The complete classic Malerweg route Malerweg route
> From Pirna-Liebethal to Pirna
> Stay in pleasant guesthouses and hotels
Not far from Dresden, on the border with the Czech Republic and on the banks of the River Elbe, you will find one of the most beautiful examples of German nature. National Park Saxon Switzerland is home to the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and this is where the Malerweg runs, a 112-kilometer hiking trail that can be walked in 8 stages.
During this hiking holiday, you will hike the entire Malerweg in 8 stages, and experience Saxon Switzerland in all its glory. Because the accommodation before and after the hike is included, you will be on the road for 10 days. Your stay in comfortable guesthouses and hotels along the way is taken care of, and your remaining luggage is transported to your next accommodation. All you have to do is concentrate on the beauty of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and get inspiration for perhaps your first or next work of art.
Note: It is important to mention that there are limited accommodation options along the Malerweg. This means that you may stay in a different village than originally planned. You can find the alternative villages listed below in the itinerary.
To reach the starting point of the hike, you need to take a bus to the entrance of the romantic Liebethaler Grund. You can check the current timetables at www.rvsoe.de. Alternatively, you can choose to hike this section as well, which will add approximately 1.5 hours to your day.
From there, the path follows the Wesenitz and passes the monumental Richard Wagner monument (designed by Richard Guhr, 1933) and the remains of the former Lochmühle. You then continue through Uttewalder Grund, famous for its stunning rock gate. From there, the path winds through rocky terrain. Along the way, you’ll pass the remains of one of the oldest castles in the region. The Malerweg then runs along the Elbe to mark the end of this first day.
Today is a slightly longer hiking day. You will walk down through the Dorfbachklamm into the Kirnitzsch valley. The path then ascends into the Schrammsteine, an elongated, sharply divided rock group. The Jägersteig ascent leads you via iron ladders to the Schrammsteingratweg where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Schrammstein. You then pass Lichtenhainer Wasserfall and walk to the impressive Kuhstall rock cave.
On the last stage of the Malerweg you follow the markings of the hiking trail from Weißig to the Rauenstein. Along the ridge you will reach Wehlen-Pötzscha. Follow the road and turn left to Naundorf, where the Robert-Sterl-Haus, the most important art museum of Saxon Switzerland, is located. In the center of Naundorf, the Malerweg leads along the high banks of former quarries to the Königsnase.
From the S-Bahn stop Obervogelgesang follow the Elbe cycle path in the direction of Pirna and turn left up to the Canaletto path, which you follow to the historic town center of Pirna. The end point of stage 8 is the Canaletto House on the market square.
