Götterfelsenweg - Hiking favorite Dresden Elbland

4.61 km long
Round trip
Difficulty: medium
Condition: very easy
Great panorama
Hiking
  • 1:20 h
  • 4.61 km
  • 89 m
  • 89 m
  • 119 m
  • 209 m
  • 90 m
  • Start: Adventure playground Wald-Burg am Kirchsteig
  • Destination: Adventure playground Wald-Burg am Kirchsteig
Meissen: Where the forest tells stories

Sometimes you only have to take a few steps to enter another world. This is exactly the case in Meissen's city forest: just a stone's throw away from the hustle and bustle of the city, an enchanted realm of dense deciduous forests, hidden valleys and majestic views opens up. A place where nature still dictates its own rhythm and everyday life seems far away. The Götterfelsenweg is one of 12 hiking favorites in the Dresden Elbland region.

An experience right from the start

A highlight for children awaits right at the start: the new "Wald-Burg" adventure playground with slides, climbing elements and a small stream. While the little ones romp around, the adults can relax and take a deep breath. Then it's off on a longer walk directly into the mixed forest. The first view is soon reached: the Hohe Eifer, the highest point of the tour at around 210 meters. From the platform on the edge of the rock face, you have a wide view across Meissen to Albrechtsburg Castle and the cathedral. Behind the platform are the traces of an old castle complex - once a guard post, today a quiet place for hikers.

The main destination of the tour, however, is the Götterfelsen rock. It towers over the Triebischtal valley and bears a striking golden summit cross. An impressive view of the valley opens up from up here. The black rock is made of pitchstone - a rare volcanic rock that is unique to this area in the world. A small plaque on the cross commemorates the founding of the Landesschule St. Afra - a grammar school for particularly gifted pupils and a place with a lot of history.

Pure nature right on the doorstep

The circular trail is around 5 kilometers long and leads through one of the most beautiful city forests in Saxony. Gnarled beeches and old oaks grow here, chaffinches fly between the branches and, with a bit of luck, you may spot traces of badgers. The Triebisch valleys nature reserve is a refuge for many animal and plant species. Along the way, information boards provide fascinating insights into nature - from rare birds to the importance of the forest for the urban climate.

A worthwhile detour leads to Königsee, a former quarry. The dark pitchstone walls and the small pond amidst the trees create a tranquil, almost magical atmosphere.

For the whole family

The Götterfelsenweg is easy to walk and is also suitable for families with children. There are plenty of places to rest, ideal for short breaks or a picnic in the countryside. The excursion is worthwhile at any time of year: in spring the forest floor is in bloom, in summer the canopy of leaves provides shade and in autumn the forest is transformed into a sea of color.

The Götterfelsenweg trail combines nature, history and beautiful views - right in the middle of Meissen's city forest. Those who hike here soon realize that you don't have to travel far to find real experiences.

The Götterfelsenweg trail on Komoot:

https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/2484296955

Wegemarkierungszeichen Götterfelsenweg
© Dresden Elbland | CC-BY
Wegemarkierungszeichen Götterfelsenweg

Waypoints

Start
Start
Adventure playground Wald-Burg am Kirchsteig
© Philipp Herfort, Dresden Elbland | CC-BY
Cathedral of Meissen
Church
Destination
Destination
Adventure playground Wald-Burg am Kirchsteig

Good to know

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

The tour starts at Kirchsteig, directly at the "Wald-Burg" adventure playground. Follow the path straight ahead into the forest, always along the Gainitzbach stream. After approx. 400 m, keep half right and follow the inflow of the Stadtwald spring in the valley. After approx. 450 m, turn left, cross the stream and walk on the other side of the valley for approx. 300 m in the opposite direction. Then turn right and follow the Gainitzbach again.

At the next crossroads, turn left, cross the stream and continue along the edge of the forest to the Hohe Eifer, which you can reach by keeping left. Back on the original path, continue straight ahead into the forest to the next detour "Schöne Aussicht". From there, keep left and walk along the edge of the forest again until you come to the next fork straight ahead to Götterfelsen. Turn right onto the path, keep left at the next fork and follow the path along the allotments to the next crossroads.

Here you can take a detour to the left to Königsee or continue along the route to the right and take the steep path down into the valley. There you turn left along the edge of the forest and "An der Hohen Eifer" back to the Kirchsteig and thus to the starting point.

Tour information

  • Loop Road

Equipment

Sturdy shoes, otherwise no special requirements.

Directions & Parking facilities

from Dresden: A4, exit Dresden-Altstadt via the B6 towards Meißen or A4, exit Wilsdruff via the S177 towards Meißen

from Leipzig: A14, exit Nossen-Ost via the B101 towards Meißen

from Chemnitz: A4 exit Dreieck Nossen via the B101 towards Meißen

from Berlin: A13 exit Radeburg via S177 towards Meißen

Free parking spaces are available at the Kirchsteig starting point
by train:

to Meißen from Dresden: S-Bahn line 1, Meißen-Triebischtal station

by bus:

Line 418, 423, C, bus stop Hohe Eifer

Connection information - Saxony information

Author

Dresden Elbland Redaktion

Organization

Dresden Elbland

License (master data)

Dresden Elbland Redaktion
License: Attribution

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

If you want to walk a little longer, you can combine the "Götterfelsenweg" with the hiking favorite "Durch die Triebischtäler":

https://www.visit-dresden-elbland.de/tour/durch-die-triebischtaeler-wanderliebling-dresden-elbland

Safety guidelines

Caution is advised at the viewpoints (Götterfelsen, Schöne Aussicht or Hohe Eifer), as some of the rocks there are steep and there are no railings everywhere!

Map

Nearby