Königsweg - Hiking favorite Dresden Elbland

4:00 h
11.21 km
25 m
33 m
162 m
183 m
21 m
Start: The start of the circular walk is at the main entrance to Moritzburg Castle (Schlossdamm), at the castle parking lot
Destination: The end of the circular walk is at the main entrance to Moritzburg Castle (Schlossdamm), at the castle parking lot

The circular hike on the Königsweg combines the experience of a historic cultural landscape with the Moritzburg hunting lodge at its center and a surrounding varied pond and forest landscape, which was already appreciated by the Saxon electors and kings.

The "Königsweg" is a circular hiking trail within the Moritzburg cultural landscape and one of the 12 Dresden Elbland hiking favorites. The approx. 11 km route is easy, almost flat and barrier-free.

The trail is signposted in both directions. We recommend starting in the direction of Käthe-Kollwitz-Haus.

At the start of the hike, hikers can enjoy the splendor of the castle and pond complex. Immediately after leaving the village of Moritzburg, the hike leads into the Friedewald forest, parts of which were specially designed by the Saxon electors for hunting. The still existing system of aisles and avenues gives visitors a sense of the extent of the courtly hunts. Forests and ponds are embedded in a small hilltop landscape and have been declared a nature reserve and bird sanctuary. The more than 25 ponds are connected by an ingenious canal system and are fed exclusively by rainwater. This is why they are also known as sky ponds. Along large sections of the hiking trail, you can enjoy the idyllic tranquillity of the pond and forest area and, with a bit of luck, even spot white-tailed eagles, great egrets and other rare animals. The hike then leads past mysterious-looking traces of former game enclosures, such as quarry stone walls, canals, aisles, feeding cellars and ditches.

In the last part of the hike, the Königsweg leads into a landscaped garden with the Fasanenschlösschen, which is also known as "paradise in a nutshell" due to the complete courtyard estate in a very small space. Built as a rococo-style summer palace on a hill, it forms a unique landscape ambience in combination with the lighthouse, harbor and large pond, which gives an idea of the opulent courtly festivities celebrated here. Resting places invite you to linger even today.

You can download the leaflet on the hiking favorite "Königsweg" here:

https://www.dresden-elbland.de/r/626723620?page=media%2Fdownload

The Königsweg at Komoot:

https://www.komoot.com/de-de/tour/1362955346