Push your limits on a challenging hiking tour in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains
For those who crave a physical challenge, the Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour is a 115km journey through the undulating landscapes of Saxony. Each day truly makes you go the distance, covering up to 22km at a time.
At every section of the trail, you'll see what makes this region an underappreciated must-see, including the famed Bastei Bridge, Großer Winterberg, the Schrammstein massif, and Papstein and Gohrisch. There are also waterfalls, striking rock formations, caves and gorges to traverse, plus historic sites like the imposing Königstein Fortress. This 8-day hiking adventure rewards you with the stunning natural beauty of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, and it’ll push your physical limits every step of the way. Doesn’t that make the summit feel even more incredible?
Highlights of the Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour
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Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Pirna or Dresden
Welcome to Dresden or the small city of Pirna, a historic city centre brimming with beautiful architecture. Check in to your hotel and be sure to rest up before tomorrow's walk.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pirna or Dresden
Distance: None
Meals: None
Day 2 Pirna/Dresden to Hohnstein
First thing in the morning, you will take a brief train ride to the starting point of your adventure in
Wehlen, where you will enjoy beautifully scenic views of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains from the Bastei Bridge. From here, you will head downhill into the Amselgrund valley, making your way toward the second landmark along the tour, Hockstein Rock.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Hohnstein
Distance: 4 hours, 10.5km, 477m of ascent, 369m of descent
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3 Brand Viewpoint and Tiefen Grund Gorge
Today you will hike through the Polenztal Valley to reach Brand Viewpoint – known as the 'Balcony of Saxony’ – and descend 800 steps into Tiefen Grund Gorge. From here, you will continue on to Altendorf, Kirnitzschtal or Bad Shandau (depending on the availability) where you will find your accommodation for the evening.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Altendorf, Kirnitzschtal or Bad Shandau
Distance: 6 hours, 15km, 596m of ascent, 518m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 Schrammsteine Viewpoint and Lichtenhain Waterfall
The hike up the impressive Schrammsteine massif reveals a gorgeous viewpoint and then takes you past the Big and Small Dome. Next en route is the Lichtenhain Waterfall and the Kuhstall Cave, a natural rock formation with a large arch that you can explore.
After your second full day on the trail, indulge in regional cuisine and take a bus to go back to Kirnitzschtal valley, Bad Schandau or Altendorf.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kirnitzschtal valley, Bad Schandau or Altendorf
Distance: 6.5 hours, 18.5km, 698m of ascent, 755m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5 Großer Winterberg to Krippen
At 556 metres high, Großer Winterberg is the second-highest mountain in Saxony. The hike to its peak takes you past the lovely Zeughaus lookout before reaching the peak, a feat worth celebrating!
After descending to Schmilka, you’ll cross the Elbe River by ferry to reach Krippen. In some cases, depending on the availability, you might stay in Schmilka.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Krippen or Schmilka
Distance: 5.5 hours, 13.5km, 617m of ascent, 718m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 Walk to Gohrisch
Today you will continue on towards Gohrisch, but first you will need to climb to the top of the two
scenic table mountains. From the summit of Papstein and Gohrisch, you will enjoy spectacular views of the valleys below.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Gohrisch
Distance: 6.5 hours, 18km, 617m of ascent, 718m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Fortress of Königstein to Pirna or Dresden
The last stage of the Malerweg Trail is a relatively short one that takes you past Pfaffenstein and Cave Diebeskeller, before arriving at the “Fortress of Königstein.” Take some time to explore this
“impregnable” fortress, before heading back to Pirna by train.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pirna or Dresden
Distance: 4 hours, 9km, 270m of ascent, 469m of descent
Meals: Breakfast
Day 8 Departure from Pirna/Dresden
With 115km successfully completed, your journey on the Malerweg Trail comes to an end. You can either depart from Pirna or add on some additional nights in Pirna or Dresden. Whatever you choose, you should toast a pint to celebrate!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only.
2025 Departures
The departures are available daily, from April to October, with some exceptions in spring and early summer.
- Single room: from $1,095 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $850 USD*
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip and all the prices are per person. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates.
Book NowAccommodation on Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour
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
If you are a solo traveller or prefer a single room, the required supplements are included in the listed price.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel in Pirna
A picturesque little city in the Elbe Valley, Pirna boasts a historic town centre brimming with medieval architecture.
Hotel in Hohnstein
A small but scenic town, Hohnstein is known for its castle and timber houses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Hotel in Altendorf
A small but scenic town, Altendorf is a quiet overnight location on the Malerweg Trail.
Hotel in Neumannmühle
A small and quiet village in the mountains, Neumannmühle lies on the Malerweg Trail and is a popular overnight location for hikers.
Hotel in Krippen
Laying on the opposite side of the Elbe River, Krippen is home to the train station that connects with the Czech Republic.
Hotel in Gohrisch
A historic spa town by the Elbe River, Gohrisch has lovely scenery and table mountains.
Hotel in Pirna
A picturesque little city in the Elbe Valley, Pirna boasts a historic town centre brimming with medieval architecture.
What’s Included in the Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts and 1 dinner are included in the tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before and after 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 for the walking days are partially included with the guest card. Airport transfers are not included.
Also Included
- Luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
- 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 and from Pirna
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Ferry transfer (around 2 EUR per person)
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Additional nights during the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- GPS data on request
Frequently Asked Questions about Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour
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.
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