Chat with us on our contact page or fill out the form below!
Tucked away in the rugged landscape of southeast Germany, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains are a treasure trove of hiking routes through sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, deep valleys, and table mountains. The 8-day Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour reveals the stunning scenery of 'Saxon Switzerland' with natural and historic sites like the incredible rock formations at Bastei Bridge and the Barbarine pinnacle, and the impressive Königstein Fortress. A hiker’s paradise!
Each day's route is carefully planned to show off the variety of viewpoints and attractions, including the Rock Arch Pravčická Brána, the largest natural rock arch in Europe, and the views from the steep Schrammstein Cliffs. As a bonus, you can relax in the quaint spa towns where you stay along the way after a long day of walking through this gorgeous scenery.
Keen to explore Germany’s incredible mountains? See you on the trail!
Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour
Tucked away in the rugged landscape of southeast Germany, the Elbe Sandstone Mountains are a treasure trove of hiking routes through sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, deep valleys, and table mountains. The 8-day Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour reveals the stunning scenery of 'Saxon Switzerland' with natural and historic sites like the incredible rock formations at Bastei Bridge and the Barbarine pinnacle, and the impressive Königstein Fortress. A hiker’s paradise!
Each day's route is carefully planned to show off the variety of viewpoints and attractions, including the Rock Arch Pravčická Brána, the largest natural rock arch in Europe, and the views from the steep Schrammstein Cliffs. As a bonus, you can relax in the quaint spa towns where you stay along the way after a long day of walking through this gorgeous scenery.
Keen to explore Germany’s incredible mountains? See you on the trail!
Marvel at the Elbe Sandstone Mountains' amazing rock formations at Bastei Bridge and Barbarine.
Visit Rock Arch Pravčická Brána, the largest natural rock arch in Europe.
See historic sites like the impressive Königstein Fortress and Hohnstein Castle.
Navigate gorgeous gorges, verdant valleys, and waterfalls en route to quaint spa towns.
Trip map
Barbara C.
Amalfi Coast Bicycle Tour
We went through 10Adventures not familiar with them at all, and it was the best decision we ever made!
Allyson K.
Everest Base Camp
Just an amazing experience. Absolutely lifechanging!
Amy D.
XC Skiing in the Dolomites
It was a fantastic trip and Nadine was extremely responsive to all of our questions.
Andrea S.
Full Via Rhona
We loved that we could easily customize the trip and add a couple of extra days in Geneva, in Lyon, and finally in Orange.
Andrea M.
Trekking Ecuador's Volcanoes
Our trip was great, we had an amazing time, and I highly recommend 10Adventures.
Andrea M.
Ladakh - Markha Valley Trek
Very kind, very helpful, attentive, and they took care of everything for us!
Andrew C.
Portuguese Camino Cycling Tour
Thank you 10Adventures, especially Nadine Gravis for all your help and support.
Becky M.
Camino Portugues
It was a fantastic experience from beginning to end!
Beth K.
Munich to Venice Cycling Tour
We were well supported and route directions were easy to follow!
Beverly M.
Munich to Venice Cycling Tour
We were well supported and route directions were easy to follow!
Bill B.
Torres del Paine O and W Circuit
10Adventures arranged everything for us, and what a trip it was!
Bipin J.
Tour du Mont Blanc
We stayed in the best hotels, enjoyed delectable food, and hiked over 100km. Thanks to 10Adventures for making a memorable trip!
Bryn T.
Camino de Santiago (from St Jean de Pied a Port)
It's been superbly organized by 10Adventures all the way.
Carol L.
Portuguese Camino in Deluxe Hotels
This trip had been on both of our bucketlists for a long time; however, we had no idea how to start it and what to do, until we found 10Adventures.
Carol V.
Camino Portuguese
Thank you 10Adventures, it was indeed a buen camino!
Catharine T.
Loire Valley: The Land of Castles Cycling Tour
We had an incredibly magical time that will stay with us for a lifetime.
Charmain C.
8-Day Self-Guided Portuguese Coastal Camino in Luxury
A bucketlist experience, it was out of this world!
Chris N.
Camino De Santiago (Frances)
10Adventures sorted out all of my accommodations and itinerary, and everything went as smooth as silk.
Christie O.
Camino de Santiago (English Way)
It was perfect! I liked the fact knowing that I had somebody to call if I needed any assistance.
Colleen N.
9-Day Self-Guided Rhône River by Bike Tour
This was a fantastic trip due to the flexibility offered to us by Nadine, our booking agent.
