Destinations & sights

This rock massif near Rathen is one of the most famous natural monuments in Saxon Switzerland. The actual Bastei, the 305 metre high rock, rises vertically 194 metres above the Elbe and offers an impressive view of the landscape. From numerous other vantage points, a panorama opens up with all the large table mountains (e.g. Lilienstein and Königstein), the Schrammstein chain, the Großer Winterberg and other important viewing and climbing rocks as far as Bohemian Switzerland. In 1938, the Bastei area in Saxon Switzerland was declared a nature reserve and is now part of the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The Malerweg trail also leads across the Bastei in the footsteps of the Romantic painters. The first modest inn to cater for hikers was built here as early as 1812. A stone bridge connects the Bastei with the Neurathen rock castle, a 13th century fortress. Today's Bastei Bridge was built in 1850/51 in connection with the opening of the railway line in the Elbe Valley, which has been maintained by the National Park Authority since 1990. Today, the bastion is home to an extensive tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants. In spring 2023, the Free State of Saxony opened a new viewing platform.

Why not combine your visit to the Bastei with a hike through the wild Schwedenlöcher or the romantic Amselgrund?

How to get there

The Bastei is easily accessible by public transport. Take the S-Bahn to Rathen and cross over from there on the yaw rope ferry. Please note: The Rathen ferry is not covered with the "mobile guest card". 

If you are travelling by car, we recommend the Bastei P+R car park. From there, a shuttle bus runs to the Bastei every 30 minutes.

The Brand lies in the middle of the national park forest and around 170 metres above the Polenz Valley in the north of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The famous view from the Brand, approx. 3 km from the town of Hohnstein, is also known as the ‘Balcony of Saxon Switzerland’. At an altitude of 317 metres, visitors can enjoy a panorama of unforgettable beauty: the view stretches from the Bastei area to the Schrammsteine and the Ore Mountains and the Bohemian Central Mountains. You should also visit the Blockhaus Brand national park information centre! The Brand-Baude, where you can stop for a bite to eat and stay overnight, is a National Park partner.

How to get there

You can take the bus to Waitzdorf, Porschdorf or Hohnstein, for example, and plan a shorter or longer hike to the Brand as you wish. The nearest National Park railway stop is Goßdorf-Kohlmühle station. From Hohnstein, the Brand can be reached on foot on a level route.

By car you can drive directly to Hohnstein. The large ‘Eiche’ car park is located right at the entrance to the village. From there, you can also take various walks, for example along the Malerweg trail past the Gautschgrotte grotto.

Situated in the centre of the Saxon Switzerland National Park, the only table mountain on the right bank of the River Elbe immediately catches the eye with its striking silhouette. We have chosen this familiar shape of the Lilienstein as our national park logo. The Lilienstein greets its guests from afar: high above the Elbe valley, opposite Königstein Fortress, the sandstone table mountain rises 415 metres above the landscape. No matter from which direction the Lilienstein is viewed - it always appears in a different shape. During a train journey in the great Elbe bend between Rathen and Königstein, you can marvel at this rock with its size and majesty from almost all sides. On the plateau you will find some very beautiful views of the Elbe valley and an inn. Augustus the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, climbed the mountain in 1708 and had steps built on the south side; the north ascent was not built until 1900. The forests on the slopes below the rock faces of Table Mountain are particularly natural.

How to get there

Take the S-Bahn to Königstein, from there take the ferry across the Elbe to Halbestadt and hike up the southern ascent to the Lilienstein. Take the bus to Waltersdorf (line 253) and continue on foot from there.

By car: Drive to the car park below the Lilienstein (access via Waltersdorf), from there you can hike up to the stone. Please note: Parking is prohibited on the road! It is best to use public transport, as the car park fills up quickly, especially in good weather.

Those who hike up the Waitzdorfer Höhe (414 m) will be rewarded with a good view of the mountains of Saxon Switzerland. Below the Waitzdorfer Höhe lies the village of Waitzdorf with the restaurant Waitzdorfer Schänke.

The pastures on the Waitzdorfer Höhe, which are part of the national park, are kept open by extensive grazing with a herd of Galloway cattle and regular mowing and are maintained as species-rich grassland. The robust cattle can be kept outdoors all year round; they are only fed hay in winter. The grazing project has been running since May 1992 to preserve the cultural landscape in the Saxon Switzerland National Park region. The owner and project organiser of the herd is the Saxon Switzerland National Park Authority.

How to get there

Waitzdorf can be reached by bus. There is also very a small car park in Waitzdorf, but we recommend travelling by bus. Hikes are also possible from Kohlmühle railway station or from Hohnstein.

