Germany / Saxony (Dresden & Leipzig) / Saxon Switzerland (Bastei)Saxon Switzerland (Bastei)
Sandstone Towers and the Bastei Bridge above the Elbe
A national park of sandstone pillars and gorges on the Elbe, 40 minutes upriver from Dresden by S-Bahn. The Bastei, a stone bridge strung between rock towers 194 m above the river, is the famous view: from Kurort Rathen station take the little ferry across the Elbe and walk about 30 minutes up, or come by bus. Königstein, a hilltop fortress, the Schrammsteine ridge and the Painters' Way (Malerweg) trail are nearby; Bad Schandau is the base, with a few direct trains from Berlin and to Prague. The Bastei is crowded on summer weekends: come early.
Highlights
- The Bastei Bridge and viewpoints
- Neurathen rock castle
- Königstein Fortress
- Schrammsteine ridge hike
- A stretch of the Painters' Way
- Elbe paddle steamer back to Dresden
Things to do
- Rathen to the Bastei Bridge and NeurathenMorning · 3h
- Königstein FortressAfternoon · 3h
- Schrammsteine ridge hike from Bad SchandauMorning · 5h
- Elbe paddle steamer between Rathen and Bad SchandauAfternoon · 1h 30m
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: April – October
Heads up
Forest-Fire Closures in Dry Summers
In hot, dry summers the national park can close trails for forest-fire risk, as large fires did in 2022. The Bastei viewpoint is also very crowded on summer weekends: come early in the morning or on a weekday, and check the park's notices before a long hike.