Malerweg

The trail begins in the quiet district of Liebethal on the outskirts of Pirna and leads you gently uphill through mixed forest. Almost immediately you encounter the first sandstone formations rising from the earth like ancient sentinels. The path winds past the Liebethaler Grund, a narrow gorge carved by the Wesenitz river, where mossy boulders and trickling waterfalls set the tone for the days ahead. As you emerge from the trees, the Elbe valley opens up below and the distinctive table mountain of the Lilienstein appears on the horizon. The day ends in the charming wine village of Stadt Wehlen, where half-timbered houses line cobblestone streets.

This is the stage that introduces you to the drama of Saxon Switzerland. You climb steeply out of Stadt Wehlen and soon find yourself on the Neurathen Rock Castle, the region's largest medieval rock fortress, before crossing the iconic Bastei Bridge. The bridge arches 194 metres, suspended between towering sandstone needles, a moment that will stop you in your tracks regardless of how many photos you've seen. Be warned: the Bastei area attracts huge crowds of day tourists, so start this stage very early to experience it in near solitude before the buses arrive. From here you traverse the Amselsee, a tranquil lake cradled between sheer rock faces, and continue through the Polenztal valley with its babbling brook and shaded trail. The day finishes in Hohnstein, where a fairy-tale castle overlooks the town.

A shorter but scenically rich stage that rewards you with some of the quietest, most beautiful forest sections of the entire trail. You leave Hohnstein and pass the Hockstein, a massive sandstone plateau with sweeping views across the Polenztal valley. The trail then leads you through the secluded Brand gorge, a cool, narrow crevice where the walls press in close and sunlight filters through the canopy far above. Wooden footbridges and stepped paths guide you through this cathedral-like space. Emerging into open woodland, you follow gentle trails across heathland to the small settlement of Altendorf, where traditional farmsteads offer a glimpse of rural life in the region.

A varied stage through the forests and valleys of Saxon Switzerland. The trail climbs to Waitzdorfer Höhe for wide views over the surrounding landscape before descending into the Kirnitzschtal valley. You then cross the Schrammsteine ridge, a rocky section with ladders, exposed paths, and views over the Elbe valley. The route continues past Lichtenhain Waterfall and follows the historic tramline before ending at Neumannmühle, a former mill in the valley.

Leaving Neumannmühle behind, the trail climbs through dense forest towards the Großer Winterberg, one of the highest points of the entire region. The ascent weaves through beech and pine, the air growing cooler as you gain elevation. From the summit area, the terrain opens up onto a broad plateau with sweeping views across the treetops toward the Elbe valley and the Czech border. The trail then descends steadily through the Großer Zschand, a wild and secluded valley where sandstone walls rise on either side and the path follows a peaceful forest stream. The day ends in Schmilka, a historic customs village perched on the banks of the Elbe at the border with the Czech Republic — a fittingly dramatic gateway between two countries.

This stage sits firmly in the shadow of the Schrammsteine, traversing the high plateau east of the ridge. You begin by climbing through dense forest to the Kleiner Winterberg and then the Zschirnsteinen, a pair of imposing sandstone tables with flat summits that offer breathtaking 360-degree views. The trail then undulates across open heathland and through beech forests, passing the Wolfsberg and its lesser-known viewpoints. The relative solitude of this section is a welcome contrast to the busier western stages. You descend into the spa town of Kurort Gohrisch, known for its clean air and therapeutic springs, nestled beneath the Gohrischstein massif.

A long stage that marks a transition from the dramatic sandstone landscapes of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains to quieter wooded hills and open countryside. The day begins with a climb to the Pfaffenstein, a table mountain offering sweeping views across the Czech borderlands and surrounding peaks. From here, the trail continues through forests and rolling terrain, passing the ruins of Thürmsdorf Castle. The route then crosses the wooded ridge of the Unger before gradually opening into agricultural landscapes around Weißig. After several days of dense forests, towering rock formations, and deep valleys, this final stretch offers a calmer perspective on Saxon Switzerland. Weißig provides a peaceful end to one of the longest stages of the trail.

The final stage brings a change of pace as the trail descends from the sandstone heights back towards civilisation. You leave Weißig and follow gentle paths through meadows and open woodland, the Elbe valley widening before you as Pirna comes into view. The trail reaches the Elbe Cycle Path, which you follow along the river's edge. This last stretch offers a chance to reflect on the journey as you walk alongside the river that has accompanied you — sometimes visible, sometimes hidden — throughout the entire trail. You arrive in the beautifully preserved old town of Pirna, where Renaissance architecture, café terraces and the restored market square provide a gentle transition back to everyday life.