Craig and Ali C.
Cinque Terre 7 day Pilgrimage to Portovenere
Thank you so much 10Adventures! It was amazing and we're really looking forward to booking our next adventure with you.
Denise O.
Camino Francés 100km
The trip itself was mindblowing and better than we could have ever expected
Dorian H.
3 Day Aurora Borealis
I had a great trip with 10Adventures!
Doug H.
Dingle Peninsula Cycling Tour and Alpe Adria Cycle Path Tour
We chose 10Adventures because they are a very simply run, but reasonably priced and very well-organized organization.
Drew S.
9-Day Self-Guided Rhône River by Bike
10Adventures was awesome!
Eloise R.
Loire Valley: The Land of Castles Cycling Tour
Our entire trip was very well organized, and we had very detailed instructions we could always resort to.
Euan D.
Cycling Dolomites to Lake Garda
Cycling Dolomites to Lake Garda
Gisèle S.
Porto to Lisbon Cycle Tour
We couldn't have done this trip without Nadine's help! We had a couple of challenges and she helped us out.
Guri-Lise H.
Cycling from Porto to Lisbon Tour
Wonderful picnics!
Holly A.
Piedmont Val Maira Walking Tour
I cannot recommend the tour and 10Adventures enough!
Jeanne G.
7 Day camino De Santiago (in luxury 😊)
Nadine was my travel guide and expert, and she was wonderful!
Jennifer W.
9 day multisport adventure in Greece
10Adventures took care of everything!
Jillian R.
12 Night Hiking and Camping Through Canadian Rockies
Truly the trip of a lifetime!
Jinny M.
Self-Guided Alpilles of Provence Cycling Tour
We loved getting our luggage carried and we loved that it was all organized for us!
Aisling G.
Picos de Europa
Really good value for the money, and having booked it I won't be doing any organizing myself any more.
Alexander R.
Camino de Santiago, English route
We had a great time. The tour was very well organized, we stayed in nice places, and made some friends along the way.
John D.
Venice to Croatia Bike Tour
Great hotels, good breakfast every day, and good maps that always got us where we needed to go.
John O.
Camino Frances Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logrono
The price was far better than all of the other companies we had looked at.
Julieanne M.
The Complete TMB
All we had to do was show up, read the wonderful packet, and use the app that they provided. Such a weight off my shoulders!
Karen J.
Tour du Mont Blanc
We're ready for our next adventure!
Katarina P.
Walking in Val d’Orcia: Montepulciano to Siena
The trip was absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to go back!
Kate D.
Cotswolds Self Guided Bike Tour
It was a dream. I can't think of a better way to see the world!
Kellie C.
Laugavegur Trail
This was a dream trip for us and Nadine at 10Adventures planned it out to perfection.
Kelly D.
Custom Greece Tour
From the very beginning, the folks at 10Adventures - Richard and his team - took care of every single detail.
Kelly R.
Canal Du Midi Bike Tour
10Adventures did a fabulous job of planning!
Kevin N.
Rhone River Cycling Customized Trip
Great trip; we all throroughly enjoed it!
Kimberley D.
Camino Frances in Luxury
I didn't have to worry about a thing! Nadine and the team are amazing, I highly recommend them!
Kirsten S.
Il Primitivo
The whole process was great! Nadine helped us figure out where we wanted to go and how to block out the trip.
Lavern G.
Aurora Borealis Tour
The experience was just so wonderful!
Lee B.
Discover Quebec Self-Drive Tour
It was an awesome adventure!
Leslie L.
Cycle Venice, Italy to Porec, Croatia
From the initial inquiry right through to completion of the trip, the friendly staff was super efficient and the tour went very smoothly.
Lisa R.
Alpine Crossing 2: Garmish to Merano Tour
10Adventures was able to have everything laid out for me and planned perfectly so that I could literally go from one guesthouse location to the next.
Marilyn W.
Portuguese Camino from Porto
It's an awesome adventure. Don't wait, take yours!
Martha M.
Tour du Mont Blanc
It was a lot easier going through 10Adventures, I honestly don't think we could have booked our trip without that support.
Maureen W.
Minho and Porto Cycling Adventure
Nadine was a great help in assisting us with some minor tweaks to the itinerary, and while we were there we found the organization, the planning, and support were brilliant.
Max W.
Piedmont Val Maira Self Guided Hiking Tour
Everything was super well-organized by 10Adventures, they were very accommodating and communicative
Michael S.
El Camino Primitivo
This was absolutely the trip of a lifetime!
