Real hikers cannot be deterred by the rather winter temperatures. And so some of them could be found in Saxon Switzerland in the last few days. However, the situation here is becoming more and more confusing. New paths in the national park have to be closed almost every day. A listing for alternative routes is being worked on. It should be a while before it is finished.
Bad Schandau cartographer Rolf Böhm, an outspoken expert and connoisseur of the Saxon Switzerland hiking area, can only shake his head. “Here a centuries-old hiking landscape goes into the rushes,” he says. It is also difficult for him to find hiking trails that are still passable. But with his own sense of humor, he has opened up some original routes near the national park. In his opinion, everyone should do something to ensure that hiking continues to be a natural way of being outside. “We’re not going to be scared out for Struppen, Stolpen or Kyritz an der Knatter that quickly,” says Rolf Böhm jokingly. The expert has selected four hiking routes for Saechsische.de. But there is no guarantee. Anyone who hiked these in the next few days should still pay attention to the current signs and possible closures.
Cartographer Rolf Böhm (right) with national park ranger Frank Strohbach. © Studio Clarity
Zschand: hiking in the bark beetle forest
From Felsenmühle to Kleine Zschand. The green line over the Queenenwiesen and through the Heringsloch – Bärenhorn on the left, Heringsstein on the right – represents one of the most beautiful and yet relatively seldom made ascent to the Großer Winterberg. Down the Zschand, after about 500 m km left Zeughausstraße, leave the rear robbery castle (currently not accessible) on the left. A little before the start of the valley slope, turn right into the Knorreweg. Stop here and look at the huge 360-degree panorama that opens up thanks to the bark beetle and where everything was completely overgrown a few years ago. Shortly before the Spitzsteinschlüchten, the Konradfels is recommended as a small children’s climbing summit. Via the Spitzsteinschluchten back to the Kirnitzschtal.
- Starting point: Felsenmühle, Neumannmühle or Buschmühle, each with a bus stop and parking lot, preferably Neumannmühle (with parking fee).
- Special feature: in spring, the most unknown watercourse in Saxon Switzerland sometimes carries water, that is the Queene, the stream in the Heringsloch that rises on the Winterberg.
- Abbreviation: From the Queenenwiesen straight to the Knorre.
- Böhm hiking map: Kleiner Zschand 1: 10,000, 2.80 euros.
- Length: 11.5 km
- Duration: 4.5 hours
Hiking map of Kleiner Zschand. © Cartographer Rolf Böhm
Lohsdorf: Black hiking in the Schwarzbachtal
From Lohsdorf junction street Schwarzbachtal (parking lot here, as well as the entrance to Lohsdorf) into the Schwarzbachtal, where you can follow the railway line to Kohlmühle very well. Through the upper or Maulberg tunnel or around the mountain further down the valley. Do not go to the lower tunnel, the robbery castle tunnel, but keep left shortly before. Over a beautiful stone footbridge up to the Schwarzberg, resting place at the castle ruins. Then the Schwarzweg westwards over the ridge towards Goßdorf, east around Goßdorf we meet the Lohsdorfer Hufeisenweg, this on the old Goßdorfer Straße to Lohsdorf. Through Lohsdorf, the yellow line north to the water tank and the railway line. Along the street next to the railroad track back to the parking lot.
- Starting point: Lohsdorf or Schwarzbachtal junction.
- Special feature: narrow-gauge railway line. Track construction, newly built railway bridge and new level crossing at the water reservoir.
- Abbreviation: Before the Maulberg tunnel, take the mail carrier path uphill.
- Böhm hiking map: Brand-Hohnstein 1: 10000, just published in 4th edition, 6.80 euros.
- Length: 9.5 km
- Duration: 4 hours
Brand-Hohnstein hiking map. © Map Rolf Böhm
Prossengründel: The unknown heart of Saxon Switzerland
Rolf Böhm recently hiked this route. From the “Zum alten Hansjörg” inn, follow the blue line, past the Waldfriedhof memorial, then turn left towards Sellnitzgrund. In the middle of Sellnitzgrund, keep sharp to the right, slightly uphill, cross-altitude path with an old look. This is the Lottersteig, one of the oldest paths in the Elbe sandstone. You can also use this straight ahead from “Hansjörg”, beautiful old forest boundary stones, but the descent in Sellnitzgrund then a bit overgrown. Descent to Prossen, beautiful view of the castle. Then the romantic Prossener Gründel north and up. Shortly before the ascent to Waltersdorf over the dilapidated bridge, right Ehrlichtweg towards Porschdorf. Turning sharply to the left, now along the main road, which is actually the red dot hiking trail here. Quasi a small endurance test, 1 km main road. In Waltersdorf then take the Dorfstrasse back to the “Alten Hansjörg”.
- Starting point: parking spaces on Liliensteinstrasse.
- Special feature: A real insider tip is the Leopold’s nose view, see map, as it is somewhat impassable and cannot be reached on hiking trails.
- Abbreviations: Instead of Erlichtweg straight up to Waltersdorf.
- Böhm hiking map: Large map of Saxon Switzerland 1: 30000, 6.80 to 9.80 euros.
- Length: 9.5 km
- Duration: 3.5 hours
Large map of Saxon Switzerland. © Cartographer Rolf Böhm
Rathen and Polenztal with a difference
The national park administration maintains a free car park on Ziegenückenstrasse, as the rangers want to go hiking after work. By going from this the green line to Kurort Rathen, we reach the often overcrowded place in an unconventional way. Then not Bastei, but twice to the right and the Füllhölzelweg, red line towards Polenztal. Cross the road, descend, then northwards through Polenztal to Pension Polenztal. Ascent via Hockstein. Back to the parking lot.
- Starting point: parking lot in Knotenweg or Hockstein (with parking fee).
- Special feature: The south ascent to the Hockstein is the Wolfsschlucht.
- Abbreviation: Junction path at signpost 1040 to Füllhölzelweg, then without Rathen.
- Böhm hiking map: Die Bastei 1: 10,000, 6.80 euros.
- Length: 10.5 km
- Duration: 4.5 hours
Bastei hiking map. © Cartographer Rolf Böhm
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