermore, during the season there are often no more parking spaces at these parking spaces. At the bastion this means that the road is closed and you have to park your car about 3 km in advance in the reception car park. A P R bus, which is subject to a fee, then drives from here. Occasionally there can be traffic jams during the season.
By bicycle
There are beautiful asphalted routes along the Elbe Cycle Path and along the Kirnitzschtal valley. In the national park you are only allowed to ride a bike on signposted paths (in principle this is not punished, but many paths are not suitable for cycling either). To protect nature and conflicts with hikers (often very narrow paths), you should only use the official routes there. In addition one map. There are also many driving Bicycle buses.
wheelchair
Find wheelchair users here drivable routes in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
Tourist Attractions
Mountains and viewpoints
Regionally important mountains and vantage points, which can be reached via hiking trails, secured stairs and stairs, are briefly described here. Climbing rocks please below activities describe. Local prospects are listed in the local articles, otherwise the list will be too confusing.
- 1 Bastion (305 m) near Rathen - for many the most magnificent view in Saxon Switzerland. Therefore also very popular. You can see the famous sandstone bridge, the famous Bastei view of the Elbe and the Neurathen Castle (entrance fee). For more information see article Rathen.
- 2 Lilienstein. (415 m) - striking table mountain in the Elbe loop near Königstein. Due to its secluded location, the mountain is also known as the "King of the Table Mountains" in Saxon Switzerland. On the mountain there are various viewpoints with a view of the Elbe and a mountain hut (open from April to October). The highest point on the plateau is marked by the weather obelisk. The 16 m high structure was built in 1889 on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the house of the Wettiner built. How to get there by car to Lilienstein: Wanderparkplatz bei 4 (charges apply). How to get there by public transport: To Königsstein train station. From here take the ferry towards the ascent to Lilienstein.
- 3 Pfaffenstein with Barbarine (434 m). The much-visited Pfaffenstein is located south of Koenigstein. The 4 Barbarine, a 45 m high rock tower on Table Mountain, is the symbol of Saxon Switzerland (see also Barbarine on Wikipedia). The approach to the mountain with the observation tower, Mountain restaurant and viewpoints takes place via Pfaffendorf.
- 5 Schrammsteine (up to 425 m) - Imposing rock formation on the Elbe between Bad Schandau and the district Schmilka is located. There are several viewpoints on the much-visited Schrammsteins. The best known is the Schrammstein view at an altitude of 417 m. In front of the Schrammstein is the striking, single standing Falkenstein (only accessible to climbers). A secured ridge path runs over the Hintere Schrammsteinkette.
- Monkey stones (up to 458 m) - Well-known, strongly fissured rock formation east of the Schrammsteine. The main vantage point is the 458 m high 1 Carola rocks with a beautiful valley view to the west. The upper Affenstein promenade with beautiful valley views is an attractive hiking trail. For more information, see the article on National park.
- Pope stone (452 m) with numerous viewpoints and summit gastronomy at Gohrisch
- 2 Brand lookout point. (317 m) with Mountain inn southern Mockery. Famous vantage point, which is 177 m above the Polenz valley.
- Great winter mountain (556 m) with mountain hotel and observation tower on the border with the Czech Republic
- 6 Great Zschirnstein. (577 m) - highest table mountain in the German Elbe Sandstone Mountains. There is a lookout point at the southern tip.
- 7 Gohrisch (440 m) - beautiful table mountain with a viewpoint at Gohrisch. From the mountain you have a very spacious view of many peaks of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The Gohrisch can be recognized from afar by its weather vane, which was set up in 1967. For more see article Gohrisch.
- Little bear stone (338 m) with a viewpoint about 3 km southwest of Rathen
- Great Bear Stone (327 m) with the Riegelhofstiege (unsecured, but easy via ferrata)
- Hockstein opposite Hohnstein - view of the Polenz valley and Hohnstein with castle
- 3 Zirkelstein (385 m). southeast of Bad Schandau near Schöna.
- 4 Kaiserkrone (351 m) small table mountain with views southeast of Bad Schandau near Schöna.
- Hike to the Hohbrukersdorfer Rundblick with a panoramic view of the whole of Saxon Switzerland. The view is north of Rathenwalde at an altitude of about 380 m. The position on 8 Napoleon stone with a panoramic view in the open field offers a very nice panoramic view. Some benches along the way invite you to linger. Of Rathen it is on foot through the romantic Amselgrund and the village of Rathenwalde about 5 km to the viewpoint (with about 280 m).