Mei Ling H.
Camino Frances (Sep 23)
I would like to express my appreciation to 10Adventures for the incredible experience on my first Camino Frances
Michelle H.
Tour du Mont Blanc
Thanks 10Adventures!
Kellie C.
Tour du Mont Blanc
10Adventures was our obvious choice when we decided to hike the Tour du Mont Blanc.
Mike C.
Tour du Mont Blanc
This wasn't my first time travelling with 10Adventures, and it certainly won't be my last!
Nancy E.
Portugal Sintra-Cascais
Thank you 10Adventures for some unforgettable experiences!
Nicole G.
Porto - Lisbon cycling
It was absolutely beautiful! We loved the service from 10Adventures.
Rachel D.
Venice to Croatia Cycling Tour
Can't say enough good things about 10Adventures. Communication with Nadine as we planned was spectacular!
Reid C.
Kitzbuhel to Drei Zinnen
I had the pleasure of doing a 10Adventures trip this summer and it was honestly one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
Renee H.
Venice to Croatia
We're just really appreciative of the experience and all of the help that the team gave, it was super smooth.
Renee S.
Tour du Mont Blanc
The accommodations that they booked for us were amazing, better than we would have picked on our own!
Rich G.
Patagonia O Circuit
Nadine and 10Adventures were just fantastic in setting up the trip and all of the logistics
Robert P.
Moselle Valley 6 Day Self Guided Cycle Tour
Highly recommend the 6-Day Moselle tour with 10Adventures.
Roberta F.
Camino de Santiago
10Adventures have been amazing communicators!
Rodney P.
Full Via Rhona
We had a fantastic time! The bikes were excellent
Sarah C.
X-Country Skiing in the Dolomites
We had a wonderful time, in no small part due to the wonderful support that 10Adventures gave us.
Sawyer P.
Full Via Rhona
Very amazing and very scenic!
Lesley C.
Discover Quebec Self-Drive Tour
Thank you Nadine for coordinating our discover Quebec trip!
Shahryar T.
8 Day Hike the Alpe Adria Trail Tour
Nadine and Richard have been outstanding in the way they have met our specific requirements and the flexibility they have shown.
Shelley S.
Ecuador Volcano Trek
Wonderful guides, the trip was well-organized, the food was delicious
Skye L.
Walking the Camino
Every step I took was really magical, and it was a lifechanging adventure.
Stacey C.
Dolomites to Lake Garda
Having retired from professional sport a couple of years ago, it was just exactly the challenging adventure that I needed.
Sue W.
Dana to Petra Jordan
I can't even describe it, it was so wonderful!
Svetlana L.
Alta Via Dolomites
The experience of planning the trip was outstanding!
Sylvia F.
Porto to Lisbon Bike Tour
It was all a fantastic experience, and a lot of it was due to the support and good service that was offered from Nadine from 10Adventures.
Teresa B.
West Highland Way 7 Day Hike in Scotland
10Adventures answered all of my email questions fast and promptly, and even checked in with us when we were on our hike to see how we were doing.
Timothy K.
Vanoise Loop
I couldn't be happier with how things turned out, specifically Nadine helped me before, after, and during the hike.
Tony W.
Slower Pace Camino de Santiago
Just like my first camino, all I have to worry about are my feet. Thanks 10Adventures!
Uwe P.
Tenerife South to North Walking Tour
The contact with 10Adventures, especially with Nadine, was excellent and very personal
Vanessa V.
Avenue of the Volcanoes 2019 and Markha Valley Trek 2022
10Adventures took care of every detail!
Wai Lee Y.
10-Day Camino de Santiago in Luxury
It was an exhiliarating and awesome experience that exceeded all my expectations!
One of the most popular health resort and spa towns in Saxony, Bad Schandau is a charming spot on the Elbe river with a historic downtown full of Medieval architecture.
Check in to your hotel and have the day free to stroll around admiring the sights.
Your first day of walking starts with the climb to Brand, known as the 'Balcony of the Saxon National Park' with panoramic views of the Sandstone Mountains. From here you continue to the regal Hohnstein Castle and go through the Wolfsschlucht Gorge.
You finish in the lovely spa town of Rathen, passing beautiful, green-shrouded Amsel Lake on the way.
Start early in the morning to appreciate the Bastei Bridge with its stunning views over the Elbe river valley and the Table Mountains of the Saxon Switzerland fairly undisturbed. After passing the small village Wehlen the next highlight is the Rauenstein before descending again to Rathen or further to Königstein (according to hotel availability).
