Hiking To Idagrotte (+ Kuhstall) In Saxon Switzerland, Germany

If you are planning to visit the Saxon Switzerland National Park, you must hike through Kuhstall to visit the iconic Idagrotte!

If you’re up for some breathtaking views and a dose of outdoor fun, then hiking to Idagrotte in Saxon Switzerland, Germany, should be right up your alley. Nestled within the picturesque Saxon Switzerland National Park, Idagrotte, also known as Ida Cave, promises an unforgettable trek through stunning landscapes and rugged terrain.

Saxon Switzerland boasts dramatic sandstone formations, lush forests, and meandering rivers, creating a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The hike to Idagrotte offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and adventure, making it a must-do for anyone exploring the region.

In this post, I’ll be covering everything you need to know about hiking to Idagrotte, including stops at some other popular spots such as Kuhstall along the trail! I’ll cover important details for your visit as well as how to reach the starting point of the hike (car and public transportation). Plus, I’ll dish out tips on the best time to visit, what essentials to pack, hike statistics to keep you informed, and exact directions to navigate the trails like a pro. And hey, I’ll even throw in some recommendations for nearby accommodations so you can rest after a day of exploration.

Idagrotte is one of the coolest spots in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, so I hope that this post convinces you to visit for yourself!

If you are interested in other hikes in Saxon Switzerland National Park, then check out my hiking guide to Bastei Bridge below. 

Read More: How To Hike Up Bastei Bridge

FAQs about Idagrotte

Where is the Idagrotte located?

Idagrotte, also known as Ida Cave, is situated within the beautiful Saxon Switzerland National Park in Germany. Specifically, it can be found in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in the eastern part of the country, near the border with the Czech Republic. The national park is renowned for its striking sandstone formations and diverse natural beauty, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

How high is the Idagrotte? 

The Idagrotte sits at an elevation of approximately 220 meters (722 feet) above sea level. While not towering in terms of altitude, its location amidst the scenic landscapes of Saxon Switzerland provides stunning panoramic views and a memorable hiking experience. As you ascend to the cave, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the surrounding valleys, rock formations, and dense forests, making the journey well worth the effort.

This post is all about hiking to Idagrotte (+ Kuhstall) in Saxon Switzerland, Germany

Visiting Idagrotte – Important Information

Location: Saxon Switzerland National Park, Germany.

Elevation: 455 meters.

Allowed: Dogs (on a leash), cycling (on designated routes), horse riding (on designated routes), climbing, camping in the open air (Only if climbing. It is forbidden between February 1st until June 15th to give the animals a period of rest in their breeding season.), campfires (on designated routes), mushroom picking (only small amounts for personal use).

Not Allowed: Camping vans, picking plants, hunting, walking off trail, water sports, swimming, air sports, drones, smoking, disposing of waste, feeding animals, loud noise. 

How to get to Idagrotte and Kuhstall

Arriving by Car:

Getting to the start of the hike is very easy with a car. You want to park at “Parkplatz Lichtenhainer Wasserfall“. The car park is fairly large, however, considering that it’s the starting point of many hikes in the region, it fills up quickly. Overall, I would say that as long as you arrive before 11 AM you should be fine. If you are staying in Bad Schandau as your base, then the parking lot is just a quick 13-minute drive from the town. 

Make sure to bring cash (specifically small coins) with you for the parking machine. While the rate changes depending on how long you stay, I would recommend getting a day ticket. A day ticket here is weirdly enough for 22 hours, but that’s plenty to cover your hiking time 🤪. It will cost you 7 euros to park here for the day, but the convenience is well worth it. 

Arriving by public transportation:

If you are visiting and using public transportation, then I would highly recommend staying in Bad Schandau. Not only is it convenient to get to from Dresden, but it will make getting to the starting point of the hike to Idagrotte easier. From Bad Schandau you have two ways to get to Lichtenhainer Wasserfall, which is the starting point. 

The first and easiest option is to take bus number 241 towards Hinterhermsdorf Erbgericht. You will need to get on the bus at “Bad Schandau Elbkai” and after 17 minutes get off at the stop called “Lichtenhainer Wasserfall”. The bus appears to be scheduled for every two hours during shoulder season, although it should be running more frequently during the summer. Make sure to schedule your hike according to the bus timetable. 

The second, and more traditional way to get to the starting point is by taking the steam railway route. The Kirnitzschalbahn operated between Bad Schandau and the Lichtenhainer Wasserfall and runs every 30 minutes during the summer season. This option will take a little longer; around 25 minutes to reach the starting point. However, it makes for a scenic adventure before the hike begins. It is a little more expensive though, with fares running at 7 euros per direction. Therefore, I would recommend taking the railway train there and a bus back (or the other way around) to keep the costs down. 