The Schrammsteine present themselves as an elongated, unspoilt, heavily jagged group of rocks to the east of Bad Schandau. They run directly above the Elbe valley and reach as far east as the Großer Winterberg. Three mighty, vertical incisions form the Schrammtore (gates), which in their variety of shapes are a special testimony to millions of years of weathering. The Schrammstein chain can be hiked along a scenic ridge path with marvellous views.

From Bad Schandau, there are approx. 350 metres in altitude to climb, with steep ladders and steps. Please make sure you are sure-footed and wear suitable footwear.

How to get there

Take the S-Bahn to Bad Schandau National Park railway station, to Krippen or to Schmilka-Hirschmühle, then continue with the ferry, on foot or by bus. Many stops on the historic Kirnitzschtal railway are also ideal starting points for hikes into the Schrammsteine.

The heavily craggy Neuer Wildenstein - better known as the Kuhstall, German for cow shed - is still a popular excursion destination in Saxon Switzerland. The Kuhstall is a mighty rock gate with a height of 11 metres and a width of 17 metres. After passing through the gate, you can enjoy an impressive panoramic view of the Affenstein massif. The adventurous narrow ‘ladder to heaven’ (Himmelsleiter) leads to the plateau with remains of the former old castle complex of the Wildenstein estate from the 15th century. An inn was built at the Kuhstall as early as 1824. Hikers can still enjoy refreshments there today. The traditional inn is a national park partner!

According to legend, the cave and the nearby craggy rocks served as protection from raids and plundering by invading armies for the inhabitants of the neighbouring villages and their animals in earlier times of war, hence the name. At the beginning of the 19th century, the development of tourism began under the influence of Romanticism. During this time, the natural beauty of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains was ‘discovered’ and famous painters and publicists made a significant contribution to the development of the area. Then as now, the Malerweg trail leads to the Kuhstall.

How to get there

Take the bus or the historic Kirnitzschtal railway from Bad Schandau to the Lichtenhain waterfall.

You can reach the Kuhstall by bike on the National Park cycle route through the Kirnitzschtal valley and via the Alte Straße.

There is a car park at the Lichtenhain waterfall; however, we recommend travelling by public transport as the car parks in the Kirnitzschtal are usually full very quickly.

The Obere Schleuse, a once wooden, later stone dam, was built in 1567 on the orders of Elector Augustus of Saxony to collect and raft felled tree trunks. The tidal wave created when the dam was opened allowed the logs to be rafted to the Elbe. The raftsmen accompanied the logs on the rafting path. The 20-minute boat trip, which has been offered annually from April to October since 1879 on the 700 metre long dam of the Upper Lock, leads through the picturesque Kirnitzschklamm gorge to the dam wall. A circular route leads from Hinterhermsdorf to the Obere Schleuse and back to Hinterhermsdorf via the Hermannseck viewpoint after the boat trip. You can also visit the Beize National Park Information Centre with the Waldhusche open-air forest area! This is a great opportunity for children in particular to learn about the national park and historical forestry in an active and playful way.

The national park community of Hinterhermsdorf is also always worth a visit: in the village, which was first mentioned in documents in the 15th century, you can visit over 60 faithfully preserved and renovated half-timbered houses from the 18th/19th century and the village church from 1690. Hinterhermsdorf is an excellent starting point for hikes due to its central location with numerous accommodation options and good transport links. There are marvellous views from the Königsplatz (king's place) or the tower on the Weifberg!

The boat trip is open daily from 9.30 am to 4 pm from Easter to 31 October.

How to get there

Take the bus to Hinterhermsdorf and walk from there to the Obere Schleuse.

If you are travelling by car, you can park in the Buchenparkhalle car park or in the town centre and continue on foot from there.

At 556 metres above sea level, the Großer Winterberg (literally translated: big winter mountain) is the highest mountain in the right bank of Saxon Switzerland and has been one of the most popular excursion destinations since the mountains were first made accessible. Typical beech forest with species-rich ground vegetation grows on the basalt peak.

The former mountain hotel on the summit was built in 1848 and is protected as a historic building. The historic ice house was renovated in 2002 and has since been used as a national park information centre - it's always worth a visit! Below the Großer Winterberg, the Kipphorn offers a fantastic view of the Elbe Valley. In the main tourist season, there is a small refreshment stop on the summit. 

How to get there

The quickest way to climb the Großer Winterberg is from Schmilka. You can reach Schmilka by bus or car as well as by S-Bahn and ferry. From there it is always uphill on foot, with many different hikes on offer.
If you are travelling by car, you can park in the Buchenparkhalle car park or in the town centre and continue on foot from there.