Malerweg Trail | Eurohike Walking holidays

116 Kilometers

From Liebethal to Pirna

8 Stages

each between 11 and 18 kilometers

556 meters

Highest point: Großer Winterberg

Elbe Sandstone Mountains

Celebrated in landscape paintings by artists

April to October

Best time to travel

Route & Itinerary

The Malerweg Trail winds for about 116 kilometers through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in Saxon Switzerland – from Liebethal to Pirna. Along the way, you’ll encounter deep gorges, striking sandstone cliffs, and impressive plateau mountains, each offering ever-changing views.

The hiking paths are largely natural yet well maintained and consistently marked with the Malerweg Trail symbol. Some sections include stairs or steeper climbs – but easier alternatives are available, allowing everyone to enjoy the landscape at their own pace.

Hiking Bliss on Our Most Scenic Tours

Alle Tours on the Malerweg Trail

Hiking Bliss on Our Most Scenic Tours

All tours on the Malerweg Trail

Questions and Answers about hiking the Malerweg Trail

Where is the Malerweg Trail?

The Malerweg Trail is located near Dresden/Pirna in Saxon Switzerland in Germany.

How long is the Malerweg Trail?

The Malerweg Trail extends over a total of 112 kilometres.

Who is the Malerweg Trail suitable for?

The Malerweg Trail falls under our category walking. The route runs over good hiking paths through the beautiful natural landscape of Saxon Switzerland. We recommend a good basic level of fitness and surefootedness for an enjoyable hiking experience.

What special highlights can be found along the Malerweg Trail?

You can experience numerous highlights on foot on our walking holiday Painter walking tour, 7 days. During the route you walk in the footsteps of famous painters. On 13 display boards along the way you can learn about the history and paintings by these artists. Another highlight can be found on the third day as you meet the Bastei Bridge, which, with a total length of 76 metres, blends picturesquely into the landscape.

How long are the respective daily stages on the Malerweg Trail?

On the daily stages of our walking tours on the Malerweg Trail, you cover between 10 and 17 kilometres per day.

How is the route/stages on the Malerweg Trail?

The route on our hiking holiday on the Malerweg Trail leads you from Bad Schandau to Rathen, Königstein, onwards to Gohrisch, Krippen and finally back to the beginning of your hiking tour in Bad Schandau.

When is the best time to hike the Malerweg Trail?

The best travel time for a hiking tour on the Malerweg Trail is from May to October.

In which hotels/accommodation do you stay overnight while hiking on the Malerweg Trail?

On our walking holiday on the Malerweg Trail you will stay in beautiful hotels and cosy guesthouses.

A hiker on the Malerweg in Saxon Switzerland

The Most Beautiful Places Along the Malerweg Trail

Liebethal

This quaint village rests peacefully on the edge of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Here, the first hiking paths begin, winding through shaded forests and across gentle plateaus. Liebethal gives a wonderful early impression of the region’s characteristic upland landscape.

Spa Town Rathen

Located at the famous Bastei rock formation, Rathen is best known for the iconic Bastei Bridge. From here, sweeping views stretch across the gorges and cliffs, showcasing the region’s distinctive beauty. It’s a favorite spot for photos and short breaks.

The ferry terminal in the spa town of Rathen

Bad Schandau

This spa town on the Elbe serves as the starting point for many stages. The first impressive views of the sandstone cliffs appear here, and the proximity to Saxon Switzerland National Park is palpable. It’s an ideal place to soak up the atmosphere before venturing deeper into the rocky landscape.

Spa Town Gohrisch

Nestled among striking sandstone mountains, Gohrisch is defined by its typical sandstone formations. Small hiking trails lead directly through the surrounding landscape, making it a perfect spot for a short rest.

Papststein

A dramatic plateau mountain featuring a rocky path and viewpoint. A small mountain hut at the summit provides an inviting spot to pause while enjoying panoramic views of the Elbe Valley.

Pfaffenstein & Königstein

Pfaffenstein is a prominent sandstone mountain with wide-ranging views over the Elbe Valley. In Königstein, Europe’s largest hilltop fortress — the Königstein Fortress — impresses visitors with both its scale and historical significance. From nearby Rauenstein, you can also enjoy stunning views of the fortress and its surroundings.

Königstein Fortress with a beautiful view

The Most Scenic Stages on the Malerweg Trail

Pirna – Spa Town Rathen

16 Kilometers | ↗ 350 Meters | ↘ 350 Meters

The bus takes you across the Elbe, after which you’ll hike through the tranquil Liebethaler Grund and over sunny plateaus to Lohmen. Passing through the Uttewalder Grund, the trail descends to the famous rock gate before continuing through pine forests to the Bastei, with its bridge and scenic viewpoints.

