Saxon Switzerland - national park Germany, covering an area of 93 km 2 in a wonderful mountainous landscape. The foundation of the national park was laid in 1956. The park received its current status after the unification of Germany. The park is adjacent to Czech Switzerland, located in the Czech Republic.
The first attempts to preserve Saxon Switzerland were taken back in the 19th and 20th centuries, when the unique landscapes were threatened by the construction of sand quarries, as well as new roads. In 1850, this small area finally received the status of an environmental protection zone, which the defenders of the Elbe Valley were happy about. A large number of actions to protect the area were carried out in subsequent years. In 1877 public organizations achieved a ban on the destruction of several rocks, including Bastai. But it was not possible to completely defend the region from possible efforts to destroy the region’s natural treasures for sandstone mining.
The most visited place in the park is the Bastei rocky massif, almost 200 meters high. On its ledges, park visitors can see stunning views of the table mountains and the Elbe River. The first hotel was built here back in 1812, and from that moment on, the popularity of these places only gained momentum. What stands out in the park is the stone bridge built in the 20th century and the famous “Artists’ Trail”, which was visited by many famous poets and painters.
The landscapes of Saxon Switzerland are characterized by unusual piles of rocks, narrow valleys, mesas and gorges. Saxon Switzerland is rich in rare animals and birds, such as dormouse, otters, and eagle owls. The bulk of the animals found shelter in the east of the park, which is adjacent to the Czech Republic. This part is rarely visited by tourists. Often seen in the park: owl, hawk, woodpecker, kingfisher, black stork, deer, marten, wild boar. The rivers are home to trout and salmon.
The area of the park can be explored by boat or by motor ship. A particularly romantic trip will be on an old paddle steamer or an old tram to one of the waterfalls in Lichtenhain. In addition, there are other attractions: the Königstein fortress, the theater located on open sky in the city of Rathen, Flessersteig castle, "Post Obelisk" in the city of Pirna, Neurathen fortress. You can feel the primitive delights of Saxon Switzerland on excursions conducted by guides national park or during an exciting kayak descent along the gorge.
This area has an abundance of rivers and mountain streams. The main water artery is formed by the Elbe River. The mountains here are not particularly high, on average 400-500 meters, but nevertheless they are chosen by many climbers. But it is worth noting that climbing is prohibited in rainy weather. Firstly, sandstone loses strength after rain, which can destroy rocks; secondly, the fragility of rocks makes climbing equipment attached to sandstone walls unreliable. It has a very warm and dry climate with an average annual temperature of 7.5 C°. But nevertheless, the winters here are cool and after strong snowstorms the snow can last for up to a month. It is better to climb rocks in May-September, at this time the weather is more constant.
It is forbidden to set up tents in the national park; is it possible outside of it, under some rock, in a grotto or cave? Local climbers call these overnight stays Beaufais.
Königstein, located in the very middle of Saxon Switzerland, can be reached by car or by train from Dresden, where there is also an international airport.
Saxon Switzerland is a charming corner of Germany near Dresden that attracts millions of visitors every year. The bizarre landscape created by nature, impregnable fortresses and castles, luxurious parks and palaces, magnificently decorated baroque cities attract travelers from all over the world.
| Saxon Switzerland |
How did “Saxon Switzerland” appear?
Saxon Switzerland, and Germany's continuing overseas "Bohemian Switzerland", make up the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, which were formed almost 100 million years ago. It was then that there was a huge sea, stretching between the Lusatian region and the Ore Mountains, and the rivers flowing into it carried sand from the mountains, which settled to the bottom for many millions of years and formed a giant slab of sandstone. After the sea retreated and disappeared, a plate appeared on the surface, and wind, rain, movements earth's crust, did their job: a liability appeared from bizarre rocks, different shapes, heights. A real mystical landscape, which romantics began to glorify in the relatively recent past.
This place became Saxon Switzerland in 1766, when two students of the Dresden Art Academy sent postcards home to their native Switzerland from the town of Keginstein with the words “From Saxon Switzerland to Switzerland.” Their names were Anton Grfa and Adrian Zingg. This is how it began to be passed on from mouth to mouth a nickname that in 200 years will become official name tourist region.
When to visit?
In general, there are no strict restrictions for visiting Saxon Switzerland. All seasons are good. Focus only on the daylight hours (the sun sets early, and, by the way, the sunset on Bastei is exceptionally good), and the weather. And so, in summer and spring everything is in bloom, in autumn it is beautiful during the period of multi-colored golden and crimson leaves, in December Christmas markets and various performances await you everywhere.
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| Bastei |
The only advice. Try to avoid Sundays and holidays. Then all the surrounding towns strive for nature; Bastei is a real anthill.
How to get there?