When to visit Idagrotte and Kuhstall

The best time to visit Idagrotte and Kuhstall is during the warm summer months. The trail has a lot of stairs and these spots can only be accessed by hiking to them. Therefore, I recommend that you plan to visit when the weather is good. 

Time of Year:

I would personally recommend visiting in Spring or Summer. In spring there will be lots of flowers blooming, and the fresh newly green trees are just beautiful. However, I would say the absolute best time to visit is anywhere between June – mid-November.

From early June, you can be sure that the surrounding nature is green and thriving. So the beautiful Ida Cave will offer beautiful views over the Saxon Switzerland National Park. Additionally, hiking up to Idagrotte in the fall is an amazing option. The leaves in Germany typically start to turn orange and red in the second half of October. Therefore visiting between late October to mid November will offer scenes of colorful leaves. Since both Kuhstall and Idagrotte offer panoramic views over the national park, you want to ensure that the view will be lush and worth the hike!

Time of day:

While Idagrotte is not exactly a secret spot, it’s also not that well known. Therefore, I wouldn’t worry about the time of day to visit. However, Kuhstall is a pretty popular place in Saxon Switzerland, so it’s a good idea to get there early in the day. The trail below stops at Kuhstall first, so as long as you start the hike in the morning hours you should be fine. We visited the highlights at midday and didn’t find it overcrowded.

So many hikes nowadays require us to wake up and start extremely early if we want to hike in peace. Luckily, when it comes to Kuhstall and Idagrotte, you don’t need to worry too much about that!

What to wear on the hike to Idagrotte and Kuhstall

Clothing Essentials:

Hiking pants: Ideally bring hiking pants that can be made into long shorts, in case it gets warm. 

Short-sleeved Dri-fit shirt: The weather is always subject to change so make sure to bring some layers. I always recommend a dri-fit shirt for maximum comfort during your hike. 

Rain Jacket: Even if the weather report says it will be sunny, make sure to bring a rain jacket just in case! If you have rain pants, then it could be a great idea to bring them as well. You can’t always trust the weather reports, and it is best to be on the safe side when hiking in nature. 

Hiking shoes: Proper hiking shoes are a must when hiking in the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The hike to Idagrotte includes some scrambling so it’s important to wear shoes with good grip. My mom attempted this hike in sports shoes and regretted this – you have been warned 😅. 

General Essentials:

Hiking poles: While these are not a must, they are highly recommended. If you do not have a high fitness level, I urge you to bring hiking poles to help you on the trail. Otherwise, these could be a great idea for all hikers. Not only can they give you a little support on the ascent, but they come in extra handy during the descent for stabilization and to reduce the stress put on your knees. Again, make sure to learn from my mom’s mistakes 🤪.

Water: Make sure to bring enough water! This hike is fairly steep and the only way to refill your bottles is by buying water in the cafe at Kuhstall (which is early in the hike). Aim to bring at least 3-4 liters of water per person. 

Food: While there is a cafe by Kuhstall, it will also be the first stop of the hike so I doubt you will already want to sit down and eat. Make sure to bring enough food and snacks with you, the trail is not easy so you want to stay fuelled. 

Towel: A dri-fit towel is an essential that I always carry with me, even when no swimming is involved in a hike. It can always come in handy if you want to sit down on wet or muddy grass. 

Rain cover for your bag: I highly recommend bringing a rain cover for your bag to protect your valuables in case it starts to rain. Bringing a rain cover for my bag has saved my camera from being ruined several times! 

Hiking Details (Idagrotte and Kuhstall)

Before going into the detailed hiking directions to reach the incredible Idagrotte, I have listed some general statistics regarding the hike. In addition, you can find an interactive map with different interest points and the marked trail for your use on the hike. Please note that this map does not work offline, so you can only access it while you have service. 

Distance: ~ 10 or 15 km in total depending on if you hike back through Wilde Hölle.

Difficulty: Medium. 

Time needed: 4 – 6 hours depending on your speed and how long you choose to stay at each stop.

Elevation gain: ~ 368 meters. 

Type of trail: Loop trail.

Hiking Directions to Idagrotte

(step-by-step guide)

Lichtenhainer Wasserfall to Kuhstall

To start the hike, you will need to locate the sign towards Kuhstall at the parking lot. This section will take around 40 minutes depending on your speed. the total distance to Kuhstall is around 1.6 kilometers with a 163-meter elevation. The trail is not very difficult as it is mostly a large forest path, although it will be a little steep. 

Once you reach Kuhstall, you will want to take a break to explore the area. First of all, there is a cafe here in case you are missing some food or water for the hike. Then, make sure to spend some time admiring the arch of Kuhstall, which translates to “cow shed”. You will find a balcony with stunning panoramic views over Saxon Switzerland National Park. Make sure to turn left and find the “Himmelsleiter” which is nicknamed the stairway to heaven. This extremely narrow staircase is a very cool spot, and I highly recommend climbing up to the top. If you do, you will be rewarded with stunning views at Burg Wildenstein. It was amazing standing on top of those sandstone peaks and looking over the park. 

