Tour

13.65 km long

Difficulty: difficult

Condition: very difficult

Great panorama

Hiking

Kleinsteinhöhle — © Britta Hirschburger, Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz | CC-BY

Technisches Denkmal Neumannmühle im Kirnitzschtal — © Marko Förster, Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz | CC-BY

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

Pavements

Unknown (75%)

Street (1%)

Gravel (1%)

Trail (6%)

Path (17%)

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

Directions

The fifth stage first takes you a short distance upstream along the Kirnitzschtal valley to the Buschmühle. You’ll turn left toward Arnstein (archaeological remains of a medieval rock fortress). You’ll then follow the Neuer Weg and pass the Kleinstein—with its scenic view and Sturmbauers Eck—until you reach the road toward Räumichtmühle, which you’ll follow to the Mühlschlüchte junction. A steep, natural trail leads you up to the Großer Pohlshorn. You’ll hike down to the Kirnitzsch River and then through old spruce and silver fir stands 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 invites visitors inside the former “Eishaus.” 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:

Bus line 252 (Schmilka – Bad Schandau), stop: Schmilka Border Crossing
Schmilka Ferry
S-Bahn Line S1 (Meißen – Schöna) from Schmilka-Hirschmühle
Steamboat, sightseeing boat

Additional information

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

Accommodations certified as "Hiker-Friendly on the Malerweg" along Stage 5

Hiking with a Dog:

This stage should be no problem if you're

hiking

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

Website

License (master data)

Yvonne Brückner

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

In the organic village of 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

Open year-round, except when icy or snowy

Trail markings

Detailed stage descriptions: https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/wanderungen/malerweg-etappe-5-neumannmuehle-schmilka

Please note any detours: https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/malerweg/planung/aktuelles

Map

Order here: Malerweg Shop

Event