Malerweg, Stage 5: From Neumannmühle to Schmilka (official version by TV Sächsische Schweiz)

  • 13.65 km long
  • Difficulty: difficult
  • Condition: very difficult
  • Great panorama
  • Hiking
  • 7:00 h
  • 13.65 km
  • 587 m
  • 676 m
  • 119 m
  • 543 m
  • 424 m
  • Start: Neumann Mill
  • Destination: Schmilka
This section of the Malerweg trail leads through the national park along the Kirnitzschtal valley, past Arnstein, Kleinstein, Zeughaus, and Rosssteig, all the way up to the Großer Winterberg.

Neumannmühle - Buschmühle - Arnstein - Neuer Weg - Kleinstein - Sturmbauers Eck - Räumichtmühle - Mühlschlüchte - Großes Pohlshorn - Kirnitzsch - Zeughaus - Goldstein Lookout - Rosssteig - Katzstein - Großer Winterberg - Schmilka

Good to know

Pavements

Unknown (75%)
Street (1%)
Gravel (1%)
Trail (6%)
Path (17%)

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

The fifth stage takes you first a short distance upstream along the Kirnitzsch Valley to the Buschmühle. You’ll turn left toward Arnstein (archaeological remains of a medieval rock fortress). Then, via the Neuer Weg and the Kleinstein—with its view and Sturmbauers Eck—you’ll reach the road toward Räumichtmühle, which you’ll follow until the junction with the Mühlschlüchte. A natural, steep trail leads you up to the Großer Pohlshorn. You’ll hike down to the Kirnitzsch River and then through old stands of spruce and silver fir to the Zeughaus. From here, the trail ascends via the Rosssteig and the Katzstein to the summit of the Großer Winterberg, the second-highest mountain in Saxon Switzerland. This 556-meter-high basalt gorge, carved through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains , is crowned by a mountain restaurant and an observation tower; next to it, another national park information center in the former “ice house” invites visitors to stop by. The Malerweg then descends into the Elbe Valley to the small village of Schmilka. Here, you’ll arrive directly at the Schmilka watermill. Based on a copperplate engraving by A. L. Richter, the mill was reconstructed in 2007 and has been fully operational ever since.

GPS data updated in 2021

Tour information

  • Cultural Interesting

  • Stop at an Inn

  • Summit

Equipment

Sturdy footwear required

Directions & Parking facilities

Getting there
via Sebnitz toward Ottendorf or via Bad Schandau toward the Lichtenhain Waterfall
Parking
Parking Lot - Neumannmühle
Public transportation
Directions:
  • Bus Line 241 (Hinterhermsdorf – Bad Schandau – Pirna), stop: Kirnitzschtal Neumannmühle

Departure:

Additional information

Hinterhermsdorf Tourist Information: +49 03 59 74 / 52 10

Accommodations certified as “Hiking-Friendly on the Malerweg” along Stage 5


Hiking with a dog:

This stage should be no problem with a dog.

Literature

Order now: "Malerweg in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains" (Published by: Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz e.V.)

Author

Yvonne Brückner

Organization

Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz

License (master data)

Yvonne Brückner
License: Attribution, ShareAlike

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

In Schmilka, there are different events and rituals every day. In the evening, it’s worth not only visiting the sauna but also attending a lecture on the history of Saxon Switzerland.

Safety guidelines

Map

Order here: Malerweg Shop