Painters Trail (all stages/official version)

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115.66 km long
round trip
Difficulty: medium
condition: medium
Great panorama
Hiking
  • 20:15 h
  • 3,524 m
  • 3,563 m
  • 112 m
  • 543 m
  • 431 m
  • 115.66 km
  • Start: Pirna-Liebethal
  • Destination: Pirna Markt
Painters Trail (all stages/official version by the tourism association of Saxon Switzerland)

 

Fascination not only for Romantics

Following the Painters Trail (Malerweg), you hike all year round through densely wooded, wild and romantic gorges, past bizarre rock formations and breathtaking views.

Detailed stage descriptions: https://malerweg.link/gps   Please note diversions: https://malerweg.link/status

An inexhaustible abundance of bizarre rock formations, densely wooded, wild and romantic gorges and majestic table mountains with breathtaking views: That is what the “Malerweg” trail in the national park of Saxon Switzerland has in store for you. And it is the reason why especially artists have been drawn to the picturesque rock formations from the start. Follow in the footsteps of famous Romantic painters like Caspar David Friedrich, Carl Gustav Carus, and Ludwig Richter. Experience the fascinating rock landscape of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains from its most picturesque side on this hiking trail so rich in tradition. And while doing so, be sure to enjoy the numerous sights like Pirna, a town painted by Canaletto, or the house of the impressionist painter Robert Sterl in Wehlen-Naundorf as well as the numerous welcoming taverns on the way.

 

Starting point:

You can start the hike wherever you like. However, to start at the Liebethaler Grund valley is highly recommended.

 

Hiking trail markers:

Complete signposting (constantly checked), marked with a proprietary logo

 

Characteristics:

The Painters Trail leads you through gorges and secluded wooded areas, past sandstone formations and impressive views. The different stages provide magnificent clear views, e.g. of free-standing table mountains, left and right of the Elbe river.

 

Level of difficulty:

easy to difficult, surefootedness required

Good to know

Best to visit

suitable
Depends on weather

Directions

Current information on directions, accommodations, reroutings, etc. can be found on the website of the Painters Trail at: www.saechsische-schweiz.de/en/home-malerweg/. 

Tour information

  • Cultural Interesting

  • Loop Road

  • Stop at an Inn

  • Summit

Equipment

Sturdy footwear recommended

Directions & Parking facilities

Saxon Switzerland is connected directly to the Saxon capital Dresden via the motorway A17, the A-road B172 and the railway system of the Deutsche Bahn (German Railway, EuroCity railway track Hamburg - Dresden - Prague). Urban railways and coaches leave in short, regular intervals from Dresden – incorporating the airport as well – into the region. Small towns near the Elbe river can also be approached by the historic steamboats of the Sächsische Dampfschiffahrt company.  The ride up the river may take a little bit longer but in turn provides you with an unmatched view of the landscape. The vast network of coach lines and urban railways in the region allows an easy journey to the starting point of the hike. Two bridges (Bad Schandau, Pirna) and foot passenger ferries (Schmilka, Bad Schandau, Königstein, the spa town of Rathen, Wehlen town, and Pirna) lead across the Elbe river.
Guests that want to change their accommodations with each stage, have long-term car parks at their disposal.
The journey to the starting point and endpoint in Pirna is possible by coach or train.

Train: Pirna station


Coach: Central coach station – ZOB Pirna Information:


https://www.vvo-online.de/en/index.cshtml

Additional information

Saxon Switzerland Tourism Association
Bahnhofstr. 21
01796 Pirna
Telefon: +49 (0) 3501 470147
Fax: +49 (0) 3501 470148
E-Mail: info@saechsische-schweiz.de
Internet: www.saechsische-schweiz.de/malerweg

Literature

Careful selection of hiking guides: https://shop.saechsische-schweiz.de/malerweg/  (only in German, unfortunately no foreign language guides available)

Author

Yvonne Brückner / Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz e.V.

Organization

Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

Comfortable hiking on the Malerweg Elbe Sandstone Mountains with just one central accommodation. Tips and benefits can be found here.

Safety guidelines

- Due to bark beetle damages, particular caution is advised!

- No special aids required.


- Partially, the paths are very narrow.


- Not all viewpoints are secured with guardrails.


 


Emergency services:


Fire brigade 112; Police 110


On-call medical service 116 117


Mountain rescue boxes are positioned at various points, where first aid equipment is available. If it is necessary to call for help, you will find a number on the back of the signposts in the national park that can be used by rescue services to determine the exact location.


 


Please note: Only marked paths may be accessed in the core area of the national park of Saxon Switzerland! Fines may be imposed in case of infringements.


Hiking trail markers 

Map

Careful selection of card material: www.saechsische-schweiz.de/shop/malerweg

Nearby

Getting there
Painters Trail (all stages/official version)
01796 Pirna