Königsweg - A Hiker's Favorite in Dresden's Elbland Region
- 4:00 h
- 11.21 km
- 25 m
- 33 m
- 162 m
- 183 m
- 21 m
- Start: The circular hike begins at the main entrance to Moritzburg Castle (Schlossdamm), at the castle parking lot
- Destination: The circular hike ends at the main entrance to Moritzburg Castle (Schlossdamm), at the castle parking lot
At the start of the hike, hikers can enjoy the splendor of the castle and pond complex. Immediately after leaving the town of Moritzburg, the trail leads into the Friedewald, parts of which were specifically designed by the Saxon electors for hunting. The surviving system of clearings and tree-lined avenues allows visitors to get a sense of the scale of the courtly hunts. Forests and ponds are nestled within a landscape of rolling hills and have now been designated a nature and bird sanctuary. The more than 25 ponds are connected by a sophisticated canal system and are fed exclusively by rainwater. For this reason, they are also known as “Himmelsteiche” (Heavenly Ponds). Along much of the hiking trail, you can enjoy the idyllic tranquility of the pond and forest area; with a bit of luck, you might even spot white-tailed eagles, great egrets, and other rare animals. The hike then leads past mysterious-looking remnants of former game preserves, such as rubble stone walls, canals, clearings, feed cellars, and ditches.
In the final section of the hike, the Königsweg leads into a landscape garden featuring the Fasanenschlösschen, which is also known as the “Paradise in a Nutshell” because it houses an entire court in such a small space. Built as a summer palace in the Rococo style on a hilltop, it combines with the lighthouse, harbor, and large pond to create a unique landscape atmosphere that gives a glimpse of the opulent court festivities once celebrated here. Rest areas still invite visitors to linger today.
You can download the brochure for the popular “Königsweg” hiking trail here:
https://www.dresden-elbland.de/r/626723620?page=media%2Fdownload
The Königsweg on Komoot:
Good to know
Pavements
Best to visit
Directions
At the intersection in front of the parking lot, turn left onto Steinerner Weg, continue straight ahead, and at the next major intersection, turn right onto X-Weg.
Follow the X-Weg until it ends in front of the Unterer Altenteich, then turn right onto the HC-Weg. Continue along this path, pass the shelter, and at the fourth fork in the trail, turn briefly right onto the Neuer Weg, then immediately turn left onto a hiking trail that runs along the Mittelteich all the way to Kalkreuther Straße.
Here, turn right and walk along Kalkreuther Straße until you reach the next fork in the trail. There, turn left and follow the trail to the observation deck at the Frauenteich. Here, keep to the right and continue straight ahead, crossing Allee IV and Allee III, until you reach Radeburger Straße at the Mauerwiese.
Follow Radeburger Straße to the left for a short distance, then immediately turn right onto the path and follow it past the Blühfeld. Next, turn right toward Fasanenschlösschen and continue straight ahead until you pass the Marcolinihaus on your left and head toward the lighthouse.
Continue straight ahead past the Fasanengarten, right along the Oberer Großteich, until you reach the Waldschänke. Here, turn left onto the small Fasanenstraße and follow it to Radeburger Straße. There, keep left and walk along the Schlossteich all the way back to the starting point.
Tour information
Cultural Interesting
Loop Road
Stop at an Inn
Suitable for Pushchair
Equipment
Directions & Parking facilities
From the A4, Dresden-Wilder Mann exit and Dresden Airport: Take the S81 to the S179, about 15 minutes by car
From Meissen, Coswig:
Take
the S80 to Moritzburg, about 25 minutes by car
From Großenhain: Take the S81, about 30 minutes by car
Directions via the A13 from Berlin: Take the Radeburg exit—drive through Berbisdorf to Moritzburg
Moritzburg Castle Parking Lot (Markttreff) and 5 other parking lots nearby (paid parking; please follow the parking signs)
Moritzburg, Schloss or Markt stop
Line +477 from Radeburg, Großenhain, and Dresden
Line 405 from Radeburg and Coswig
Line 458 from Großenhain
By train:
Lößnitzgrundbahn from Radebeul-Ost or Radeburg to Moritzburg Station
Additional information
You can pick up the route flyer and maps at the Moritzburg Information Center (100 m away, Schlossallee 3b).
Literature
You can also download the brochure for the popular "Königsweg" hiking trail here:
https://www.dresden-elbland.de/r/626723620?page=media%2Fdownload
Author
Dresden Elbland Redaktion
Organization
Dresden Elbland
License (master data)
Dresden Elbland Redaktion
Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author
Combine your hike with a visit to Moritzburg Castle and its rotating exhibitions. Alternatively, you can visit the game reserve and the Käthe Kollwitz Museum. Find out about current events at the Moritzburg Information Center, Tel. 035207-8540. Take advantage of the dining options at Mittelteich (km 6: “Seeblick” restaurant) or at Fasanenschlösschen (km 9: “Marcolini,” “Ausspanne”).
Safety guidelines
The trail is almost entirely flat and accessible. In rainy weather, some sections of the trail may be slightly muddy. More than 95% of the trail consists of natural or sand-and-gravel paths. Benches are available at intervals of approximately 500 meters or less.
Map
Nearby
Download GPX file