Valleys, caves and rocky bottoms
- 9 cowshed, a typical, here tunnel-shaped cave shape in the sandstone karst east of Bad Schandau. From the spa town you can take the Kirnitzschtalbahn Drive to the Lichtenhain waterfall. A short circular hike up to the cowshed is possible from the end of the electric tram. Another interesting experience is the ascent through the Ladder to heaven to the lookout point on the rock. For more information see section "Cowshed and new Wildenstein" in National Park Articles.
- 10 Sweden holes at Rathen - Narrow rock bed on the Bastei massif, which is accessed by a stairway. From the Bastei plateau, a hiking trail with many steps leads through the Schwedenlöcher into the Amselgrund. The ascent is also a popular, easy hike and is therefore very busy.
- 11 "Thief cellar" in the Quirl table mountain - one of the large layer joint caves in the sandstone karst of Saxon Switzerland. The whisk is about 2 km south of Königsstein.
- Uttewalder Grund in the City of Wehlen. The leads through the romantic Uttewalder Grund Malerweg, of whose stations the artists of the Romantic period (including Caspar David Friedrich, Johann Clausen Dahl, Carl Gustav Carus) are commemorated, who played a major role in the tourist development of Saxon Switzerland through their depictions of the then still pristine nature.
- Amselgrund - romantic rock valley with the Amselfall and the water-bearing Amselloch cave (pond with rowing boat rental) Rathen
- 12 Wolfsschlucht with Hockstein Mockery. At its lower mouth there is the one formed by karstification, which became known through paleolithic tool finds Wolf cave (also called Hocksteinhöhle).
- 13 Bielagrund with bizarre rock towers Rosenthal-Bielatal. Directions by car: 5 Ottomühle hiking car park
- 14 Polenztal at Mockery
- Kirnitzschtal in the national park, a good starting point for many hikes. Several hiking and cycling trails run through the valley.
Lakes and waterfalls
- Amselsee with rowing boat rental Rathen.
- Blackbird fall at Rathen.
- Lichtenhain waterfall in the Kirnitzschtal (accessible from Bad Schandau with the Kirnitzschtalbahn). The artificial waterfall can be made to run through a weir (operates every half hour in the summer months).
- 15 Upper lock with boat trip at Hinterhermsdorf. The boat trip in the Kirnitzschklamm is certainly one of the most popular excursion destinations in Saxon Switzerland. The boat trip on the 700 m long dam at the upper lock takes about 20 minutes. The season is from the beginning of April to October 31 (Mon-Fri 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sat, Sun and public holidays 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.), the stowage is lifted over the winter to ensure the Kirnitzsch flows smoothly. The boat station can be reached via a 45-minute hike from the Buchenparkhalle car park. A carriage ride to the lock is also offered.
Castle and locksmith
- 16 Koenigstein Fortress - The facility, which is about 250 m above the Elbe, is Europe's largest mountain fortress info
Museums
Regionally important museums:
- Saxon Switzerland National Park Center in Bad Schandau
- Exhibitions at the Königsstein Fortress - info
Amusement parks and others
- Elbe leisure land - smaller amusement park in Koenigstein
- Rathen Railway Worlds - Demonstration model railway on a scale of 1: 22.5 as a garden. For information see here in the article Rathen.
activities
hike
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Saxon Switzerland offers many opportunities to do primarily sport. The vast majority of guests still come because of the excellent hiking trails that criss-cross the entire area and offer something for everyone, from short walks to 30 km tours. Hiking maps and guides you can get it practically anywhere.
The 112 km long route is a premium route Malerweg, which opens up the entire mountain range. There is also the multi-day trekking route Forststeig Elbe Sandstone.
Important instructions on the subject of "hiking in the national park" (route command, marking of the routes) are in the article on the national park to find.
Notes on cross-border hikes
Although the Czech Republic is also part of the Schengen area, border crossings at the border of the two national parks are only permitted at the designated crossings for nature conservation reasons. The three passages can be found in the Hinterhermsdorf area. Important: There are no crossings between the Kirnitzschtal and the Elbe for nature conservation reasons. The route through the Großer Zschand from the Zeughaus (Germany) to Rainwiese (Czech Republic) is closed as well as the Grenzweg from the Großer Winterberg to the Prebischtor. further see also article Saxon Switzerland National Park.
Hiking suggestions in other articles
Further hiking suggestions can be found in the articles Rathen and Bad Schandau. For example:
- Small circular hike from Rathen: Rathen town center - Bastei bridge - Schwedenlöcher - Amselgrund Rathen town center: see here in the article Rathen.
- Day trip from Bad Schandau with a physically demanding hike: Round trip with hiking ship and Kirnitzschtalbahn to the Carolafelsen.
