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Family day tour on the Malerweg

· 2 reviews · Hiking trail · Saxon Switzerland
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  • Basteiaussicht
    Basteiaussicht
    Photo: D. Stratmann, CC0, TMGS
This hike is suitable for families thanks to its versatility. If you wish, you can shorten the hike by about an hour by taking the S-Bahn back to Stadt Wehlen in Kurort Rathen instead of continuing the hike.
moderate
Distance 13.4 km
4:20 h
557 m
557 m
318 m
112 m
Stadt Wehlen - Schwarzbergweg - Steinerner Tisch - Fremdenweg - Basteiaussicht - Basteibrücke - Felsenburg Neurathen - Gansweg - Schwedenlöcher - Amselgrund - Amselsee -  Kurort Rathen - ferry - Model railway exhibition »Eisenbahnwelten« – Rauenstein - S-Bahn (train)

Author’s recommendation

To extend the stay at the Bastei, it is recommended to have dinner at the Bastei Hotel.
Profile picture of Sabine Meisel
Author
Sabine Meisel
Update: June 01, 2023
Difficulty
moderate
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
318 m
Lowest point
112 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 16.55%Dirt road 32.77%Forested/wild trail 19.04%Path 26.12%Road 3.53%Ferry crossing 1.77%Unknown 0.18%
Asphalt
2.2 km
Dirt road
4.4 km
Forested/wild trail
2.6 km
Path
3.5 km
Road
0.5 km
Ferry crossing
0.2 km
Unknown
0 km
Show elevation profile

Safety information

Please note: in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, only marked trails may be used in the core zone! Fines may be imposed for violations.

Trail markings

Tips and hints

Tourist Infomation Rathen

Start

Train station Stadt Wehlen (125 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.953581, 14.032055
DMS
50°57'12.9"N 14°01'55.4"E
UTM
33U 432012 5645109
w3w 
///packet.devices.banally

Destination

Train station Stadt Wehlen

Turn-by-turn directions

Especially for children in search of adventure, the varied and rock-strewn trails of Saxon Switzerland are just right. The complete Malerweg hike with 116 km is suitable for children from about 12 years, depending on their condition. For families with younger children, the following day tour is recommended:

Your hike begins in Stadt Wehlen. Follow the Malerweg signs up the Elbe River and hike up the Schwarzbergweg to the Steinerner Tisch (Stone Table). From there, the Fremdenweg leads you to the Basteiaussicht. Enjoy the magnificent distant view and the view into the Elbe valley. Cross the famous Bastei Bridge to reach the medieval rock castle of Neurathen, which you should definitely visit. To extend your stay at the Bastei, we recommend stopping at the Bastei Hotel.

From the Basteihotel, continue to the Gansweg ("Blue Line") and descend the steps through the Schwedenlöcher into the Amselgrund. From there you go to the Amselsee with the possibility of a small gondola ride.

Afterwards, continue hiking downhill towards the Elbe River until you reach Kurort Rathen. Take the ferry across to the left bank of the Elbe and visit the model railway exhibition "Eisenbahnwelten" - the largest of its kind in the world! The last part of the way leads you over the Rauenstein back to the Malerweg. However, you can also cover this last stretch by suburban train.

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Arrival by train:

S-Bahn S1 (Meißen - Schöna) to Stadt Wehlen
Crossing by ferry

Arrival by bus:
Bus line 238 (Pirna - Stadt Wehlen, Mon-Fri), bus stop Stadt Wehlen Karl-Marx-Platz

By road

Directions to Stadt Wehlen (center) / Dorf WehlenTake the A 4 to Dresden and change there to the A 17 in the direction of Prague. Then take the exit Pirna and leave the feeder road (B 172a) at the exit Graupa/Radeberg. Now orientate to the hotel route A or direction Bastei & Neustadt/Sachs. 

 

Approach Stadt Wehlen Pötzscha:Take the A 4 to Dresden and change there to the A 17 in the direction of Prague. Then take the Pirna exit and leave the feeder road (B 172a) at the Pirna Zentrum exit. Now follow the B 172 in the direction of Bad Schandau until you reach the Struppen/Naundorf junction.

Parking

3 large, paid parking lots: in Pötzscha near the local public swimming pool, in Stadt Wehlen on the Elbe and between Dorf Wehlen and Stadt Wehlen

Coordinates

DD
50.953581, 14.032055
DMS
50°57'12.9"N 14°01'55.4"E
UTM
33U 432012 5645109
w3w 
///packet.devices.banally
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

Author’s map recommendations

Equipment

Backpack, sturdy shoes, food and drink

Questions and answers

Ask the first question

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Rating

5.0
(2)
Stefan Maler
March 17, 2019 · Community
Recht (körperlich) anspruchslose Tour und deswegen gut für Kinder geeignet. Die "erwanderten" Landschaften sind sehr abwechslungsreich und das Highlight mit den Schwedenlöchern und der Basteibrücke inkl. Felsenburg lassen beim Thema Sightseeing keine Wünsche offen. Wir sind an einem sonnigen Sonntag Mitte März unterwegs gewesen und schon hier hat man gemerkt, dass es sehr "belebt" werden kann. In den Ferien und im Sommer kann man diese Strecke wohl nicht als romantisch bezeichnen - da wird die Hölle los sein. Also am besten früh aufstehen und vor 10 Uhr oben sein - dann könnte es noch gehen. Auf dem Weg nach Wehlen empfiehlt sich ein Abstecher nach Westen über einen kleinen Berg, so dass man am Buschholzweg in Wehlen ankommt - da läuft man nochmal ein wenig an schönen Weideflächen entlang. Wir sind auf dem Rückweg entlang der Elbe - also nicht den hier beschriebenen Weg gelaufen - NICHT zu empfehlen. Es geht direkt an den Bahngleisen entlang und zwischendurch über ein langweiliges Feld. Einziger Höhepunkt ist der Blick hoch auf die Basteibrücke. Also am besten auf der anderen Uferseite bleiben und von Wehlen nach Rathen laufen und erst dann die Fähre zurück zur S-Bahn nehmen. Natürlich nur, wenn man direkt am Wasser laufen möchte.
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When did you do this route? March 16, 2019
Photo: Stefan Maler, Community
Photo: Stefan Maler, Community
Photo: Stefan Maler, Community
Photo: Stefan Maler, Community
Sylvia Kö
September 19, 2018 · Community
Der Amselfall
Photo: Sylvia Kö, Community
Blick von der anderen Elbseite zur Bastei
Photo: Sylvia Kö, Community
...
Photo: Sylvia Kö, Community

Photos from others

+ 3

Reviews
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
13.4 km
Duration
4:20 h
Ascent
557 m
Descent
557 m
Highest point
318 m
Lowest point
112 m
Public-transport-friendly Scenic Circular route Refreshment stops available Family-friendly

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