National Park Saxon Switzerland

National park Saxon Switzerland is actually German national park (not Swiss if you had assumed that), located in the Free State of Saxony. It covers an area of 94 square kilometres and it encompasses the German part of Elbe Sandstone Mountains, sometimes referred to as the Saxon Switzerland. It was established in 1990 and since then the park has been one of favourite day trips, especially since it is only 40-minute drive from Dresden.

There is also another park on the other side of the border with Czech Republic which is called Bohemian Switzerland.

NOTE: There is no entrance fee for the National park Saxon Switzerland or the Bastei Bridge.

What to do at National park Saxon Switzerland?

Hiking: Saxon Switzerland is truly a paradise for hiking lovers. More than 400 kilometres of trails and paths are specially marked for those who love to explore nature. If you want to know a bit more about the history of the park and its flora and fauna, you can get yourself a guided walk with a certified guide.

Climbing: Climbing is also very popular activity among visitors of Saxon Switzerland. There are over 700 peaks throughout the park, but first make sure you are properly dressed with an adequate equipment. Those who do not wish to climb rocks but still want some of that fresh mountain air can use marked mountain trails.

Bastei Bridge: The Bastei rocks are the biggest attraction of NP Saxon. They are a rock formation almost 200 metres high, situated above the Elbe River. In the first half of 19th century a wooden bridge was built between the rocks so that the visitors can enjoy the spectacular view. However, almost 30 years after the construction of the first bridge, the locals decided to make the authentic sandstone bridge which remained intact since then.

There are many other viewpoints in the park besides Bastei, such as Lilienstein, Kuhstall, Kipphorn and Schrammsteine rocks.

Königstein Fortress: Königstein Fortress is located on top of the eponymous hill and it is almost as equally popular as Bastei Bridge. The fortress was actually a state prison for many years, but today serves only as a tourist attraction. You can enter the castle for 8€ and check out some of its exhibits but people usually take a walk around 2-kilometre long wall to get the stunning view of Saxon Switzerland. Check more information

• Get to Königstein Fortress by S1 train from Dresden and exit at Königstein(Sächs Schw) station.

Source: Pixabay

What NOT to do at National park Saxon Switzerland?

Although there is no entrance fee and you are pretty much free to walk wherever you want, there are still some rules that should be respected:

• You are not allowed to build fire anywhere except on specially made fire pits intended for grilling and making picnics. In case you want to use these grilling areas, you must use your own wood and you cannot stay overnight (camping).
• In the restricted zone of the park is allowed to use only marked trails and paths.
• You should cycle only on special cycling trails.
• You are not allowed to pick forrest fruit and mushrooms unless it is for your own purposes.

How to get to National park Saxon Switzerland?

By train: The best way to get to the park is by taking an S-bahn train from Dresden Central railway station  to Bad Schandau (line S1) → schedule

Once you exit in Bad Schandau, you can check Tourist Info centre located in this town and get all the necessary information you need about the park.

By car: In this case, getting to NP Saxon Switzerland is way easier by train than by car since the railway line goes along the river Elbe and roads are a bit more complicated. But getting there by car has its advantages because you can leave your car closer to the “entrance” (there is no official entrance).

Popular bus routes to Dresden: Berlin – Dresden, Budapest – Dresden, Krakow – Dresden, Prague – Dresden

Railway along the River Elbe
Source: Pixabay

Accommodation

There are several options for an overnight stay:

In the NP Saxon Switzerland:

• If you want to camp and spend the night surrounded by wonderful nature, you are free to “boofen”, i.e. sleep under cave-like cliffs. However, this is only allowed outside the central part of the park.

Bad Schandau:

• Erbgericht Hotel (3*) – free Wi-Fi, restaurant
• Parkhotel Bad Schandau (4*) – free Wi-Fi, free parking, pool
• Hotel Elbresidenz an der Therme (5*) – free Wi-Fi, breakfast included, air conditioning in rooms, pool, transfer to and from the airport

Pirna:

• Hotel Sächsische Schweiz (3*) – free Wi-Fi, spa, restaurant, room service
• Hotel Zur Post (3*) – free Wi-Fi, free parking, pool
• Romantik Hotel Deutsches Haus (3*) – free Wi-Fi, restaurant

Bad Schandau
Source: Pixabay

Other information

Tourist information centre in Bad Schandau:

Markt 12
01814 Bad Schandau
Tel. 035022 90030
info@bad-schandau.de

Information points in → Amselfallbaude, Konigstein, Eishaus Großer Winterberg, Zeughaus and Schmilka