Hike Section 1 of the Malerweg Trail in the beautiful Elbe Sandstone Mountains
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.
Highlights of the Malerweg from Pirna to Bad Schandau Trek
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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
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only.
2025 Departures
Daily departures are available from April to October, with some exceptions in the spring.
- Single room: from $875 USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $650 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 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.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotel in Bad Schandau
Bad Schandau is a charming spa town built along the Elbe River with a market square, the historic St. Johns Church, and the Bad Schandau Elevator to explore.
Hotel in Wehlen or Rathen
Depending on how far you want to walk, you can overnight in the charming riverside town of Wehlen or continue to the spa town of Rathen.
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/Kirnitzschtal
Depending on how far you want to walk, you can overnight in the tiny town of Altendorf or keep walking to Kirnitzschtal which has a historic tramway.
Hotel in Bad Schandau
Bad Schandau is a charming spa town built along the Elbe River with a market square, the historic St. Johns Church, and the Bad Schandau Elevator to explore.
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
Frequently Asked Questions about Malerweg from Pirna to Bad Schandau Trek
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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