Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna Trek
Village in the fog Krippen, Bad Schandau, Malerweg

Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna Trek

6 days

Village in the fog Krippen, Bad Schandau, MalerwegView of Schrammsteine, Malerweg Kleinhennersdorf PapststeinSchmilka saxon switzerland Elb Sandstone mountainsObervogelgesang Pirna, Dampfer, Malerweg AugustusToursKonigstein fortress on the cliff edgeGohrisch Malerweg trail Elbe Sandstone mountains

Hike the second section of the Malerweg Trail of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains

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!

Highlights of the Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna Trek

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.

Prices

From $595USD
6 days
Difficulty
Self-Guided
Hotels
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Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna Trek

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

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This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only.

2024 Departures
The departures are available daily, from April to October, with some exceptions in spring and early summer.

  • Single room: from $825 USD*
  • Sharing a double room: from $595 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.

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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.

Hotels on Standard Tour

Night 1

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.

Night 2

Hotel in Schmilka or Reinhardtsdorf

Located right on the Elbe River, Schmilka is a charming little town to stay in, or walk further to the rural village of Reinhardtsdorf.

Night 3

Hotel in Gohrisch

A historic spa town by the Elbe River, Gohrisch has lovely scenery and table mountains.

Night 4

Hotel in Königstein/Weißig

Stay the night in Königstein with its famous fortress, or carry on to the small town of Weißig.

Night 5

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 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

Frequently Asked Questions about Malerweg from Bad Schandau to Pirna 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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Is this tour for me?

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.

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