Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour
Push your limits on a challenging hiking tour in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains
Lifetime Deposit
Self-Guided
Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour Overview
For those who crave a physical challenge, this self-guided Malerweg trekking tour has bigger days than the 10-day Standard Malerweg Tour. Trekking the Malerweg Trail in a week is a 115 km journey through the undulating landscapes of Saxony. Each day truly makes you go the distance, covering up to 22 km 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?
Trip highlights
Enjoy phenomenal views of the famed Bastei Bridge and the Brand Viewpoint, earned through challenging hikes.
Traverse valleys and ravines to the Lichtenhain Waterfall and Kuhstall Cave.
Take on the impressive hike up Großer Winterberg, the region's second-highest mountain.
See Königstein Fortress, one of Europe's largest hilltop fortifications.
Day By Day Itinerary
Welcome to Dresden or 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 or Dresden
- Distance:
- None
- Meals:
- None
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 Hohnstein
- Distance:
- 4 hours, 10.5km, 477m of ascent, 369m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast, dinner
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, Kirnitzschtal or Bad Shandau (depending on the availability) where you will find your accommodation for the evening.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Altendorf, Kirnitzschtal or Bad Shandau
- Distance:
- 6 hours, 15km, 596m of ascent, 518m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
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 take a bus to go back to Kirnitzschtal valley, Bad Schandau or Altendorf.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Kirnitzschtal valley, Bad Schandau or Altendorf
- Distance:
- 6.5 hours, 18.5km, 698m of ascent, 755m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
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. In some cases, depending on the availability, you might stay in Schmilka.
- Overnight Location:
- Hotel in Krippen or Schmilka
- Distance:
- 5.5 hours, 13.5km, 617m of ascent, 718m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
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 Gohrisch
- Distance:
- 6.5 hours, 18km, 617m of ascent, 718m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
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 or Dresden
- Distance:
- 4 hours, 9km, 270m of ascent, 469m of descent
- Meals:
- Breakfast
With 115 km 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
Tour Map
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Inclusions
Included
- 7 breakfasts and 1 dinner are included in the tour.
- 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 for your luggage from hotel to hotel is included throughout the tour. Train tickets for the walking days are partially included with the guest card. Airport transfers are not 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
Reviews
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
These reviews reflect all trips offered by this local tour partner on 10Adventures, not just the tour you’re viewing.
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FAQ
We rate this tour as a 4/5. This tour requires consecutive days of walking up to 22 km 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.
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.
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.
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.
7 breakfasts and 1 dinner are included.
Fly into Dresden Airport (DRS) then take a Virail train to Pirna (approximately 1.5 hours).
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.
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.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover hiking. Get your Travel Insurance.
Check with your family doctor.
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.
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.
Why book Malerweg Trail in a Week Tour 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
Accommodations, luggage transfers, gear rentals, and more - all taken care of 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.
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