From Stadt Wehlen over the Bastei Bridge to Kurort Rathen

From here we follow the tourist path that leads us to the Bastei Bridge. This is probably the best-known bridge in Germany and stands almost 200 metres vertically above the Elbe. This stone bridge was built in 1851; before that, the rugged rocky reef was accessible by a wooden bridge. From the Bastei Bridge and the surrounding vistas (e.g. Ferdinandaussicht, Hochzeitskanzel) we are offered magnificent views of the landscape. A recommended detour is the Felsenburg Neurathen, for which an entrance ticket must be purchased. This was one of the oldest and largest fortifications in Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland, known at the time as the double castle of Alt- and Neurathen. It was first mentioned in the 13th century. Even today, traces of the original dwelling and defences can be found in the rock - valuable legacies to reconstruct the past.

After the tour, we descend the Basteiweg via steps until we reach the spa town of Rathen. If the weather is fine, we can enjoy a boat trip on the Amselsee lake. Afterwards, a well-deserved stop at one of the many restaurants in the spa town of Rathen before taking the Gierseil ferry to the train station on the left side of the Elbe.