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From Wehlen to the most famous bridge in Germany - the Bastei

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

From Wehlen to the most famous bridge in Germany - the Bastei

Moderate

4.7

(1369)

4,298

hikers

From Wehlen to the most famous bridge in Germany - the Bastei

03:01

10.3km

290m

Hiking

The tour starts at the train station in Wehlen. You take the ferry across to the other side of the Elbe and climb up to Wehlen Castle. Then you follow the red dot marker through the Wehlener Grund, Zscherregrund, and Höllengrund valleys to the Steinerner Tisch (Stone Table) and further to the Bastei.

The hidden, quiet highlight of the hike, however, is the approach through the typical, U-shaped valleys. We hike through sandstone gorges with almost vertical rock faces. Cool moisture envelops us, a paradise for mosses, ferns, and lichens. The shades of green and the variety of shapes are overwhelming. 452 species of mosses and 367 species of lichen thrive in Saxon Switzerland. A unique wealth with a focus on detail.

Almost 200 meters vertically above the Elbe River lies what is probably the most famous bridge in Germany – the Bastei Bridge. The most famous landmark in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains is a magnet for visitors. This stone bridge was built in 1851; previously, the jagged rocky reef was accessible via a wooden bridge.
The return route takes you along the Malerweg/Schwarzbergweg to Wehlen.

The tour is suitable for children and, to a limited extent, dogs. Caution: On summer days, it can be very crowded, especially on the Bastei Bridge, so dog owners should be especially aware of this! Dogs must be kept on a leash throughout the entire tour.

by Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz

Last updated: June 13, 2024

This route includes a ferry crossing

Tips

Includes ferry crossings

Check ferry timetable.

After 474 m for 79 m

After 9.73 km for 79 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

781 m

Wehlen castle ruins

Highlight • Castle

While staying at the Wehlen castle ruins you can have a wonderful view of the city of Wehlen and the Elbe. Very suitable for a picnic. Benches are available.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.44 km

Zscherregrund Gorge (Wettin Trail)

Highlight • Gorge

Easy to walk path that gives romantic impressions despite wheelchair and bicycle suitability.

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Tip by

2.96 km

Höllengrund Gorge

Highlight (Segment) • Gorge

Lonely, romantic gorges off the main tourist track - on a discovery tour through the nearby grounds you can enjoy peace and solitude and observe nature. The high sandstone cliffs are covered with moss, water runs down everywhere and ensures a pleasantly cool climate.

The further north you go, the lonelier it gets here. The nearby Kehlloch and the Schleifgrund are also recommended.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.42 km

Bastei Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

The Bastei is probably the most famous highlight of Saxon Switzerland. In the high season from April to October, the bastion is frequently visited by tourists. But in the winter months you actually have the opportunity, and not infrequently, to escape the crowds of tourists and to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Elbe in peace and quiet.

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5.61 km

View of the Bastei Bridge from Ferdinandstein

Highlight • Viewpoint

Very nice view of the Bastei hustle and bustle and the Wehlgrund. The short climb up the stairs is also entertaining. The view from the Bastei Bridge itself is fantastic. But the Bastei Bridge itself is very clearly visible from here.

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7.05 km

Steep ascent to Der Steinerne Tisch

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This is not a bike route, please dismount or use an alternative route, e.g. the Raingrund!
Many Thanks.

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8.58 km

Schwarzberg (Elbe view)

Highlight • Other

8.77 km

Steep stone steps on Schanzenweg

Highlight • Trail

Part of the Malerweg in connection with Stadt Wehlen and the stone table / bastion. Steep climb partly extended with stairs. Very good for hikers; not suitable for strollers or similar. Halfway up there is a beautiful viewpoint over the Elbe between Rathen and Wehlen.

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Tip by

10.3 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.86 km

2.81 km

2.33 km

713 m

317 m

189 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

4.68 km

3.22 km

1.52 km

633 m

140 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (300 m)

Lowest point (110 m)

Weather

Thursday 16 July

29°C

18°C

88 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 13.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

June 15, 2025,🇩🇪 Tag 02: BRD - Sächsische Schweiz: Wehlen und Basteibrücke

Today's itinerary included a hike to the Bastei Bridge in Saxon Switzerland. We drove to Wehlen and explored this lovely town for a bit. Afterwards, we walked along the Wettingweg and Schluchtenweg trails to the "Stone Table" – a historic resting place. It was carved from sandstone blocks in 1710 for an electoral hunt (for Elector Frederick Augustus I of …

Showing Translation

June 5, 2022,Wehlen - Bastei - Zscherregrund

3 Westphalians on the heights and through the gorges of Saxon Switzerland...⛰🌳🥾

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June 15, 2025,Fahrradtour

I mistakenly listed it as a bike tour. For us, it was a hiking tour. This beautiful, challenging tour is hardly suitable as a bike tour.

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June 15, 2025,🇩🇪 Bastei und Basteibrücke 15.6.2025 w877

Today we wanted to see Germany's most famous bridge. Sunday, with its beautiful weather, was naturally a challenge, as there were so many hikers out and about. But since the forecast for tomorrow was cloudy and perhaps even rainy, we had to make the most of today. We drove to Wehle, where we planned to park our car. We were …

Showing Translation

May 30, 2025,Von Wehlen zur Bastei

Parking in Wehlen at the ferry = €2 per hour. The ascent is comfortable, wide paths, only a slight incline. The descent through the forest is challenging, especially when wet!...if necessary, take the outward route back...

Showing Translation

May 7, 2026,Runde von Stadt Wehlen - Wehlender Grund - Höllengrund - Steinerner Tisch - Bastei - Schwarzberggrund und zurück ☔

Who actually says you need blue skies for Saxon Switzerland? Today, instead of postcard idyll, there was a full dose of rain ☔.

Showing Translation

September 18, 2025,Von Wehlen zur berühmtesten Brücke Deutschlands - die Bastei

Today I hiked to the "most famous bridge in Germany." I took the train from Pirna, then the ferry to the right riverbank. After passing through Wehlen and entering the forest, I got lost. Remember: not every line on the map is a path, and even if it is, it's not always recognizable as such! So, first I crossed Wallachia …

Showing Translation

June 2, 2025,Wehlen zur Bastei und zurück

A very beautiful trail through the unspoiled landscape of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. A quiet trail suitable for all levels of fitness.

Showing Translation

July 21, 2020

The tour starts at the train station in Wehlen. You take the ferry across to the other side of the Elbe and climb up to Wehlen Castle. Then you follow the red dot marker through the Wehlener Grund, Zscherregrund, and Höllengrund valleys to the Steinerner Tisch (Stone Table) and further to the Bastei

Translated by Google •

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From Wehlen to the most famous bridge in Germany - the Bastei

Wehlen castle ruins

Zscherregrund Gorge (Wettin Trail)

Höllengrund Gorge

Bastei Bridge

View of the Bastei Bridge from Ferdinandstein

Steep ascent to Der Steinerne Tisch

Schwarzberg (Elbe view)

Steep stone steps on Schanzenweg

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