Saxon Switzerland – Sebnitz to Königstein #hiking #germany
Every year we visit hiking paths of Sächsische Schweiz, a journey that starts with a regional train journey from Berlin to Dresden and usually continues to the most scenic village Rathen via the local S-Bahn that goes along the Elbe.
Pro-tip: if you’re a couple, check for the daily family tickets for a nice discount.
Also known as Swiss Saxony, it has forests and sandstone mountains that have a prehistoric quality. At least that’s how we feel every time we traverse its well maintained, properly signed paths that also have wonderful restaurants in strategic points where you can rest and enjoy its views. Another interesting fact is that the allergies that haunt me in big cities don’t bother me here. My nose and lungs open up immediately. A truly healing experience.
On this trip we decided to start from a different village and walk through the forest from a new angle. We are using Komoot to plan our hikes and follow the trail on the map by pre-downloading them, because the internet connection is intermittent. (link below)
To reach Sebnitz we changed trains in Bad Schandau. The next local train headed back towards Dresden for a bit before crossing the bridge over Elbe.
Our goal was to walk back to Elbe and visit Königstein Fortress before taking the S-Bahn back to Dresden. Not knowing the size of the fortress and things to see, this turned out to be an ambitious plan.
The Königstein Fortress is built on a rock plateau that stands 240 metres (790 ft) above the Elbe, high enough to be seen from everywhere in the region, which looks even more majestic and impenetrable from up close, and probably that’s why it has never been laid siege or conquered through military action. However it lost its military value with the development of long-range guns at the beginning of the 19th century, and was used as a prison and a prisoner of war camp in both world wars.
Hope to see you on the trail!
Saxon Switzerland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saxon_Switzerland
Hiking routes: https://www.komoot.com/guide/29/hiking-in-saxon-switzerland
Königstein Fortress: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%B6nigstein_Fortress