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From Stadt Wehlen via the Bastei Bridge to Kurort Rathen

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

From Stadt Wehlen via the Bastei Bridge to Kurort Rathen

Moderate

4.8

(305)

1,136

hikers

From Stadt Wehlen via the Bastei Bridge to Kurort Rathen

01:56

6.32km

210m

Hiking

This tour connects two idyllic towns with the most famous landmark in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains – the Bastei Bridge. It stands almost 200 meters vertically above the Elbe River and offers numerous vantage points with views of the fascinating rocky landscape of the Rathen area.

The tour is suitable…

by Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz

Last updated: July 16, 2025

This route includes a ferry crossing

Tips

Includes ferry crossings

Check ferry timetable.

After 482 m for 79 m

After 5.90 km for 97 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

206 m

View of the town of Wehlen

Highlight • Viewpoint

Wehlen is definitely one of the most famous holiday resorts in Saxon Switzerland. Picturesque houses, small town flair and the great location as a starting point for hikes make this …

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467 m

Pötzscha Ferry Terminal

Highlight • Rest Area

The Stadt Wehlen ferry connects the Pötzscha district, where the S-Bahn stop is located, with the town center of Wehlen. The cyclists' church, the tourist information office and several cafes and restaurants are located on the market square.

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594 m

Wehlen Market Square

Highlight • Settlement

The city of Wehlen awaits you with a charming historic city center. On the beautiful market square you will find numerous cafés and restaurants that provide tired hikers with delicious food after their day's hike.

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1.05 km

Stadt Wehlen

Highlight • Settlement

Beautiful small and old town with many great buildings, a wonderful market square, a castle, and many entrances to the national park and therefore an ideal starting point for hikes, runs, walks, etc.

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1.44 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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2.88 km

Forest restaurant "Steinerner Tisch"

Highlight • Mountain Hut

The famous forest restaurant stood empty for several years, but after being taken over by three gentlemen from Dresden, it reopened in 2017. Right next to the restaurant, you'll find …

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3.87 km

View of the Wehlsteine

Highlight • Viewpoint

Very nice view of the rocks. Should you take a look. Great view from the viewing platforms.

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4.28 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. …

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4.47 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 …

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4.61 km

View of the Bastei and the Bastei Bridge

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Bastei (305 m above sea level) is a rock formation with a viewing platform in Saxon Switzerland on the right bank of the Elbe in the area of the …

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4.66 km

Felsenburg Neurathen (closed due to dilapidation)

Highlight • Castle

The Felsenburg Neurathen is an interesting starting point for all those interested in history, as signs present interesting facts about this historical place. It is impressive how long ago people …

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4.75 km

Kanapee View over the Elbe

Highlight • Viewpoint

A piece above the Basteibrücke there is this great vantage point on the Elbe and mountains. Directly at your feet you can see the famous sandstone cliffs and on the horizon rise the table mountains south of the Elbe.

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5.57 km

Amselgrund Little Castle

Highlight • Restaurant

Excursion restaurant with a nice beer garden and very good cuisine.

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5.70 km

Rathen

Highlight • Settlement

The spa town of Rathen is a tourist magnet due to its unique location on the Elbe, the rock stage and the scenic attractions all around. From here you can …

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5.80 km

Rathen River Promenade

Highlight • Viewpoint

In this region of Saxon Switzerland, a magnificent view is guaranteed.
It's worth it!

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5.85 km

Rathen Ferry

Highlight (Segment) • Structure

The ferry runs until late in the evening (at least 10 p.m.), even in the autumn and winter months. The crossing costs 1.20 euros and takes about five minutes.

You can find the current departure times here: elberadweg.de/Faehre/gierseilfaehre-kurort-rathen

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6.03 km

View of Rathen and Altrathen Castle

Highlight • Viewpoint

In contrast to the neighboring rock castle Neurathen, little is known about the history of this castle. Presumably it was built in the 11th century.

