Due to the excellent transport links, arrival in Pirna by train or car is straightforward. Discounted parking spaces for cars are available in the multi-story car park for the entire duration of your trip.
Hotel (example): Romantik Hotel Deutsches Haus
Your hike begins in Pirna with the crossing of the Elbe river, continuing via Jessen to the starting point of the Malerweg trail at the Liebethaler Grund (approx. 5 km). Alternatively, you can use the regional bus G/L from Pirna to Liebethal (approx. 20 minutes travel time; included in the Gästekarte mobil guest card). The Liebethaler Grund is the gateway to the Malerweg. Following the cheerfully flowing Wesenitz river, the first stage leads through the romantic valley, past the monumental Richard Wagner Monument to the Lochmühle (mill). Hidden behind trees and bushes, the long-abandoned quarries bear witness to centuries of sandstone extraction and its use as building material and for making millstones.
Hotel (example): Hotel Landhaus Nicolai
After passing through the village of Lohmen, you reach the Uttewalder Grund (Uttewalde Gorge). This gorge, overgrown with ferns and mosses, was a frequent subject for the paintings of the Romantic artists. Caspar David Friedrich is said to have spent several days here to capture the special atmosphere of the place. Through the Uttewalde Rock Gate and the Wehlener Grund (Wehlen Gorge), the Malerweg leads to the town of Stadt Wehlen on the Elbe river. Here you will also find the Wehlen Castle Ruins, from whose plateau you have a beautiful view over the small town and the Elbe.
From Wehlen, the Malerweg follows the Schwarzbergweg past the Steinerner Tisch (Stone Table) to arguably the most famous viewpoint in Saxon Switzerland, the Bastei Viewpoint. From here, you look down 190 meters into the charming Elbe Valley and enjoy the spectacular panorama of the nearby and distant table mountains. Via the 76-meter-long Bastei Bridge, you reach the time-honoured Neurathen Rock Castle. After descending from the Bastei into the small village of Rathen, you continue hiking on the Malerweg along the Grünbach stream, past the access point to the Rathen Open-Air Stage , towards Rathewalde, and pass the Amselsee (Blackbird Lake). Approximately 400 m after the Amselsee, you will see the signpost to the Schwedenlöcher (Sweden Holes). This is a worthwhile short detour from the route, combined with a brief hike into the narrow valley of the Schwedenlöcher.
After returning to the Amselgrund (Blackbird Valley) and a short ascent, you soon reach the Amselfall (Blackbird Waterfall). At the exit of the Amselgrund shortly before Rathewalde are the partly restored Rathewalde Mills. Shortly before the Hockstein Viewpoint, you cross the stone Teufelsbrücke (Devil's Bridge) and follow the Malerweg down through the narrow rift of the Wolfsschlucht (Wolf's Gorge) into the Polenztal (Polenz Valley). The small town of Hohnstein, with its castle, is enthroned above the valley.
Hotel (example): Pension Polenztal
Passing the remains of the former bear garden , the Malerweg leads directly into the small town, also famous for the Hohnstein hand puppets. You hike to one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Saxon Switzerland, the Brandaussicht. From the "Balcony of Saxon Switzerland," a magnificent view opens up over the Front and Rear Saxon Switzerland.
Via the steep and stepped Brandstufen descent, you reach the Tiefen Grund (Deep Gorge) and continue on the Malerweg to the picturesque village of Waitzdorf. In the middle of the village is the Waizdorfer Schänke with a beer garden and tavern. You follow the path further to Kohlmühle. From here, you go parallel to the National Park train line towards the Großdorfer Raubschloss. Via the Mühlenweg, you leave the Sebnitz Valley, climbing up to Altendorf. From Altendorf, you follow the Panorama Trail to Schlossberg (Castle Hill) above Bad Schandau and reach the town center of Bad Schandau via a short descent.
Hotel (example): Parkhotel Bad Schandau
For quick access to the starting point of the day's stage, use the historic passenger elevator p to the Ostrau Plateau (a discounted fare applies with the guest card). From Ostrau, the Malerweg leads past the Falkenstein to the Große Schrammtor (Great Schramm Gate) and the imposing Schrammstein Viewpoint, where you have a magnificent view over the Front and Rear Saxon Switzerland and, in clear weather, as far as Dresden. Steps and ladders characterize the ascent to the Schrammsteine.
Via the ridge path, you reach the Zurückesteig, which leads you into the Affensteine area . A worthwhile short detour at this point is the path to the panoramic view on the Carolafelsen, the highest peak of the rock formation. Back on the Malerweg, a leisurely descent follows via the Kleiner Dom and the Unterer Affensteinweg into the Kirnitzschtal (Kirnitzsch Valley) and on to the Lichtenhainer Waterfall.
Should accommodation in the Kirnitzschtal already be fully booked, you can take the historic Kirnitzschtalbahn tram or the hiking bus 241 back to your accommodation in Bad Schandau (duration approx. 15-20 minutes; free with the Gästekarte mobil guest card).