Today's hike takes you through forest paths to the striking Barbarine rock pinnacle, a 42m high freestanding rock that is an icon of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Take those photos!
After admiring the views of the Königstein Fortress below, you continue through Muselweg to reach the spa town of Gohrisch. Perhaps a massage is in order?
Experience a breathtaking hike from Gohrisch to Lilienstein, another landmark in Saxon Switzerland.
After a short warm up you walk slightly uphill crossing meadows and fields. You make your way to the top of the Table Mountains Gohrisch (448 m) and Papststein (451 m). From the tops wonderful views will compensate for the effort. An old mill with gastronomic offers is worth a break before you continue towards Krippen. Overnight stay in Krippen or Bad Schandau.
It's a steep climb via steel ladders and staircases to the Schrammstein Cliffs, but it's worth it to see the panoramic views of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
Follow the Malerweg Trail to reach the rushing Lichtenhain Waterfall, and return by bus or train to Bad Schandau for the tour's last night.
From Bad Schandau it’s time to begin your journey home, though you are welcome to prolong your holidays. Either way, safe travels!
The reviews below are from all the tours organized by the local team in Germany.
This self-guided tour is always run as a private tour for your group only.
2025 Departures
Daily departures are available from April to October, with some exceptions in the spring and early summer.
- Single room: from $1,450USD*
- Sharing a double room: from $1,095USD*
*-Pricing for this tour depends on the dates of your trip and all the prices are per person. Please click the booking button below to get the exact pricing for your trip dates.
Meals
7 breakfasts and 7 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Additional nights at every overnight location can be added as a supplement to give you more time to explore.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage from hotel to hotel is included throughout the walking tour.
Also Included
- 1 package with maps and information per room (in English)
- Service hotline during the walking tour
Not Included
- Transportation to and from Bad Schandau
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Guide services
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- GPS data on request
- Upgrade to Deluxe Accommodation
Accommodation for Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour
This tour is based in hotels and guesthouses. Hotels on this trip are 3-star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. Rooms may have fireplaces or access to amenities such as hot tubs, steam rooms, or private decks to lounge on. You can also upgrade the accommodation to Deluxe (please inquire for more information).
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
If you are a solo traveller or prefer a single room, the required supplements are included in the listed prices.
How hard is the Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. This tour requires participants to have a suitable level of fitness for consecutive days of walking or hiking 10km or more, with some elements of climbing or scrambling potentially required. Active hikers who are comfortable in varied terrain will get the most out of this tour.
Can I take my dog with me?
Although in most cases booking this tour with dog is possible, please enquire in advance as it might require some special arrangements for accommodation and might cause some extra charges.
I’ve never been on a self-guided trip! How does it work?
Self-guided travelling is not difficult! For many, it is a preferred type of travel as you are in charge of your own time and pace. You are provided all the information on which direction you need to go daily. However, self-guided travelling requires good navigation skills and those who don’t feel confident in unknown places should consider booking guided tours.
Do I have to carry my luggage?
Your luggage will be sent from hotel to hotel every day along the tour, so you do not have to carry your bags with you.
Are meals included on the Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour?
7 breakfasts and 7 dinners are included.
Do I need a visa to travel to Germany and the Czech Republic?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Bad Schandau to start this tour?
Fly into Dresden Airport (DRS) or Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and then take a train to Bad Schandau (approximately 2 hours). Alternatively, you can take a 5-hour train from Hamburg Airport (HAM) to Bad Schandau.
Where does the Elbe Sandstone Mountains Circular Walking Tour end?
The tour ends back in Bad Schandau when you check out from your hotel on the last day. You can take the train back to your departure airport.
Can I stay longer in some of the locations?
Yes, you can stay for additional nights in any of the overnight locations mentioned in the tour. We will be happy to help you arrange accommodations.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Germany and the Czech Republic?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Germany and the Czech Republic?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
When is the best time to travel to Germany for this tour?
The best time to travel to the Elbe Sandstone Mountains for this hiking tour is from April to October, with the warmest weather in the mountains is at its warmest. Please note that this tour is not available from 21st to 24th of June.
Why book with 10 Adventures?
Self-guided Specialists
Combine the freedom of travelling on your own with the confidence that all of the logistics are taken care of.
Packed with Inclusions
We take care of accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - so you can focus on making memories.
World Class Support
Have peace of mind for when travel plans change with our hassle-free booking process and unbeatable support.
Let's start talking about your next adventure!