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6.32 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

2.17 km

2.04 km

1.04 km

365 m

351 m

236 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.06 km

1.87 km

907 m

243 m

182 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 4 June

19°C

12°C

95 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

January 12, 2025,Familienwandertag A: Amselsee

Today the family went on their first tour of 2025. In glorious winter weather we went from Rathen to Amselsee, Basteiaussicht, Steiner Tisch and back to Wehlen.

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October 13, 2022,13 Von Stadt Wehlen über Bastei nach Kurort Rathen

The ascent from the town of Wehlen is sometimes quite steep and rocky, but when you get to the top it goes through a lot of beautiful forest. It is of course very crowded at the bastion and the descent in Rathen is well frequented on good paths. You can take the S-Bahn back along the Elbe or hike back …

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September 10, 2023,Von Kurort Rathen nach Stadt Wehlen

Start at the train station in Rathen. With the ferry across to the other side of the Elbe. A detour to the trout smokehouse is worthwhile before climbing to the bastion. Somewhat steep, the path offers some great panoramic views. Once at the top, cross the Bastei Bridge to the new viewing platform. Fabulous views towards Raten, Lilienstein and Königstein …

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October 21, 2023,Wanderung Wehlen Bastei Rathen

Arrival on Saturday afternoon by train to Wehlen. Hike over the Bastei to Rathen, where we stayed in a holiday apartment for 4 days.

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August 19, 2025,Im Osten Tag 2.1

This morning actually started off great. I woke up at 5:20 a.m., had already got my things ready, and it was only a five-minute walk from the Residenz to the train station. At 6 a.m., I was sitting on a deserted train heading for the spa town of Rathen. Half an hour later, I took the ferry over and went …

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March 3, 2025,Feierabendtour-zum Sonnenuntergang auf die Bastei ☀️🍀❤️

Finally nice weather☀️so after work I took the train and headed to Saxon Switzerland...of course it was totally worth it again 🍀🥰great sunset and good visibility...picked up a hiking companion on the way to Wehlen...a red cat🐈who accompanied me from the forest to the ferry❤️

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September 30, 2022,Wanderung von Wehlen über die Bastei nach Rathen

Today I was drawn to the Bastei. I completed the ascent from Wehlen to the Steinernen Tisch almost alone. After that the people multiplied. You had to queue around the bastion for views. The hike was nice nonetheless. The hike is rarely possible without people. Maybe in the rain or very late or very early.

patriclife.com/2022/10/08/von-wehlen-ueber-die-bastei-nach-rathen

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September 29, 2023,NLP Sächsische Schweiz: Von Stadt Wehlen über die Basteibrücke nach Kurort Rathen

An unexpected day off and still late-summer warm temperatures draw us outside and finally back into the nearby Elbe Sandstone Mountains. It's a short journey by S-Bahn to Wehlen, where our tour starts and we take the ferry to the other side of the Elbe. In Wehlen we walk a little upstream of the Elbe, follow the Malerweg, climb the …

Showing Translation

March 7, 2022

This tour connects two idyllic towns with the most famous landmark in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains – the Bastei Bridge. It stands almost 200 meters vertically above the Elbe River and offers numerous vantage points with views of the fascinating rocky landscape of the Rathen area.
﻿
The tour is suitable

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October 4, 2022

We do the tour every year on the day of arrival. It's a tradition with us.

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From Stadt Wehlen via the Bastei Bridge to Kurort Rathen

View of the town of Wehlen

Pötzscha Ferry Terminal

Wehlen Market Square

Stadt Wehlen

Steep ascent to Der Steinerne Tisch

Forest restaurant "Steinerner Tisch"

View of the Wehlsteine

View of the Bastei Bridge from Ferdinandstein

Bastei Bridge

View of the Bastei and the Bastei Bridge

Felsenburg Neurathen (closed due to dilapidation)

Kanapee View over the Elbe

Amselgrund Little Castle

Rathen

Rathen River Promenade

Rathen Ferry

View of Rathen and Altrathen Castle

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