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Tours/Europe/Germany

Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour

Explore the incredible Elbe Sandstone Mountains of Saxony on a self-guided hiking tour

4.7 (69 ratings)

Europe

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From $1,025USDBook Now

Lifetime Deposit - Lifetime deposit means if you need to cancel your booking you’ll get a credit for your full deposit to use on your next booking.

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About this tour:

8 days

Apr-Oct

Walking

Self-guided, Private

Hotels

Moderate (3/5)

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Why travellers choose this tour

At 10Adventures, we take care of the details so that our guests can focus on making memories. Enjoy these key features on this tour.

We're Canadian

Book with a Canadian company whose mission is to help you travel the world.

Meals

Don't worry about meals. 7 breakfasts and 7 dinners are included.

Transfers

Check out the 'What's Included' tab for more info on personal transfers during your tour.

Local Support

Travel stress-free knowing in-country local support is available by regular phone or WhatsApp to support you during your tour.

Payments Made Easy

Enjoy the flexibility and ease of staggered payments in your own currency using your choice of credit card.

Route Resources

Route notes, maps, and/or a trail app make navigation on this tour a breeze.

Park Entrance Fees

Included where possible! Check the 'What's Included' tab for more info on park entrance fees during your tour.

Luggage transfers

Take a load off, with optional or included luggage transfers. Check inclusions for further details.

Accommodation for Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour

This tour is based in hotels and guesthouses. 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. You can also upgrade the accommodation to Deluxe (please inquire for more information).

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 prices.

Night 1

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.

Night 2-3

Hotel in Rathen

The pretty village of Rathen is the gateway to the Bastei Bridge rock formations.

Night 4-5

Hotel in Gohrisch

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

Night 6

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 7

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.

Hotels on Standard Tour

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Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour Details

Overview

Itinerary

Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Bad Schandau

Overnight Location - Hotel in Bad Schandau | Distance - None | Meals - Dinner

One of the most popular health resort and spa towns in Saxony, Bad Schandau is a charming spot on the Elbe river with a historic downtown full of Medieval architecture.

Check in to your hotel and have the day free to stroll around admiring the sights.

Day 2

Brand to Hohnstein Castle and Rathen

Overnight Location - Hotel in Rathen | Distance - 5.5hours, 18km, 678m of ascent, 677m of descent | Meals - Breakfast, dinner

Your first day of walking starts with the climb to Brand, known as the 'Balcony of the Saxon National Park' with panoramic views of the Sandstone Mountains. From here you continue to the regal Hohnstein Castle and go through the Wolfsschlucht Gorge.

You finish in the lovely spa town of Rathen, passing beautiful, green-shrouded Amsel Lake on the way.

Day 3

Circular hike around Rathen

Overnight Location - Hotel in Rathen | Distance - 4 hours, 11km, 474m of ascent, 480m of descent | Meals - Breakfast, dinner

Start early in the morning to appreciate the Bastei Bridge with its stunning views over the Elbe river valley and the Table Mountains of the Saxon Switzerland fairly undisturbed. After passing the small village Wehlen the next highlight is the Rauenstein before descending again to Rathen or further to Königstein (according to hotel availability).

Day 4

Barbarine Pinnacle to Gohrisch

Overnight Location - Hotel in Gohrisch | Distance - 5.5 hours, 17km, 703m of ascent, 544m of descent | Meals - Breakfast, dinner

Today's hike takes you through forest paths to the striking Barbarine rock pinnacle, a 42m high freestanding rock that is an icon of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Take those photos!

After admiring the views of the Königstein Fortress below, you continue through Muselweg to reach the spa town of Gohrisch. Perhaps a massage is in order?

Day 5

Circular walking tour to Lilienstein from/to Gohrisch

Overnight Location - Hotel in Gohrisch | Distance - 4 hours, 11km, 481m of ascent, 481m of descent | Meals - Breakfast, dinner

Experience a breathtaking hike from Gohrisch to Lilienstein, another landmark in Saxon Switzerland.

Day 6

To Krippen

Overnight Location - Hotel in Krippen or Bad Shandau | Distance - 4 hours, 10km, 289m of ascent, 447m of descent | Meals - Breakfast, dinner

After a short warm up you walk slightly uphill crossing meadows and fields. You make your way to the top of the Table Mountains Gohrisch (448 m) and Papststein (451 m). From the tops wonderful views will compensate for the effort. An old mill with gastronomic offers is worth a break before you continue towards Krippen. Overnight stay in Krippen or Bad Schandau.

Day 7

Schrammstein Cliffs to Lichtenhain Waterfall

Overnight Location - Hotel in Bad Schandau | Distance - 4.5 hours, 14km, 530m of ascent, 457m of descent | Meals - Breakfast, dinner

It's a steep climb via steel ladders and staircases to the Schrammstein Cliffs, but it's worth it to see the panoramic views of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

Follow the Malerweg Trail to reach the rushing Lichtenhain Waterfall, and return by bus or train to Bad Schandau for the tour's last night.

Day 8

Departure from Bad Schandau

Overnight Location - None | Distance - None | Meals - Breakfast

From Bad Schandau it’s time to begin your journey home, though you are welcome to prolong your holidays. Either way, safe travels!

Tour Highlights

What's Included

Dates & Prices

Accommodation

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Reviews (69)

Tour Booking Process

FAQ

Frequently asked questions for Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour

How hard is the Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour?

We rate this tour as a 3/5. This tour requires participants to have a suitable level of fitness for consecutive days of walking or hiking 10km or more, with some elements of climbing or scrambling potentially required. Active hikers who are comfortable in varied terrain will get the most out of this tour.

Can I take my dog with me?

Although in most cases booking this tour with dog is possible, please enquire in advance as it might require some special arrangements for accommodation and might cause some extra charges.

I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?

Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.

Do I have to carry my luggage?

Your luggage will be sent from hotel to hotel every day along the tour, so you do not have to carry your bags with you.

Are meals included on the Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour?

7 breakfasts and 7 dinners are included.

Do I need a visa to travel to Germany and the Czech Republic?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.

How do I get to Bad Schandau to start this tour?

Fly into Dresden Airport (DRS) or Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and then take a train to Bad Schandau (approximately 2 hours). Alternatively, you can take a 5-hour train from Hamburg Airport (HAM) to Bad Schandau.

Where does the Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour end?

The tour ends back in Bad Schandau when you check out from your hotel on the last day. You can take the train back to your departure airport.

Can I stay longer in some of the locations?

Yes, you can stay for additional nights in any of the overnight locations mentioned in the tour. We will be happy to help you arrange accommodations.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Germany and the Czech Republic?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Germany and the Czech Republic?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

When is the best time to travel to Germany for this tour?

The best time to travel to the Elbe Sandstone Mountains for this hiking tour is from April to October, with the warmest weather in the mountains is at its warmest. Please note that this tour is not available from 21st to 24th of June.

Tour Difficulty

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Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour

Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour

Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour

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What travellers are saying about 10Adventures

Why travellers choose this tour

We're Canadian