Schmilka village center – Carolafelsen loop from Schmilka-Hirschmühle

Hiking trails & Routes

Germany

Saxony

Saxon Switzerland

Reinhardtsdorf-Schöna

Schmilka village center – Carolafelsen loop from Schmilka-Hirschmühle

Hard

4.8

(663)

2,206

hikers

Schmilka village center – Carolafelsen loop from Schmilka-Hirschmühle

03:13

9.70km

420m

Hiking

Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The route includes a crossing by ferry. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 14, 2026

This route includes a ferry crossing

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 3.39 km for 264 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

461 m

Schmilka Mill Bakery and Organic Brewery

Highlight • Restaurant

There is not only super-delicious bread, but also home-brewed beer. Had today vegetable pie, slightly warmed with a dip - a dream!

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473 m

Schmilka village center

Highlight • Settlement

The very lovingly restored village center with mill bakery, brewery and inns invites you to linger. A great end to any hike in the area. Bread, beer and cakes are a must-try!

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2.66 km

Heilige Stiege (Middle Section)

Highlight • Trail

To put it briefly: strenuous
But you should do it, because it's worth it.

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2.71 km

Heilige Stiege

Highlight • Trail

very nice easy exit with an endless staircase and a fantastic view of the Schmilkauer Kessel at the end.

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2.78 km

View of Heringsgrund

Highlight • Viewpoint

When the weather is nice, you have a great view over the whole of Saxon Switzerland and it is not quite as crowded as the other hotspots.

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3.50 km

Carolafelsen

Highlight • Viewpoint

A great vantage point, easy to reach and great views.

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4.80 km

Frienstein

Highlight • Cave

Spectacular rock landscape with climbing passages.

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4.85 km

View from Frienstein and Ida Cave

Highlight • Viewpoint

Unfortunately somewhat hidden between the trees, here you can enjoy a view from the Frienstein to the west

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9.70 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.09 km

3.76 km

773 m

702 m

272 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

4.30 km

1.82 km

1.56 km

1.15 km

663 m

218 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (460 m)

Lowest point (120 m)

Weather

Saturday 12 September

17°C

11°C

-- %

Additional weather tips

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Comments

February 18, 2023,Bergfest wanderung

Today we went back to saxon switzerland with not so great weather, despite the rain we did our tour and were rewarded with truly magical moments

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October 13, 2023,🍁Kleines Prebischtor - Carolafelsen - Idagrotte 🍁

The Edmundsklamm and the Prebischtor have been on the list of planned tours for more than 2 years. Today it still didn't work - the gorge and a path to the Prebischtor were closed.
We quickly changed our plans and decided on the “small” Prebischtor.
Our tour started in Schmilka, not far from the big original. Right at the beginning …

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February 6, 2022,Schmilka - Heringsgrund - Heilige Stiege - Carolafelsen - Reitsteig - Wurzelweg - Schmilka 🥾

Schmilka - Heringsgrund - Holy Stiege - Carolafelsen - Reitsteig - Root Path - Schmilka 🥾

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October 31, 2021,Rotkehlchen-Stiege & Carolafelsen –Runde von Schmilka

Due to the closure of some paths, we suddenly landed in the robin staircase and moved to a very lofty height. It was just great.
The original round should then go over the Winterberg. However, since a big fire had to be put out yesterday because some "nature lovers" couldn't extinguish their campfire properly, we ended the tour via the …

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October 23, 2022,Heilige Stiege | Graubunter Sonntag | 41x20 Stufen am Mittag | Familientour ☁️

41 Summit Skittles

🎷🐛 8.98 new kilometers
-- From Wanderer.earth

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February 2, 2023,Raus an die Luft- Schmilkarunde

I had hoped it wouldn't be that wet...but my feet were wet after all.
Lonely round - only on the Holy Stairs did a family come towards me.

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March 27, 2024,🇩🇪 DE - Schmilka - Carolafelsen - Frienstein - kl. Winterberg

The tour took us from Schmilka via the Holy Staircase to the Carola Rock. Then continue to Frienstein with the somewhat adventurous meters around the corner to the Idagrotte. The way back then via the upper Affenstein promenade to the small Winterberg (partly over hill and dale) and then along the root path back to Schmilka.
Optionally, we would also …

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May 7, 2025,Wanderung🥾🥾 Sächsische Schweiz, Carolafelsen und tausende Stufen😅

Today, you really needed stamina... So many stairs! Because they were so varied, there were always surprises! And then, of course, the incredible rock faces; it's so impressive. When you reach a rocky plateau, the view overwhelms you! How small a person is in this extraordinary natural setting!

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