Hike: Schmilka – Winterberg – Kuhstall – Lichtenhainer Waterfall

You’ll hike from Schmilka via the Bergsteig, the shortest—and therefore steepest—ascent to the Großer Winterberg (with a place to stop for refreshments at the “Großer Winterberg” mountain inn). Before that, a detour to the Kipphornaussicht viewpoint is recommended—the trail follows the “Winterbergstraße” (forest road) for a short stretch. The Kripphornaussicht is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

Continue along the Fremdenweg and the Reitsteig (marked with a blue line) until you reach the fork toward Frienstein (marked with a green line). A detour to the Idagrotte is only suitable for those who aren’t afraid of heights. (The Idagrotte is a rock grotto with a magnificent view of the mountains.)

From Frienstein, steps lead down to the “Königsweg.” Follow this red-marked trail as it turns right and hike below the Affensteine to the junction with the “Malerweg.” Follow this trail until you reach the imposing rock arch “Kuhstall” (where you can stop for refreshments at the “Kuhstall” mountain inn). A climb up the “Himmelsleiter” to the Kuhstall plateau is a worthwhile detour.

From there, the trail leads downhill and ends at the Lichtenhainer Waterfall in the romantic Kirnitzschtal valley, which has been a tourist attraction since the first half of the 19th century.