Saxon Switzerland covers the territory along the banks of the Elbe from Pirna to the Czech border. There are many nice small towns, castles, palaces with parks, and, of course, the main thing here is the nature reserve, the Saxon Switzerland National Park.
You can get here in different ways:
1)
From Dresden or any other city by car
2)
From Dresden By railway by train ( S - Bahn ) to Bad Schandau, with stops at the main points (Königstein, Rathen (on Bastei) and Pirna, trains run every half hour and cost 10.50 euros. The Dresden-Bad Schandau section travels in 45 minutes.
3)
On boat from Dresden: long, but beautiful. In principle, a trip by ship takes almost the entire day and there will be no time to explore several points, at most one while waiting for the return ship. All information.
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| City and fortress of Königstein |
What can you really visit in one day?
When visiting Saxon Switzerland you will not miss Pirny, which is called the “gateway to Saxon Switzerland”. A nice baroque city, a guide to which will soon be attached to the article and to the website. If you are only interested in a walk plus visiting the church, then allow yourself 2 hours. During this time, you can leisurely stroll around the city, climb the Sonnenstein Fortress (there is no museum, only a panoramic platform), go to the Church of the Virgin Mary and drink coffee. And then we move on.
From Pirna it is about 15 km to Bastei - the heart of the national reserve and one of the most picturesque places in Saxon Switzerland. You need to stay here for at least 3 hours: walk around Bastei (a guide is included), if you have time, go to the waterfall, have lunch with a view of the Elbe.
From here you can travel to Bad Schandau.On the way, stop briefly at Hohnstein.A small town hidden on the mountain. Charming houses and a massive imposing fortress (now a hostel, but it's fun to wander around the courtyard and see what's available, plus open beautiful views to the area).
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| Hohnstein |
So, Bad Schandau, as they say here, is the heart of Saxon Switzerland. Indeed it is. There is a resort with healing waters (in clinics) and thermal baths to relax after climbing the mountains, and a park for walks, and a boat along the Elbe towards the Czech Republic through the national park, and from here various routes around Saxon Switzerland start (if you have two days, then it would be good to devote a whole day to the region around Bad Schandau, but if not, then it is enough to explore the center, the Kurpark and explore the thermal baths).
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| Mystical mountain landscapes |
Two days in Saxon Switzerland
If you have two days, then on the first day, visit Pirna, explore the city and fortress Konigstein, take a walk around Bastei. And on the second day, head to the Bad Schandau region: from Shmilki(on the very border with the Czech Republic) there are hiking trails to very picturesque places in the national park: for the hardy ones, a walk to Pravchitsa Gate or Edmund's Gorge (in the Czech Republic).
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| Bad Schandau |
If it’s not so far away, then it’s fashionable to take an old tram for a walk along the valley of the Kirnitsch River or explore the areas adjacent to Bad Schandau: Ostrau (accessible by elevator) and Postelwitz.
Germany is a country that is famous not only for its traditions, but also for its natural attractions. One of these amazing places is the region of Saxon Switzerland, where the national park of the same name with an amazing mountain landscape is located. Of course, this place is chosen by rock climbing enthusiasts, but if you are not one of those, then it is worth visiting the rocky massif above the Elbe River. 
Saxon Switzerland is a region in western Germany, formed in 2008 during the municipal reform, and is part of the state of Saxony, district of Dresden. In the same place there is a national park of the same name, which was founded in 1956. total area this park 93 square kilometers. The center of the Saxon Switzerland region is the city of Pirna.
City of Pirna City of Pirna
Pirna is a regional center, a small town, its population is about 40 thousand inhabitants. This is a fairly old city; the first mention of it dates back to 1233. And despite its small size, there is something to see here. For example, the main attraction is the Town Hall - the first mention of it dates back to 1396. This building combines several architectural eras - Baroque, late Gothic and Renaissance. Another interesting place is a Boarding School, a complex of five city buildings of the 17th century. Canelottohaus is a town house from the first half of the 16th century. This building houses a tourist center, as well as a small exhibition of paintings.
Pirna is located only seven kilometers from Dresden, so it is easier to get here from this city. Trains run twice an hour, travel time is about 40 minutes. 
City of Rathen
City of Rathen
Rathen is a small resort town that is the starting point for those who want to visit the Bastei mountain range and its Bastei Bridge. You can get to Rathen by train from Pirna or Dresdan. From Dresdan to Rathen it is approximately 24 kilometers. If you are traveling by car, then from Dresdan you should take the A178 highway, then turn onto the A172a highway, after a short drive onto the S164 highway, which will turn into the S165 and then follow the sign for Bastei, where you will reach the tourist parking for cars and buses . The Bastei Bridge is about three kilometers away, so buses run from the site and will take you to your desired location. 
