Saxon Switzerland National Park

Saxon Switzerland National Park near Bad Schandau protects one of Germany's most dramatic landscapes: sandstone towers, table mountains, deep gorges, and forests along the Elbe River. Famous sights such as the Bastei Bridge, the Schrammsteine rocks, and the Kuhstall rock arch are all here, and the scenery continues across the border into the Czech Republic's Bohemian Switzerland. It's one of the best things to do near Dresden for hikers and nature lovers.

Park at a glance

The national park was established on October 1, 1990, just before German reunification, and covers about 93.5 square kilometers (36 square miles) in two separate sections. The western part includes the Bastei and Lilienstein; the eastern part takes in the Schrammsteine and the Grosser Winterberg, at 556 meters the park's highest point. Some 400 km (250 miles) of marked trails cross the area, and the park welcomes around 1.7 million visitors a year.

Top sights

• Bastei: the region's most famous viewpoint, with its 19th-century stone bridge high above the Elbe.
• Schrammsteine: a jagged ridge with superb views, reached by steep stairways and ladders.
• Kuhstall: a huge natural rock arch on the Neuer Wildenstein, with a narrow stairway called the Sky Ladder leading higher.
• Kirnitzsch Valley: a leafy valley served by a historic tram from Bad Schandau.

The area is also legendary among climbers, with more than 1,100 climbing summits and over 15,000 routes, governed by strict traditional rules.

National Park Center

Start at the NationalparkZentrum in Bad Schandau (Dresdner Strasse 2b), an interactive exhibition on geology, wildlife, and human history. As of October 2026:

• April to October: daily 9 am to 5 pm
• November to December and February to March: Tuesday to Sunday 9 am to 5 pm; closed in January
• Tickets: adults 4 euros, reduced 3 euros, children free, families 8.50 euros

The building is fully wheelchair accessible. Entry to the national park itself is free.

How to get there

The park lies southeast of Dresden, close to the Czech border.

• By train: S-Bahn trains run from Dresden along the Elbe to Kurort Rathen, Königstein, and Bad Schandau in under an hour. Local trains are covered by the Deutschlandticket.
• By car: Drive via Pirna into the Elbe valley; trailhead parking fills up fast on sunny weekends.

Tips and rules

Stay on marked trails, follow the climbing rules, and only camp overnight in designated rock shelters. A major forest fire spread into the park in July 2022, and storm damage has also led to periodic trail closures, so check the park's trail service before setting out. Spring and fall bring the best hiking weather; winter can mean icy stairways.

Visiting with kids

The National Park Center is a great rainy-day option for families, with models, films, hands-on stations, and an outdoor playground. On the trails, the Kuhstall and the short walks around the Bastei work well for children, while the ladders and stairways of the Schrammsteine are better suited to older kids with a good head for heights. Riding the historic Kirnitzsch Valley tram is a fun outing in itself.

Is it worth visiting?

Absolutely. Saxon Switzerland is one of Germany's most distinctive landscapes and makes a fantastic day trip or multi-day hiking base. For a first visit, combine the Bastei with a walk through the Schwedenlöcher gorge; with more time, explore the quieter eastern section around the Schrammsteine.