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Highlights
Hike the second section of the Malerweg Trail of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains
Reach the top of Großer Winterberg for unbelievable views of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
Stay in quaint spa towns and villages along the beautiful Elbe River.
Climb the steel ladders and staircases to the towering Pfaffenstein Massif.
Visit Königstein Fortress, one of Europe's largest hilltop fortifications.
One of Germany's most famous hiking routes, the Malerweg Trail reveals the stunning landscapes of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. With 60km to cover and a great mix of peaks and valleys, the Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna Trek is a delightful 6-day journey through Saxony. Enjoy the sky-high views from the top of Großer Winterberg and the Pfaffenstein Massif, visit the impregnable Königstein Fortress, and end each day soaking in the thermal baths in charming spa towns along the Elbe River. Enjoy the beautiful scenery that inspired Swiss artists and poets to call this route “The Painter's Path.”
Discover the best of Saxony on the Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna Trek!
One of Germany's most famous hiking routes, the Malerweg Trail reveals the stunning landscapes of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. With 60km to cover and a great mix of peaks and valleys, the Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna Trek is a delightful 6-day journey through Saxony. Enjoy the sky-high views from the top of Großer Winterberg and the Pfaffenstein Massif, visit the impregnable Königstein Fortress, and end each day soaking in the thermal baths in charming spa towns along the Elbe River. Enjoy the beautiful scenery that inspired Swiss artists and poets to call this route “The Painter's Path.”
Discover the best of Saxony on the Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna Trek!
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Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna Trek Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Krippen
Located in Bad Schandau, Krippen is the starting point of the Malerweg Trail Section 2. You can explore Krippen and relax at the popular spa resorts or take a scenic walk on the nearby trails if you have some spare time today.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Krippen
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Climb to Großer Winterberg
After taking a morning bus to Neumannmühle you begin your ascent to the top of Großer Winterberg, which at 556 metres is the second-highest peak in Saxony. Stop at the Zeughaus and Goldstein viewpoints to admire the incredible views of the rocky cliffs.
From here, descend to Schmilka to cross the Elbe River by ferry. Here either take the train back or walk another 8 km on the
Malerweg trail.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Schmilka/Krippen
Distance: 5.5 hours, 13.5km, 617m of ascent, 718m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Table Mountains of Papstein and Gohrisch
Your destination today is the town of Gohrisch via the Schrammstein massif. En route, you’ll be climbing to the crest of the two table mountains Papstein and Gohrisch. From these two peaks, you descend into the valley and overnight in the lovely spa town of Gohrisch.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Gohrisch
Distance: 6.5 hours, 18km, 617m of ascent, 718m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Pfaffenstein Massif to Königstein Fortress
Get ready to climb up the narrow steel staircases and ladders on the Nadelöhr route to the top of Pfaffenstein Massif. From here you get amazing views of the Königstein Fortress below, one of Europe’s largest hilltop fortifications. The route ends in Königstein, or you can continue to Weißig if you prefer.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Königstein
Distance: 4-5.5 hours, 9km, 270m of ascent, 469m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Königstein to Pirna or Dresden
The last leg of the Malerweg Trail Section 2 goes through the town of Thürmsdorf, which is known for its castle and chocolate shops, and continues up the Rauenstein massif. The trail ends in Pirna, a charming city with lots of medieval architecture to admire.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pirna or Dresden
Distance: 7.5 hours, 21.5km, 670m of ascent, 660m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Departure from Pirna
It’s been a great journey hiking the Malerweg Trail Section 2 of the amazing Elbe Sandstone Mountains! Today you can either depart from Pirna or add on some additional nights in Pirna or Dresden.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2024 Departures The departures are available daily, from April to October, with some exceptions in spring and early summer.
- Single room: from EUR749*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR539*
Accommodation on the Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna Trek
This tour is based in hotels. Hotels on this trip are 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. If you prefer a single room, the required supplement is included in the listed price. The required supplement for solo travellers is also included in the listed price.
What’s Included in the Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna Trek?
Meals
5 breakfasts are included in the tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 5 nights are included. You can add on additional nights at any of the overnight locations along the tour to extend your stay. Accommodations before and after the tour are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage from hotel to hotel is included throughout the tour. Train tickets are included partially (discount card provided). Airport transfers, bus tickets and ferry tickets are not included.
Also Included
- 1 package with maps and information per room (in English)
- Service hotline during the walking tour
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Transportation to Pirna
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Transportation to Krippen
- Transportation from Pirna
- Bus and ferry tickets
- Lunch and dinner
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- GPS data on request
- How hard is the Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna Trek?
- Do I have to carry my luggage?
- Can I take my dog with me?
- Are meals included on the Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna Trek?
- How do I get to Krippen to start this tour?
- Where does the Complete Elbe Sandstone Mountains Malerweg Trail Tour end?
- Can I stay longer in some of the locations?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Germany?
- Do I need insurance?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Germany?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Germany?
- When is the best time to travel to Germany for this tour?
We rate this tour as a 4/5. This tour requires participants to have a suitable level of fitness for consecutive days of walking or hiking long distances and some elements of climbing. Trails may include basic scrambling sections and mountainous terrain, so active hikers will be best suited to this tour.
Your luggage will be sent from hotel to hotel every day along the tour so you do not have to carry your bags with you.
Although in most cases booking this tour with dog is possible, please enquire in advance as it might require some special arrangements for accommodation and might cause some extra charges.
5 breakfasts are included.
Fly into Dresden Airport (DRS) then take a train to Krippen Station (approximately 1.5 hours).
The tour ends in Pirna when you check out from your hotel on the last day. From here you can take a 25-minute taxi or bus to Dresden.
Yes, you can stay for additional nights in any of the overnight locations mentioned in the tour. We will be happy to help you arrange accommodations.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
The best time to travel to Saxony for this hike is from May to September when the weather in the mountains tends to be best.
Customer Ratings
AugustusTours is an established tour operator in Dresden which is well known for its customized tours for both groups and individual travellers. As an experienced incoming operator, we do not only organize city and cultural tours to the capital of Saxony and the picturesque surroundings including the enchanting vineyards of the Elbe valley. Besides classical city tour programmes, we also offer trips to the sights of the region.