Bastei Bridge
Bastei
The Bastei Bridge is located on the right bank of the Elma River and is the most visited attraction in Saxon Switzerland. The first bridge on this site was built in 1824, and in 1851 it acquired modern look. Today the bridge is a historical landmark and architectural monument. From the bridge, laid between the rocks at an altitude of 195 meters and a length of 76.5 meters, a stunning view of the mountain landscapes of the national park opens. In foggy weather, it seems as if you are above the clouds. With the increase in the flow of tourists, the Bastei Bridge was equipped with protective railings, and sales tents and a restaurant. 
Konigstein
In addition to the bridge itself, during your trip you can also visit the nearby medieval fortress of Königstein, which is located on the mountain of the same name. This fortress is famous for its 152.5 meter deep well, which served autonomous water supply. By the way, this well is the second deepest in Europe. In addition, there is a museum dedicated to German and Saxon military history.
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What is Saxon Switzerland? Photos of this area resemble the picturesque mountains of an alpine country. Although the Elbian sandstone hills are located quite far from Switzerland. More precisely, in the southeast of Saxony, on the very border with the Czech Republic. In principle, the hilly terrain begins right next to Dresden. Nature, which is the best architect in the world, managed to create bizarre spiers, arches, towers and intricate figures from the bottom sediments of the ancient ocean that splashed here millions of years ago. Artists from Switzerland Anton Graf and Adrian Tsing, who taught at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts, noticed the similarity of the local mountains with their native Alps. And although the sandy hills of Saxony are far from reaching four thousand meters, the landscapes here are amazing. The mountains are cut through by numerous gorges, small rivers gurgle everywhere, cascading into the Elbe. How to get to this wonderful region and what you must see, read this article.
Saxon Switzerland: how to get there
The most convenient starting point for traveling around this picturesque region is Dresden. If you live in the city, you can get to the mountains by train in just half an hour. You need to get off at the station of the resort town of Rathen. From this point, which is located on the right bank of the Elbe, it is convenient to start climbing the Bastion Bridge. And if you take the train a couple more stops, you end up in Bad Schandau. An old tram departs from this resort town and runs to the Lichtenhain Falls. When choosing a second settlement as a starting point for hiking in the mountains, it is necessary, as the reviews say, to take care of suitable shoes, since not all of Saxon Switzerland is equipped with railings and comfortable steps, like the Artists' Path leading from Rathen to Bastei.
Easy one day route
If you have little experience of trekking in the mountains or you are burdened with years (or small children), reviews advise taking a walk along the convenient trail to Bastei. This natural rock formation is named so due to the citadel that controlled the Elbe Valley in the Middle Ages. A trip to Bastei will be successful even in cloudy weather. Then Saxon Switzerland will remind you of Japanese prints depicting mountains. But walking here is quite comfortable, since the height difference is small (relative height - 194 m, and absolute height - 305 m above sea level). The path - the so-called Artists' Path - is equipped with benches and railings. After passing through the sandy cliffs of Bastai, you can reach Lake Amsel with the waterfall of the same name. Reviews here advise having a snack in a cafe and heading further along the trail, following the sign for Schwedenlöcher. You will come out to an observation deck above the cliff. Well, then the path will lead you to the ancient, known since the thirteenth century, Rathen. The town still has a castle (Burg Altrathen). A non-motorized ferry will take you to the other side of the Elbe, where children will love the miniature railway museum.
Travel to Königstein
Reviews recommend that you definitely visit this impregnable medieval fortress when traveling around the region of Saxon Switzerland. What to see in one day? Of course, the castle itself. This fortress is located in the town of Königstein of the same name. It was built by the Czechs, and the citadel was first mentioned in 1233 in a charter of King Wenceslas I. In 1459, the castle along with the lands passed to the Margraviate of Meissen (modern Saxony, Germany). The fortress has the second deepest well in Europe - one hundred and fifty-two and a half meters. The local castle became the birthplace of the famous Meissen porcelain. The thing is that the alchemist Böttger was imprisoned in the fortress at the beginning of the 18th century. The prisoner had complete freedom to conduct his chemical experiments, as a result of which porcelain was invented. And during the Second World War, the collection of the Dresden Gallery was kept in Königstein.
Lichtenhain Falls
This half-man-made miracle of nature is located on the Kirnich stream. At first small waterfall did not attract the interest of tourists. Therefore, in 1830 they decided to block it with a sluice. An enterprising local resident opened a restaurant near the waterfall and opened a dam for money while listening to music. To look at the beautiful spectacle, tourists climbed the Saxon Switzerland plateau. For their convenience, a narrow-gauge tram was launched in 1898. Reviews advise waiting until the “dam caretaker” opens the gateway. Three minutes of mesmerizing action are guaranteed to you.
On Saturday 18 February, having responded to an offer to go on a day hike in Saxon Switzerland (not to be confused with the real Switzerland), I had one of the most interesting days In my life.