Kuhstall to Kleiner Winterberg

Once you are done checking out the various spots and lookout points at Kuhstall, you will continue the trail to Kleiner Winterberg. This part of the trail will take you anywhere between 45 minutes to an hour, depending on your speed. The section is just over 2 kilometers long and includes an elevation of around 200 meters. 

From Kuhstall, you will descend a very long staircase, which you will be glad to be going down and not climbing up 😅. After your descent, you will reach a pretty flat forest trail which you will walk through for around 20 minutes. This is a very scenic part of the trail as you will be able to spot various sandstone peaks all around you. Then, you will begin the ascend to Kleiner Winterberg. While it’s not a super tough trail, you will definitely be feeling it in your legs as you climb what feels like an endless amount of stairs! Make sure to take your time, and take a break if you need to. Once you reach the top, it will be a pretty flat trail getting to Ida Cave. At the top remember to take in the views of the surrounding nature. 

Kleiner Winterberg to Idagrotte

The next part of the trail will take you to the main attraction – Idagrotte. This section of the trail will take around 40 minutes and it is around 1.7 kilometers long. This section has a mix of elevation gain and loss, but overall you will be walking along the large sandstone rocks. That means that you will have a fantastic view over Saxon Switzerland National Park along the way. 

From Kleiner Winterberg, you want to follow the signs going to Frienstein. This is because the Idagrotte is not an official place in the Saxon Switzerland National Park. Even if you search for Idagrotte on Google Maps, you will be referred to Frienstein. Don’t fret, once you reach Frienstein, it’s really easy to find Idagrotte. You should also be able to spot the cave from the trail on your way to Frienstein.

When you reach Frienstein, you may notice that someone has painted Idagrotte with an arrow on one of the rocks. You want to continue to the back, and then climb up to circle the large sandstone rock. Once you scramble up, you will notice a small path going around the rock. Once you follow that, you will be able to locate the beautiful Idagrotte. You will also probably not be the only one heading to the cave, so you can always follow others if you feel lost. 

Once you reach Idagrotte you should enter the cave to see the famous photo from inside the cave. This place is seriously awesome and was one of the highlights of our trip to Saxon Switzerland National Park!

Back to the parking lot:

Below is an additional route you can add to your hike if you have the time. However, if you prefer to head straight back to the parking lot then you can find a trail going down from Frienstein. At the intersection, you will take the trail going right, toward Beuthenfall and Lichtenhainer Wasserfall. It will take you around one hour to get back and the trail is 3.2 kilometers long. The trail will continue straight until you reach the main road again, and then just follow it for 5 minutes to get back to the parking lot. 

Optional add-on: Carolafelsen and Wilde Hölle

This part is an optional add-on if you have the time and energy. We, unfortunately, ran out of time after visiting Idagrotte, so we continued down towards Buethenfall and Lichtenhainer Wasserfall. However, if you are up for the challenge, then I recommend continuing to Carolafelsen and Wilde Hölle before heading back down. The main reason to do this is because Wilde Hölle, which means “Wild Hell” is a super cool trail going through interesting rock formations. It is known to be a tough climb, but since you will be descending it, you will be able to enjoy the surroundings more. 

To continue to Carolafelsen, you will need to hike for around 40 minutes. Expect an elevation gain of around 200 meters. While you are welcome to take a break here to enjoy the views, you can also continue for just a few minutes more to reach the start of Wilde Hölle. Take your time as you hike down this trail to enjoy the fun surroundings and fascinating rock formations. This trail is often compared with a playground because there is quite a bit of scrambling. 

Once you reach an intersection you need to take the trail going to the right. It should have a sign for either Affensteine or Beauthenfall and eventually, it will join the other trail going back down to the car park. From the end of the Wilde Hölle trail, it should take around 35 minutes to get back to the parking lot on a pretty flat trail. 

Where to stay while hiking to Idagrotte

If you choose to come by bus, then I highly recommend staying in Bad Schandau so that you have an easy way to get to the start of the trail. In my opinion, this is also the best base for exploring other Saxon Switzerland National Park attractions. Bad Schandau was the town we stayed in and it was perfect in terms of distance from the main hikes. In addition, since this is one of the bigger towns, then there are more options for accommodation and food. 

That concludes my guide on how to hike up Idagrotte and Kuhstall in Saxon Switzerland National Park. This incredible cave is an absolute must-see when visiting Germany! I would highly recommend visiting Saxon Switzerland National Park for a weekend to explore some other hikes in the region. If you have any questions regarding hiking to Idagrotte and Kuhstall, feel free to leave them below!

This post was all about hiking to Idagrotte (+ Kuhstall) in Saxon Switzerland, Germany.