- Day hike from Bad Schandau: Off to Barbarine: Table mountains south of the Elbe
Climb
For mountain sports enthusiasts, Saxon Switzerland is one of the most beautiful local areas. The sandstone cliffs have been open to climbers for around 100 years and offer all levels of difficulty up to 10c. The Wikipedia article gives a first overview "w: Saxon Switzerland climbing area". Detailed information on the climbing areas can be found on the website of the National parks to be found. Further information is also available from Saxon Mountaineering Association. For beginners in rock climbing according to "Saxon rules" offers the Outdoor tours climbing school appropriate courses. Appropriate climbing equipment such as harnesses etc. and via ferrata sets can also be borrowed here. So you climb exclusively without special aids such as magnesia or mobile securing devices such as wedges, friends, etc. in order to protect the soft and therefore vulnerable sandstone. Only the natural rock surface may be used to move about on the ascent.
To go biking
The main route in the region is the well-developed one Elbe cycle paththat crosses the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. This is a nice destination for day trips Pillnitz Castle (e.g. from Königstein 25 km one way). Those who are more sporty can of course also cycle to Dresden (then about 40 km from Königsstein).
Paddle
In the tourist centers of Rathen and Stadt Wehlen, paddling tours have also been possible for a number of years Fun tours book, which are particularly popular with larger groups or clubs.
Winter sports
- Alpine skiing - Rugiswalde ski lift between Neustadt and Sebnitz
kitchen
Some dishes of the Saxon cuisine can be found in the Koch Wiki.
nightlife
- An extensive nightlife is in Dresden to find.
security
There are no particular problems with crime. Of course, you should also follow the usual rules in Saxon Switzerland (no valuables in the car, always connect bicycles).
When hiking you should always wear sturdy shoes, otherwise you risk a sprained ankle or worse. If there is a risk of thunderstorms, do not climb to exposed targets. Avoid the climbing routes (black arrow on a white background) as they are unsecured and connected with climbing passages.
In the 2000s, Saxon Switzerland made headlines nationwide due to the high election results of fascist parties, but open right-wing extremism practically does not occur in the tourist areas.
climate
- see article Saxon Switzerland National Park
trips
literature
Hiking maps
- Hiking and cycling map of the Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland National Park region 1: 30,000 of the Saxony cartography Dresden. The large-scale map has a clear map image, which also shows small-scale road networks (such as in the Affensteinen) very precisely. In the core zone of the national park (included in the map) only the marked trails are shown. There are no blocked routes on the map. Attention: The information about cycling is very imprecise: There are only green lines. Roads with accompanying cycle paths and roads without cycle paths cannot be differentiated on the map. Dates of the 9th edition with editorial status 02-2010: ISBN 978-3-86843-017-2 , Price: € 5.00, publisher side of Saxony cartography Dresden
- Hiking and cycling maps 1: 15,000 of the Saxony cartography to the Elbe Sandstone Mountains: There are 3 sheets on a scale of 1: 15,000, also clear map, blocked paths are marked or have not been drawn; on the back of the cards you will find hiking suggestions; Information about cycling also only green lines. Data:
- - Upper Saxon Switzerland (Rathen and Königsstein area), ISBN 3-932281-10-1 , 4th edition as of 06-2008; Price: 4.90 €
- - Rear Saxon Switzerland - Sheet 1: Schrammsteine, Affensteine; ISBN 978-3-932281-91-4 ; 3rd edition as of 05-2008; Price: 4.90 €
- - Rear Saxon Switzerland - Sheet 2: Großer Zschand, Hinterhermsdorf; ISBN 978-3-932281-92-1 ; 2nd edition as of 01-2009; Price: 4.90 €
- Topographic hiking map "National Park Region - National Park Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland" 1: 25,000 with 74 page booklet, ISBN 978-3-89679-361-4 (5th edition 04-2012), Price: € 9.60, official hiking map of the national park, which is published by the Land Survey Office of Saxony.
Other literature
- Roland H. Winkelhöfer: The whisk without a doubt. A local history of the 20 table mountains on the left Elbe in Saxon Switzerland. Publishing house DER CÖHLENFORSCHER, Dresden, ISBN 3-00-004380-2 .
- Roland H. Winkelhöfer: Through caves in Saxon Switzerland. Cave guide and cadastral documentation. (1998/2010) DER SPÖHLENFORSCHER publishing house, Dresden ISBN 3-00-002609-6
- Detlef Krell: Saxon Switzerland Reise Know-how Peter Rump, 8th edition 2012, ISBN 9783831721306
- Karl Klettmann: Saxon and Bohemian Switzerland - hiking, climbing, cycling, bivouacking, ..., ISBN 978-1495928123
