View of the Elbe Valley – Schwedenlöcher loop from Kurort Rathen

Hiking trails & Routes

View of the Elbe Valley – Schwedenlöcher loop from Kurort Rathen

Moderate

4.7

(258)

1,074

hikers

View of the Elbe Valley – Schwedenlöcher loop from Kurort Rathen

02:48

8.97km

320m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. 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

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions. Check ahead to confirm restricted segments are open to the public.

After 231 m for 97 m

After 8.65 km for 97 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

456 m

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 reach, among other things, the Bastei, the Amselsee, the Schwedenlöcher, Gamrig, the Uttewalder Grund, the Schleifgrund. Or over the Hockstein down the brutal Wolfsschlucht into the beautiful Polenztal and up to the Brandbaude. There is something for everyone.

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1.50 km

View of the Elbe Valley

Highlight • Viewpoint

Great viewing point on the Bastei. Usually very crowded. If you want to walk and see in peace, you should get there early. There are usually only a few runners.

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1.54 km

Bastei Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

The Bastei Bridge is a classic among hiking destinations in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, with a magnificent view over the Elbe and the Lilienstein. A visit is most worthwhile in the early morning to enjoy the sunrise, and the tourist crowds are also very limited.

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1.73 km

Bastei Viewpoint

Highlight • Viewpoint

One of the most popular views of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, which means the whole area is quite "crowded" in the high season and when the weather is good.

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5.65 km

Green Gorge

Highlight • Gorge

de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwedenl%C3%B6cher

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5.66 km

Schwedenlöcher

Highlight (Segment) • Gorge

The Schwedenlöcher are a particularly exciting section and my personal highlight in Saxon Switzerland. This section got its name during the Thirty Years' War, when farmers from the village of Rathenwalde fled there to escape the Swedish soldiers and occupiers of the village. In my opinion, this is the most beautiful gorge path in Saxon Switzerland that I know of. This particularly wild path has something almost fairytale-like about it and at times you feel like you are in the jungle.

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7.44 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 were able to use the terrain for a purpose. There is a trust box at the entrance, so it is also possible to visit the site outside of the admission times.

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7.52 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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8.97 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.69 km

1.38 km

628 m

158 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.82 km

2.95 km

891 m

761 m

332 m

199 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (310 m)

Lowest point (110 m)

Weather

Monday 12 October

14°C

3°C

11 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 14.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

March 18, 2023,Runde von Rathen - Rathewalder Mühle - Bastei und zurück

A spontaneous trip to Dresden today and then decision for this tour. Luckily not overcrowded today and later even with sun. A relaxed tour with a stop for coffee and cake. A recommended deceleration...

By the way, the way through the Schwedenlöcher has been closed since 11/22.

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May 22, 2023,Bastei von Rathenwalde aus

The route from Rathenwalde to Rathen alone is worth a trip.

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July 15, 2022,056. Bastei

Like a hike 🤗 through my beloved Saxon Switzerland to "come down" after every hard work week. Today's destination, the tourist magnet Bastei, as an extended version. We set off from the picturesque village of Rathewalde, not via the classic Amselfall trail through the Amselgrund, but along the Basteiweg/Rathewalder footpath. The path is very pleasant to walk on and leads …

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December 27, 2023,143. Bastei - Amselfall - Rathewalder Mühle - Bastei

My wife and I treated ourselves to a 3-day short vacation at the Bastei at the end of the year. In addition to feasting and wellness, exercise should not be neglected. So our hike on the first day took us from the Bastei to the Große Gans to the viewing point at the Hellhound Towers 🫶📸. From there we went …

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October 15, 2021,Elbsandsteingebirge Wanderung 15.10.2021 18:04

Entertaining and very clear short hike, without the hustle and bustle - almost just going for a walk, with very nice autumn weather. The tour can be extended and modified as required due to the very good directions. The Schwedenlöcher could not be hiked because of road construction work. The rest of the tour - the descent to the Elbe …

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