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Lohmen: Via the Schwedenlöcher to Kurort Rathen to the bastion

· 21 reviews · Hiking trail · Saxon Switzerland
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  • Felsenburg Neurathen an der Bastei
    Felsenburg Neurathen an der Bastei
    Photo: Philipp Zieger, CC BY, Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz
One highlight follows the other on this beautiful circular hike. Through a rustic rock gorge with moss-covered walls, you climb into the cool valley of the Grünbach. Passing the idyllic Amselsee, you reach Rathen with its numerous restaurants. Strengthened you go to the highlight of the tour - to the Basteibrücke - before you arrive back at the starting point.  

ATTENTION: The Schwedenlöcher are currently closed until the end of March 2023 due to renovation work! Alternatives are Basteiweg/Amselgrund or the Rathen footpath.

moderate
Distance 4.8 km
1:45 h
211 m
194 m
312 m
118 m
Stop / parking lot Bastei - Schwedenlöcher - Amselgrund - Amselsee - Kurort Rathen - Basteibrücke - Stop / parking lot Bastei

Author’s recommendation

Plan more time than the hiking time - there are many views to discover. Perhaps the Amselsee with a boat trip (only possible during the summer season) will entice you.
Profile picture of Yvonne Brückner
Author
Yvonne Brückner
Update: June 01, 2023
Difficulty
moderate
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
312 m
Lowest point
118 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 2.92%Forested/wild trail 2.29%Path 22.25%Road 2.41%Unknown 70.10%
Asphalt
0.1 km
Forested/wild trail
0.1 km
Path
1.1 km
Road
0.1 km
Unknown
3.4 km
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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

Start

Parking lot / stop Bastei (310 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.965313, 14.065957
DMS
50°57'55.1"N 14°03'57.4"E
UTM
33U 434410 5646382
w3w 
///dilemma.deafened.trudges

Destination

Parking lot / stop Bastei

Turn-by-turn directions

The starting point is the parking lot or the bus stop in the immediate vicinity of the well-known Bastei Bridge. In the direction of the Bastei, the path turns left to the "Schwedenlöcher" with the marking "Blauer Strich". You follow this marking on the entire hike. You will hike through a beautiful piece of forest. "Schwedenlöcher" is the name of a gorge like a gorge that leads down about 700 steps.  Before the Schwedenlöcher begin, it is worth taking a detour to the Pavillonaussicht. From here you have the first impressive rock view in the direction of the Bastei bridge and into the Wehlgrund.

Once in the valley, the path leads to the right through the Amselgrund, past the Grünbach, the Amselsee and the theater box office of the Felsenbühne in the direction of the center of the spa town of Rathen. At the height of the Amselgrundschlösschen hotel, the hiking trail with signposts to the bastion branches off to the right. Via a well-built path with steps you can easily reach the Bastei bridge. On the way there are beautiful views into the Elbe valley.

 

The rock castle Neurathen, which is located at the entrance to the Bastei bridge, is highly recommended. Footbridges and ladders cross the remains of this medieval fortification and offer fantastic views into the Rathen valley basin and, if visibility is good, as far as the rock formations of the Hintere Sächsische Schweiz.

 

The hike is also possible in the opposite direction, but please note that the more than 600 steps in the "Schwedenlöcher" have to be climbed uphill.

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Arrival/departure:

Bus line: 237 Stop: Bastei

By road

Coming from Pirna: After leaving Lohmen, turn right after about 3 kilometers in the direction of the Bastei.

Coming from Bad Schandau: Via Rathmannsdorf, Porschdorf, Waltersdorf. At the Hocksteinschänke turn in the direction of Pirna/Bastei. After leaving Rathewalde, turn left after about 1 kilometer in the direction of Bastei.

Arrival with Google-Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/Dcvjy79wZuDjzbXW9

Parking

Parking lot at the Bastei (about 300 meters to the viewpoint).

Parking lot at the junction Bastei, if the Bastei parking lot is occupied; bus shuttle to the Bastei

Coordinates

DD
50.965313, 14.065957
DMS
50°57'55.1"N 14°03'57.4"E
UTM
33U 434410 5646382
w3w 
///dilemma.deafened.trudges
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

Order hiking guide now.

Author’s map recommendations

Equipment

Sturdy shoes are recommended for this tour.

Questions and answers

Profile picture of Jil Stoltz
Question from Jil Stoltz · April 06, 2022 · Community
Kann man diesen Weg auch mit Hund machen?
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Answered by Matthias Ferkau · April 06, 2022 · Community
Ich habe diesen Weg vor 3 Wochen gemacht. Meiner Meinung nach sollte es gehen. Aber ich hab leider keinen Hund und weiß nicht, wie viel Kondition so n Hund hat. Aber von den Steigungen oder von den Wegen her, eigentlich schon.
Photo: Matthias Ferkau, Community
Photo: Matthias Ferkau, Community
Photo: Matthias Ferkau, Community
Photo: Matthias Ferkau, Community
3 more replies

Rating

4.9
(21)
Lars M
May 24, 2021 · Community
Wunderbare Wandertour. Kann man nur weiterempfehlen
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When did you do this route? May 23, 2021
Photo: Lars M, Community
Photo: Lars M, Community
Photo: Lars M, Community
Photo: Lars M, Community
Photo: Lars M, Community
Photo: Lars M, Community
Photo: Lars M, Community
Mimi M
December 25, 2020 · Community
Schöne Wanderung. Leider war es sehr voll. Es ist empfehlenswert die Wanderung in der vorgegebenen Richtung zu laufen.
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When did you do this route? October 14, 2020
Lillan Schatz
October 09, 2020 · Community
Schöne Wanderung mit Kindern (6 und 9 Jahre alt). Die Felsenburg ist sehr sehenswert.
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Photos from others

+ 35

Reviews
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
4.8 km
Duration
1:45 h
Ascent
211 m
Descent
194 m
Highest point
312 m
Lowest point
118 m
Public-transport-friendly Circular route Scenic Refreshment stops available Family-friendly Cultural/historical interest Geological highlights Flora

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