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This hike is suitable for families thanks to its versatility. If you wish, you can shorten the hike by about an hour by taking the S-Bahn back to Stadt Wehlen in Kurort Rathen instead of continuing the hike.
Stadt Wehlen - Schwarzbergweg - Steinerner Tisch - Fremdenweg - Basteiaussicht - Basteibrücke - Felsenburg Neurathen - Gansweg - Schwedenlöcher - Amselgrund - Amselsee - Kurort Rathen - ferry - Model railway exhibition »Eisenbahnwelten« – Rauenstein - S-Bahn (train)
Train station Stadt Wehlen
Train station Stadt Wehlen
Especially for children in search of adventure, the varied and rock-strewn trails of Saxon Switzerland are just right. The complete Malerweg hike with 116 km is suitable for children from about 12 years, depending on their condition. For families with younger children, the following day tour is recommended:
Your hike begins in Stadt Wehlen. Follow the Malerweg signs up the Elbe River and hike up the Schwarzbergweg to the Steinerner Tisch (Stone Table). From there, the Fremdenweg leads you to the Basteiaussicht. Enjoy the magnificent distant view and the view into the Elbe valley. Cross the famous Bastei Bridge to reach the medieval rock castle of Neurathen, which you should definitely visit. To extend your stay at the Bastei, we recommend stopping at the Bastei Hotel.
From the Basteihotel, continue to the Gansweg ("Blue Line") and descend the steps through the Schwedenlöcher into the Amselgrund. From there you go to the Amselsee with the possibility of a small gondola ride.
Afterwards, continue hiking downhill towards the Elbe River until you reach Kurort Rathen. Take the ferry across to the left bank of the Elbe and visit the model railway exhibition "Eisenbahnwelten" - the largest of its kind in the world! The last part of the way leads you over the Rauenstein back to the Malerweg. However, you can also cover this last stretch by suburban train.
Please note: in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, only marked trails may be used in the core zone! Fines may be imposed for violations.
Backpack, sturdy shoes, food and drink
To extend the stay at the Bastei, it is recommended to have dinner at the Bastei Hotel.
Directions to Stadt Wehlen (center) / Dorf WehlenTake the A 4 to Dresden and change there to the A 17 in the direction of Prague. Then take the exit Pirna and leave the feeder road (B 172a) at the exit Graupa/Radeberg. Now orientate to the hotel route A or direction Bastei & Neustadt/Sachs.
Approach Stadt Wehlen Pötzscha:Take the A 4 to Dresden and change there to the A 17 in the direction of Prague. Then take the Pirna exit and leave the feeder road (B 172a) at the Pirna Zentrum exit. Now follow the B 172 in the direction of Bad Schandau until you reach the Struppen/Naundorf junction.
3 large, paid parking lots: in Pötzscha near the local public swimming pool, in Stadt Wehlen on the Elbe and between Dorf Wehlen and Stadt Wehlen
Arrival by train:
S-Bahn S1 (Meißen - Schöna) to Stadt Wehlen
Crossing by ferry
Arrival by bus:
Bus line 238 (Pirna - Stadt Wehlen, Mon-Fri), bus stop Stadt Wehlen Karl-Marx-Platz
Order here: Wanderkarte
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