It’s been a while since I’ve been impressed by the landscapes; moreover, they were right next door, just 2.5 hours from Prague. Saxon Switzerland (German: Sächsische Schweiz) is the German part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. It is located on the upper reaches of the Elbe River near Dresden. Bastei (German: Bastei - bastion; height 305 m above sea level), in turn, is a formation of sandy rocks with an observation deck between the resort of Rathen and the city of Velen.
The cliffs rise above the Elbe to a height of 194 meters. Bastei is the most visited tourist attraction in Saxon Switzerland. Part of a nature park that includes both Saxon Switzerland and Bohemian Switzerland (in the Czech Republic). Is very popular place For active rest- walking and cycling excursions, as well as rock climbing.
To an experienced traveler asking himself another question: where to go and what to see in Germany, I can confidently recommend Bastei as one of the unique and unusual beautiful places in Europe.
Having united desires for travel, the Prague and Dresden Russian diasporas met in Saxony to take this exciting journey together, to which I invite you, friends...
Our route
The route ahead of us is one of the simplest offered by Dresden tourist club“IGW” Just 15 kilometers on foot through the mountains, and you are guaranteed a great appetite, and since the best ribs in Prague awaited us in the evening, the mood was super positive throughout the day.
“Green” ferry, operates without any fuel. It is attached to the right bank with a long cable and makes pendulum movements between the banks due to the river flow and correctly positioned rudders (with high level water in the Elbe, it is replaced with ordinary water).
A round-trip ticket costs 1.5 euros.
Meeting with cousin my cat James.
A sculptural composition consisting of images of people and animals are symbols of nearby rocks.
Gaining altitude...
The first peak of Gamrig has been taken!
Photo as a souvenir with my Hannover-Brest-Soligorsk friend, famous joker and traveler Seryozha Kondobarov.
View from the plateau of the mountains and the resort of Rathen.
View of the rock Lokomotieve, which means Locomotive, or in our opinion a train.
Little summit conqueror.
The centuries-old pines are impressive, they are simply very tall, and next to you you feel completely insignificant :)
A group of 25 people can easily stretch over hundreds of meters; in the mountains you can’t be crowded, and that’s different for everyone. In order not to lose onlookers, in any professional hike there is a leader and a trailing person.
People in winter time at the resort there is practically no. That’s why we actually ended up there :)
If you want to test a person, go to the mountains with him, no one has canceled this folk wisdom. Our team was positive, everyone helped each other, by the way, most of the participants in the hike, if you noticed, were women, for which I have great respect for them.
Everyone's favorite is the Siberian brown-eyed husky.
Group photo for memory.
In such places, willy-nilly, you think about the eternal. How many people have walked along these paths over hundreds of years, and the trees still stand and grow.
During difficult descents, I sometimes had to put the camera off my shoulder and into my backpack. There is a danger of damaging equipment even during such a simple walk in the mountains. By the way, I fell out of the blue, but the equipment and I remained intact. The lens fogging effect can also be used as artistic technique, is not it?)))
The Elbe froze well in these places, but checking for the sake of simply checking the thickness of the ice is very Russian...
Mountain resorts in Europe attract even more tourists in summer than in winter. Hiking, horseback riding, cycling and other types of tourism are very popular. This is facilitated by good infrastructure, most of the tourist paths are, for example, stone or asphalt.
Almost all restaurants and hotels are closed - it's not the season.
You walk along such paths and feel like you are in a real fairy tale.
The power of water is infinite, but it is also frosty in Saxony. A huge block of ice is a frozen waterfall.
Uuuuuuhhh, now this is Bastei! When there is a cliff a good hundred meters high under you, it is a very strong feeling, a feeling of freedom, at least.
View of the Elbe
The German resort of Rathen from the heights of Bastai.
It’s unacceptable not to take a photo in such a great place, especially on a wedding day :)
Trek leader Grigory Tsypin, candidate master of sports, championship winner Soviet Union in sports tourism, and just a good person.
The most recognizable place in Bastei is the Bastei stone bridge (Basteibrücke), which is over 200 years old.
Bastei is literally surrounded by observation decks. Even in 1800, the place was very popular among tourists and attracted artists and writers. Famous picture Felsenschlucht (Canyon), written
Caspar David Friedrich in this unusual place.
Eh, I wish I could shoot from such a unit!
Beauty in Saxon style...
Going down icy steps is not the safest thing to do, but there are no insurmountable obstacles. And a little extreme is always fun.
The forest is beautiful at any time of the year, even in cold February. By the way, it’s quite hot in the mountains, especially when you don’t stand still. Experienced travelers took off their sweaters at the beginning of the hike.
Details of the German resort town of Rathen.
The whole walk took us about 7 hours. We were guaranteed good mood for the whole week and good sleep...
