Night 1
Hotel in Pirna
A picturesque little city in the Elbe Valley, Pirna boasts a historic town centre brimming with medieval architecture.
Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour
Prices
Highlights
Push your limits on a challenging hiking tour in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains
For those who crave a physical challenge, the Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour is a 115km journey through the undulating landscapes of Saxony. Each day truly makes you go the distance, covering up to 22km at a time.
At every section of the trail, you'll see what makes this region an underappreciated must-see, including the famed Bastei Bridge, Großer Winterberg, the Schrammstein massif, and Papstein and Gohrisch. There are also waterfalls, striking rock formations, caves and gorges to traverse, plus historic sites like the imposing Königstein Fortress. This 8-day hiking adventure rewards you with the stunning natural beauty of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, and it’ll push your physical limits every step of the way. Doesn’t that make the summit feel even more incredible?
Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Pirna
Welcome to the small city of Pirna, a historic city centre brimming with beautiful architecture. Check in to your hotel and be sure to rest up before tomorrow's walk.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Pirna
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- None
Day 2 Pirna to Hohnstein
First thing in the morning, you will take a brief train ride to the starting point of your adventure in
Wehlen, where you will enjoy beautifully scenic views of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains from the Bastei Bridge. From here, you will head downhill into the Amselgrund valley, making your way toward the second landmark along the tour, Hockstein Rock.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Rathen
- Distance
- 5 hours, 17km
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 3 Brand Viewpoint and Tiefen Grund Gorge
Today you will hike through the Polenztal Valley to reach Brand Viewpoint – known as the 'Balcony of Saxony’ – and descend 800 steps into Tiefen Grund Gorge. From here, you will continue on to Altendorf, where you will find your accommodation for the evening.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Altendorf
- Distance
- 6-7 hours, 22km
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 4 Schrammsteine Viewpoint and Lichtenhain Waterfall
The hike up the impressive Schrammsteine massif reveals a gorgeous viewpoint and then takes you past the Big and Small Dome. Next en route is the Lichtenhain Waterfall and the Kuhstall Cave, a natural rock formation with a large arch that you can explore.
After your second full day on the trail, indulge in regional cuisine and rest up tonight.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Neumannmühle
- Distance
- 6.5 hours, 17km
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 5 Großer Winterberg to Krippen
At 556 metres high, Großer Winterberg is the second-highest mountain in Saxony. The hike to its peak takes you past the lovely Zeughaus lookout before reaching the peak, a feat worth celebrating!
After descending to Schmilka, you’ll cross the Elbe River by ferry to reach Krippen.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Krippen
- Distance
- 7-8 hours, 22km
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 6 Hotel in Gohrisch
Today you will continue on towards Gohrisch, but first you will need to climb to the top of the two
scenic table mountains. From the summit of Papstein and Gohrisch, you will enjoy spectacular views of the valleys below.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Königstein
- Distance
- 7 hours, 21km
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 7 Fortress of Königstein to Pirna
The last stage of the Malerweg Trail is a relatively short one that takes you past Pfaffenstein and Cave Diebeskeller, before arriving at the “Fortress of Königstein.” Take some time to explore this
“impregnable” fortress, before heading back to Pirna by train.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pirna
- Distance
- 6.5 hours, 17km
- Meals
- Breakfast
Day 8 Departure from Pirna
With 115km successfully completed, your journey on the Malerweg Trail comes to an end. You can either depart from Pirna or add on some additional nights in Pirna or Dresden. Whatever you choose, you should toast a pint to celebrate!
- Overnight Location
- None
- Distance
- None
- Meals
- Breakfast
Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour Price and Dates
This self-guided hiking tour of the Malerweg Trail is run as a custom tour for your group and the price per person is fixed.
Prices below are per person:
- Price per person staying in a single room: $995USD per person
- Price per person sharing a double room: $795USD per person
Accommodation on Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour
This tour is based in hotels. 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.
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 price.
Night 2
Hotel in Hohnstein
A small but scenic town, Hohnstein is known for its castle and timber houses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Night 3
Hotel in Altendorf
A small but scenic town, Altendorf is a quiet overnight location on the Malerweg Trail.
Night 4
Hotel in Neumannmühle
A small and quiet village in the mountains, Neumannmühle lies on the Malerweg Trail and is a popular overnight location for hikers.
Night 5
Hotel in Krippen
Laying on the opposite side of the Elbe River, Krippen is home to the train station that connects with the Czech Republic.
Night 6
Hotel in Gohrisch
A historic spa town by the Elbe River, Gohrisch has lovely scenery and table mountains.
Night 7
Hotel in Pirna
A picturesque little city in the Elbe Valley, Pirna boasts a historic town centre brimming with medieval architecture.
Hotels on Standard Tour
What’s Included in the Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour?
Meals
7 breakfasts are included in the tour.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 7 nights are included. Accommodations before and after the tour are not included but can be added as a supplement. You can also add on additional nights at any of the overnight locations along the tour route.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for your luggage from hotel to hotel is included throughout the tour. Bus tickets on Days 2, 4 and 5 are also included. Airport transfers are not included.
Also Included
- Luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
- 1 package with maps and information per room (in English)
- Service hotline during the walking tour
Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Visas if required
- Transportation to and from Pirna
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Ferry transfer (around 2 EUR per person)
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Additional nights during the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- GPS data on request
Frequenty Asked Questions about Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour
How hard is the Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour?
We rate this tour as a 4/5. This tour requires consecutive days of walking up to 22km per day with some elements of climbing. Participants should be comfortable in mountainous terrain and capable of completing very long hikes for multiple days in a row.
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.
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.
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 Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour?
7 breakfasts are included.
How do I get to Pirna to start this tour?
Fly into Dresden Airport (DRS) then take a Virail train to Pirna (approximately 1.5 hours).
Where does the Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour end?
The tour ends back in Pirna, when you check out from your hotel on the last day. You can take a taxi or bus back to Dresden, about 25 minutes away.
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 a visa to travel to Germany?
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.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Germany?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Germany?
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 Saxony for this hike is from May to September when the weather in the mountains tends to be the warmest and clearest.
Reviews
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Why 10Adventures?
Rated 4.9 on Google Reviews
Tour Difficulty
We rate this tour as a 4/5. This tour requires consecutive days of walking up to 22km per day with some elements of climbing. Participants should be comfortable in mountainous terrain and capable of completing very long hikes for multiple days in a row.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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