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Highlights
Hike Section 1 of the Malerweg Trail in the beautiful Elbe Sandstone Mountains
Stay in picturesque spa towns and historic villages along the Elbe River between hikes.
Hike to the striking Bastei Bridge, the icon of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
Climb to Brand Viewpoint for panoramic views of the valleys below.
Navigate the Schrammstein massif and see the lovely Lichtenhain Waterfall.
The 6-day Malerweg from Pirna to Bad Schandau Trek takes you on a gorgeous journey through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The most famous walking route in Saxony, the Malerweg Trail reveals mystical rock formations, craggy cliffs, table mountains, waterfalls, and caves.
On Section 1 you'll visit the route's best sights, including the iconic Bastei Bridge, Brand Viewpoint, and Schrammstein massif, full of caves and waterfalls to explore. With 4-6 hours of walking per day and 55km to cover you can take your time to stop and enjoy the incredible landscapes that the Elbe Sandstone Mountains have to offer.
The 6-day Malerweg from Pirna to Bad Schandau Trek takes you on a gorgeous journey through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. The most famous walking route in Saxony, the Malerweg Trail reveals mystical rock formations, craggy cliffs, table mountains, waterfalls, and caves.
On Section 1 you'll visit the route's best sights, including the iconic Bastei Bridge, Brand Viewpoint, and Schrammstein massif, full of caves and waterfalls to explore. With 4-6 hours of walking per day and 55km to cover you can take your time to stop and enjoy the incredible landscapes that the Elbe Sandstone Mountains have to offer.
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Malerweg from Pirna to Bad Schandau Trek Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Pirna
This small but charming town is the perfect starting point for the Malerweg Trail, with lovely colourful architecture and a historic city centre to peruse. Enjoy your day here as you please, exploring town or just getting a good sleep before your hiking begins.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pirna
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Pirna to Wehlen/Rathen
In the morning, you’ll take a bus to the starting point of Malerweg Trail Section 1 and hike through three lush ravines en route to Wehlen. An alternative ending location is the spa town of Rathen, located on the Elbe River.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Wehlen/Rathen
Distance: 4-6 hours, 12-17km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3 Bastei Bridge and Hockstein Rock
The Bastei Bridge is without a doubt the most unique sight in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, built through a series of striking rock pillars with views of the mountains below. From this famous spot you then visit Hockstein Rock and descend to Hohnstein.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hohnstein
Distance: 2.5-4 hours, 7-10.5km, 477m of ascent, 396m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4 Hike to Brand Viewpoint
Known as the ‘Balcony of Saxony,’ Brand Viewpoint offers panoramic views of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains below. Then you climb down a whopping 800 steps into the Kirnitzschtal valley where you can stop, or carry on to Altendorf. Depending on availability, you will stay overnight in Altendorf, Kirnitzschtal or Bad Schandau.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Altendorf or Kirnitzschtal
Distance: 6 hours, 15km, 596m of ascent, 518m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Schrammsteine Massif and Lichtenhain Waterfall
It’s a steep uphill hike to the Schrammsteine Viewpoint, but you’ll be rewarded with the sights of stunning rock formations reaching up to the sky.
On the way down you pass Big and Small Dome to reach Lichtenhain Waterfall and continue down the valley to Neumannmühle where you catch a bus for Bad Schandau.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Neumannmühle
Distance: 6.5 hours, 18.5km, 698m of ascent, 755m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Departure from Bad Schandau
Having enjoyed a relaxing night in this spa town, Malerweg Trail Section 1 is successfully completed. You can either depart from Bad Schandau or add on some additional nights.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2025 Departures Daily departures are available from April to October, with some exceptions in the spring.
- Single room: from EUR769*
- Sharing a double room: from EUR569*
Accommodation on Malerweg from Pirna to Bad Schandau Trek
This tour is based in hotels. Each night you will stay in a different hotel on the route. 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
If you are a solo traveller or prefer a single room, the required supplements are included in the listed price.
What’s Included in the Malerweg from Pirna to Bad Schandau Trek?
Meals
5 continental breakfasts and 1 dinner are included in the tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 5 nights are included. Accommodations before the tour are not included but can be added as a supplement. You can also add on additional nights at any of the overnight locations along the tour route.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage from hotel to hotel is included throughout the tour. Train tickets on Days 2 and 5 are partially included (provided the discount card). Airport transfers 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
- Transportation to Pirna
- Transportation from Bad Schandau
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Airport transfers
- Guide services
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Additional nights at overnight locations during the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- How hard is the Malerweg from Pirna to Bad Schandau Trek?
- Do I have to carry my luggage?
- Can I take my dog with me?
- I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
- Are meals included on the Malerweg from Pirna to Bad Schandau Trek?
- How do I get to Pirna to start this tour?
- Where does the Malerweg from Pirna to Bad Schandau Trek 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?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. You will need to be comfortable hiking 3-6 hours per day on average over mountainous terrain. There are some options to shorten or lengthen hikes are you prefer. Active hikers will be able to get the most out of 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.
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
5 breakfasts and 1 dinner are included.
Fly into Dresden Airport (DRS) then take a Virail train to Pirna (approximately 1.5 hours). Airport transfers are not included.
The tour ends in Bad Schandau when you check out from your hotel on the last day. You can take the train to your departure airport.
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 (activity). 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.
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.
