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Canyons

Saxon Switzerland-East Ore Mountains

Saxon Switzerland

Bad Schandau

Ladder Pathway Through Rocky Gorge, Saxon Switzerland

Canyons

Saxon Switzerland-East Ore Mountains

Saxon Switzerland

Bad Schandau

Ladder Pathway Through Rocky Gorge, Saxon Switzerland

Recommended by 149 hikers out of 156

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz

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Location: Bad Schandau, Saxon Switzerland, Saxon Switzerland-East Ore Mountains, Saxony, Germany

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Best Hikes to Ladder Pathway Through Rocky Gorge, Saxon Switzerland

4.8

(1325)

4,352

hikers

1. Schrammsteine Ridge Trail – View of Falkenstein loop from Ostrau

7.43km

02:20

260m

Expert hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

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4.8

(685)

2,326

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2. View of the Schrammsteine – Schrammsteine Ridge Trail loop from Ostrau

7.53km

02:12

180m

Expert hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

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4.8

(373)

1,392

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3. Schrammsteine Ridge Trail – View of the Schrammsteine loop from Postelwitz

8.43km

02:48

370m

Expert hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

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Tips

Joe Outside

September 30, 2025

The Wildschützensteig is an impressive climb that leads you through narrow rock crevices and up steep iron ladders in a narrow rocky gorge to the famous Schrammstein viewpoint overlooking the Schrammstein massif in Saxon Switzerland. We really enjoyed the natural experience with the spectacular views. This historic trail was created in 1890 by mountaineers from Postelwitz. It was the first access point that made the Schrammstein viewpoint accessible to hikers. Before the Wildschützensteig existed, only climbers could enjoy the special view up here. After being closed in 1984, the Wildschützensteig didn't reopen for another 15 years. In 1999, it was reopened after extensive renovations. Today, it is one of the most beautiful hikes you can do in Saxon Switzerland. It's a real highlight for anyone who enjoys hiking through spectacular rock formations.

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Joe Outside

September 30, 2025

We were certainly very impressed with this trail.

The actual climb stretches for about 560 meters and leads you through a narrow rocky gorge flanked by high sandstone walls. At some points along the trail, there are metal stairs and ladders to make the path through the rocks accessible to hikers without climbing. Without them, the Wildschützensteig Trail would be unhikeable. While the longer, steep ladders have handrails, the shorter ones only have steps. During the ascent, you can repeatedly enjoy spectacular views of the rocky landscape. The trail requires surefootedness and a head for heights, as it is steep and exposed in places. However, it is not a via ferrata. You do not need a via ferrata set or a rope to hike this trail. It is recommended to only attempt the trail in dry weather. In wet conditions, the steps quickly become slippery.

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Joe Outside

September 30, 2025

The Wildschützensteig trail can be easily combined with other hiking trails, such as the ridge path to the Schrammsteine or the Jägersteig trail for the descent. A popular circular hike leads from the Zahnsgrund via the Wildschützensteig trail to the Schrammstein viewpoint and then via the ridge path and Jägersteig trail back to the starting point. The Wildschützensteig trail may only be used while ascending. Descending via this trail is prohibited – partly because the steep ladders could lead to accidents on the way down. On the other hand, the Wildschützensteig trail is almost entirely narrow enough for one hiker to climb. Oncoming traffic brings everything to a standstill. And since there are so many hikers on this trail, that quickly happens. For the descent, you can use the Jägersteig trail. It leads down a few meters from the ridge path. See: schrammsteine-bad-schandau.de/wildschuetzensteig

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Elevation 350 m

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Thursday 9 October

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Max wind speed: 12.0 km/h

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Location: Bad Schandau, Saxon Switzerland, Saxon Switzerland-East Ore Mountains, Saxony, Germany

Ladder Pathway Through Rocky Gorge, Saxon Switzerland

1. Schrammsteine Ridge Trail – View of Falkenstein loop from Ostrau

2. View of the Schrammsteine – Schrammsteine Ridge Trail loop from Ostrau

3. Schrammsteine Ridge Trail – View of the Schrammsteine loop from Postelwitz

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