Spa Town Rathen – Bad Schandau

↔ 18 Kilometers | ↗ 600 Meters | ↘ 600 Meters

This stage begins in the Amselgrund and climbs over plateaus to the Hockstein summit. Through the Wolfschlucht, the trail descends into the Polenztal. Following forest paths, you’ll reach the Brandbaude, a welcoming spot to rest, before continuing to the National Park Railway and finally arriving at the spa town of Bad Schandau.

Bad Schandau – Spa Town Gohrisch

↔ 14 Kilometers | ↗ 700 Meters | ↘ 800 Meters

The bus takes you directly into the National Park. Hiking through open pine forests, you’ll reach the Zeughaus and then the Goldstein, with sweeping views extending into Bohemian Switzerland. Continuing over the Großer Winterberg, you arrive at the organic village of Schmilka, where you cross the Elbe by ferry before continuing on to Gohrisch.

Kurort Gohrisch – Pirna

↔ 18 Kilometers | ↗ 700 Meters | ↘ 850 Meters

The final stage takes you over the rock passage Nadelöhr onto Pfaffenstein, featuring a lookout tower and stunning panoramic views. Along boardwalks and past the Barbarine rock formation and the Diebeshöhle cave, the trail leads to Königstein. A short detour to the fortress is highly recommended before concluding the hike at Thürmsdorf Castle and returning to Pirna by public transport.

Why Choose to Hike the Malerweg Trail?

Bastei & Scenic Trails

Breathtaking panoramas from the iconic Bastei Bridge.

Inspiration for Artists

Landscapes that inspired the painter Caspar David Friedrich.

Historic Spa Towns

Bad Schandau and Rathen, full of charm, history, and character.

Nature-Friendly Rest Stops

Recharge at cozy mountain guesthouses and rustic shelters.

Elbe & Diverse Landscapes

Stunning mix of river views, forests, and rock formations.

Malerweg Trail: Your Benefits with Eurohike

Perfectly organized hiking tours

In Eurohike hiking vacations, you enjoy that extra level of service and comfort. From start to finish, our Eurohike travel specialists plan and organize your active vacation, giving you even more time to enjoy your active getaway. During your hiking tour, you can focus worry-free on what truly matters: the joy of hiking with your loved ones.

Comprehensive guidance from our travel specialists

Our experienced travel specialists are available to assist you at any time, both during the selection of your tour and throughout the booking process. Your wishes and concerns are our top priority, ensuring that your journey becomes the most beautiful time of the year.

Well-prepared travel information and route descriptions

All guests receive a comprehensive information package with detailed walking maps and travel documents including tips and information on culture, cuisine, country and people - tailored to the respective region and requirements of the individual walking tour. Every year, we review the route meticulously, and continually develop new variations that provide even more insights into the land and culture.

Accommodations with feel-good factor

After a wonderful day of cycling, you will be welcomed in our carefully selected accommodations in the evening. We choose our accommodations with care and consideration, always with a focus on their special orientation towards active vacationers and opportunities for evening relaxation. You'll experience that extra level of comfort on our charming hiking tours, where you can enjoy even more feel-good facilities and an added touch of indulgence.

Hiking without luggage

With us, you'll enjoy the most comfortable form of active vacation. Eurohike transports your luggage to the next accommodation every day. Leave the hotel in the morning with ease, and by evening, your bags will already be waiting at the next lodging. Experience a completely carefree hiking adventure across Europe with our luggage transfer!

Personal on-site support

Our Eurohike original tours are characterized above all by the personal touch for which we have been known for many years. For our original tours, you will be personally welcomed by our team members at the arrival destination. In an informational meeting, all details about the tour and the itinerary will be explained. Our on-site team is also available for tips and recommendations.

Exploring the most beautiful routes with our on Tour-App

We invest a lot of time and effort in crafting our routes and meticulously review them regularly. Thanks to the Eurobike & Eurohike on Tour app, navigating the most beautiful cycling routes in Europe becomes child's play, ensuring you don't miss any of the highlights along the way.

Travelife-Certification

We are certified as a sustainable tour operator! Our green actions have been officially confirmed by Travelife - an international certification programme for sustainability management in the travel industry. We had to fulfil over 260 criteria in various areas: from environmental protection and energy-saving measures to emissions management and consumer protection.