Malerweg, Stage 5: From Neumannmühle to Schmilka (official version by TV Sächsische Schweiz)

The fifth stage first takes you a short distance upstream along the Kirnitzschtal valley to the Buschmühle. You’ll turn left toward Arnstein (archaeological remains of a medieval rock fortress). You’ll then follow the Neuer Weg and pass the Kleinstein—with its scenic view and Sturmbauers Eck—until you reach the road toward Räumichtmühle, which you’ll follow to the Mühlschlüchte junction. A steep, natural trail leads you up to the Großer Pohlshorn. You’ll hike down to the Kirnitzsch River and then through old spruce and silver fir stands to the Zeughaus. From here, the trail ascends via the Rosssteig and the Katzstein to the summit of the Großer Winterberg, the second-highest mountain in Saxon Switzerland. This 556-meter-high basalt gorge, carved through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, is crowned by a mountain restaurant and an observation tower; next to it, another national park information center invites visitors inside the former “Eishaus.” The Malerweg then descends into the Elbe Valley to the small village of Schmilka. Here you’ll arrive directly at the Schmilka watermill. Based on a copperplate engraving by A. L. Richter, the mill was reconstructed in 2007 and has been fully operational ever since.

GPS data updated in 2021