Malerweg Trail - Germany

This 112 km long trail is world famous for its spectacular natural beauty. The park is located in the east of Germany, in the town of Pirna. It is divided into eight stages, each of which takes one day to complete. The average distance of each stage is 17 km.

This trail is so popular because during the Romantic period of European painters, painters such as Carl August Riichter, Johann Alexander Thiele and Caspar David Friedrich, all 18th century painters, found their source of inspiration on the Malerweg Trail.

Practical guide for hikers

The easiest way to get to the trail is by three. From the main station in Dresden it is possible to get off at any of the stages you wish to start with. In this case, we recommend starting in the village of Pirna-Liebethal.

Once we have finished the first stage, we will enter what is known as the most popular stage of The Malerweg Trail. Its architectural elements and the beauty that surrounds it mean that from its start in Stadt Wehelen to the Bastei Bridge the route is packed with people. The bridge, which is about 200 years old, is 194m above the Elbe. It belongs to the town of Hohnestein, which also has an amphitheatre carved into the sandstone. The trail is only 13 kilometres long, but part of the route is through caves that lead to the Polenztal valley. With all of the above in mind for this second stage, we recommend not getting overwhelmed by the crowds and if you are claustrophobic, avoid entering the caves.

Stages three, four and five are not very complicated, although they are a far cry from the scenery seen above. These last two start in the town of Bad Schadau and descend into the Kirnitzchtal valley. It is a landscape full of old mills; some have been renovated to keep them as an attraction, but others are being left to rot so that they can be seen in their natural state. Hikers have the option of riding a tram that runs 8km along the valley. It then turns off to Schrammstein, a section of sandstone outcrop 400 metres above sea level. It offers magnificent views and climbers are often keen to climb it. If you want to spend the night somewhere along the route, we recommend an old sawmill. It consists of huts and a barn decorated with elements from the 19th century.

The next excursion is a climb to Winterber, which stands at an altitude of 556m. The surrounding landscape and architecture mixes old and modern elements. The route ends in the village of Schmilka and from the boat you can see the former German-Czech border.

The last three stages lead back to Pirna from the river bank. Along the way you can visit the fortress of Königstein, which was built 400 years ago.

Small tips

It is important to take into account the physical fitness of each person. During the stages there are quite steep beads, so those who have difficulty going up or down slopes should walk with great caution and refrain from going.

As far as clothing is concerned, clothes should be comfortable, and shoes that protect the foot from the different storms. Above all, even if it is not a place with a lot of rainfall, it is advisable to wear waterproof jackets. So that in case of rain you can continue on your way and not get in the way.

In terms of food and accommodation. It is important to load your backpack with enough food to be able to have at least one meal during the tour. A snack and enough water to be able to do the route are essential. In the case of accommodation, at the end of each stage you will find cabins with shared rooms and in some of them hotels with all the necessary equipment.

The second stage is the busiest because of its tourist attractions. If you are looking for a quieter route, it is advisable to avoid this one and do any of the others. If you are in doubt about what time of the year to make the trip, spring and autumn are the months when the colours of the leaves stand out.

If you are travelling from outside Germany, it is recommended to take a flight to Berlin and from there the two-hour flight to Dresden. The start of each route should be around 10 a.m. in order to be able to finish on time on each day.