Hotel (example): Parkhotel Bad Schandau
If you plan to stay overnight in Bad Schandau, first travel back to the starting point of the hike.
From the Lichtenhainer Waterfall, the Malerweg leads first to the famous rock arch Kuhstall (Cow Shed), which is the second-largest rock arch in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains after the Prebischtor. Don't miss the somewhat hidden ascent via the narrow rock crevice, the so-called Himmelsleiter (Ladder to Heaven). On the rock plateau, you can still discover the remains of Wildenstein Castle.
After the descent, the Malerweg follows the Haussteig back into the Kirnitzschtal. From the Felsenmühle (Rock Mill), the Malerweg runs upstream along the cheerfully babbling Kirnitzsch river to the Neumannmühle and Buschmühle mills and on to the noteworthy Kleinsteinhöhle (Kleinstein Cave). You follow the road towards the Räumichtmühle and turn off into the Mühlschlüchte (Mill Gorges) shortly before it. Passing the Altes Zeughaus (Old Arsenal), you hike via the Pohlshorn and the Goldsteinaussicht viewpoint to the beech-covered basalt dome of the Großer Winterberg (556 m). The "Eishaus" National Park Information Pointis located here. Via the steep Bergsteig (Mountain Trail) with many steps, you soon reach Schmilka, where a stop at the Schmilkaer Mühle with its mill garden and bakery is recommended.
Hotel (example): Nationalparkhotel HELVETIA
Take the ferry to cross to the left bank of the Elbe and hike via the Aschersteig to Schöna. A short detour to the Kaiserkrone offers charming views. Continue to the Wolfsberg and on to Reinhardtsdorf. In Reinhardtsdorf, discover a gem of Baroque church architecture. The church in Reinhardtsdorf is one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in this area. From Reinhardtsdorf, the Malerweg leads further into the Krippengrund. Two "highlights" await you in the further course of the stage: The Papststein and the Gohrisch , at 451 and 440 meters respectively, are the highest points on the Malerweg after the Großer Winterberg.
Our insider tip on this stage: stop for refreshments at the Bergwirtschaft (mountain inn) on the Papststein. You reach the spa town of Kurort Gohrisch via the Muselweg.
Hotel (example): Pension Villa Irene
From Gohrisch, follow the Malerweg route via the Heideberg to the Pfaffenstein. Those who wish to avoid the steep ascent through the "Nadelöhr" (Needle's Eye) should follow the footpath to the right around the Pfaffenstein for an easier climb. On the table mountain, a view awaits you of the legendary „Barbarine“a rock needle which, according to legend, is a petrified maiden. Via the Kammerweg, you descend from the Pfaffenstein and hike towards the Quirl. The largest cave in Saxon Switzerland, the Diebskeller (Thief's Cellar), is located at this table mountain. Diebskeller (Thief's Cellar).
From Pfaffendorf, the Malerweg leads you into the Elbe Valley and through the narrow streets of Königstein's old town. From here, you hike via the Latzweg to the famous Königstein Fortress. Plan about 2 hours to visit the Königstein Fortress. After a short distance on the Malerweg, you reach the Biedermann-Mausoleum. Here, the Thiele-Aussicht viewpoint awaits you with a panorama over the Elbe, the Lilienstein, and back to the Königstein Fortress. If you have a sweet tooth, you shouldn't miss visiting the chocolate factory at Thürmsdorf Castle. Now it is only a few kilometers until you reach your stage destination, the small village of Weißig.
Hotel (example): Pension Laasenperle
The final stage of your hiking trip offers relaxed hiking. The trail climbs the Rauenstein , the last peak of the Malerweg. In Naundorf, a visit to the Robert Sterl Houseis worthwhile. The museum, one of the few artist's houses in Germany to be preserved in its original condition, safeguards the artistic legacy of the Impressionist painter Robert Sterl. Passing former quarries, the Malerweg leads you to the Königsnase (King's Nose), where another beautiful view over the Elbe Valley awaits.
Shortly before Pirna, the Malerweg joins the Canalettoweg and finally ends at the Pirna Market Square. Stroll through the picturesque historic old town with its elaborately decorated town houses and discover special details such as the Devil's and the Angel's bay windows. The Canaletto Houseis also located at the market square, which got its name after the creation of the painting "The Market Square in Pirna". The Saxon court painter Bernardo Bellotto, known as Canaletto, immortalized Pirna as the only small town in his works. A total of eleven large town views were created between 1753 and 1755. In the historic old town of Pirna, you can expect a good selection of restaurants that will be happy to serve you regional culinary delicacies and Saxon wines.
Hotel (example): Pirn’scher Hof
After completing the final stage, you can extend your stay in Saxony as you wish and explore the region further on your own. The cultural metropolis of Dresden is just a short train ride away and is always worth a visit, with its world-famous sights such as the Frauenkirche, the baroque Zwinger palace, the Semper Opera House , the historic old town, and numerous museums.