Saxon Switzerland National Park – Best Weekend Trip From Berlin

If you are planning a trip to Berlin then you must take a weekend trip to Saxon Switzerland National Park – Germany’s hidden gem.

Are you looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Berlin? Then the natural beauty of Saxon Switzerland National Park is the perfect weekend trip for you! Located just three hours away from the capital, this picturesque park is nestled in the heart of Saxony, Germany. Saxony Switzerland lies approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Berlin. Within its boundaries lie dramatic sandstone formations, dense forests, and winding rivers, offering a haven for outdoor enthusiasts seeking solace in nature’s embrace.

The weekend itinerary outlined below will include the best hikes you can find in Saxon Switzerland National Park. In addition, I have also added some scenic stops, cultural landmarks, and hidden gems waiting to be uncovered. We’re talking about detours to iconic sites like Moritzburg Schloss, and Dresden; a city brimming with history, art, and architectural marvels.

In this comprehensive weekend itinerary, I’ll provide you with all of the information you could need to plan an epic road trip to the beautiful Saxon Switzerland National Park. I’ll answer some popular questions about the best time to visit, how to get there, and provide you with a detailed daily itinerary. This will include the best hiking trails and viewpoints in Saxon Switzerland National Park. Get ready to pack your bags as I guarantee that this post will want to make you visit one of Germany’s best gems.

FAQs about Saxon Switzerland National Park

Is Saxon Switzerland worth visiting?

Absolutely! Saxon Switzerland National Park is definitely worth a visit. With its breathtaking landscapes, dramatic sandstone formations, and picturesque hiking trails, it offers a unique and unforgettable experience for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re seeking adventure, relaxation, or simply stunning views, Saxon Switzerland has something for everyone.

Is Saxon Switzerland near Dresden?

Yes, Saxon Switzerland National Park is located near Dresden. In fact, it’s just a short distance away from the city, making it a popular day trip destination for visitors to Dresden. The park is approximately 30 kilometers southeast of Dresden, making it easily accessible by car or public transportation.

What is Saxon Switzerland National Park known for?

Saxon Switzerland National Park is renowned for its dramatic sandstone formations, lush forests, and meandering rivers. The park is characterized by its unique and rugged landscape, which is dotted with towering rock formations, deep gorges, and stunning viewpoints. It’s a haven for outdoor activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and cycling, and it offers visitors the opportunity to explore its natural beauty and rich biodiversity. Additionally, the park is known for its cultural and historical significance, with landmarks such as the Bastei Bridge and the Königstein Fortress attracting visitors from around the world.

This post is all about Saxon Switzerland National Park – the best weekend trip from Berlin. 

Visiting Saxon Switzerland National Park – Important Information

Location: East Germany, in the state of Saxony.

Elevation: The valley of the Elbe lies at 110 meters and the highest peak in the park is at 556 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 Saxon Switzerland National Park

Arriving by car:

It is easiest to navigate the Saxon Switzerland National Park if you are coming by car. This will give you much more freedom in picking the attractions you want to see and where to drive from. The park is located around 250 kilometers from Berlin, and it takes three hours to arrive by car. Coming by car gives you more flexibility in where to stay in Saxon Switzerland as a base, as well as how to structure your day while here. In addition, if you come by car and can’t stay overnight, then doing a day trip to Saxon Switzerland is also possible. 

In general, this weekend itinerary is based on you having a car. This is because there will be a few stops on the way between Berlin and Saxon Switzerland National Park. I have chosen to include these stops to maximize the things that you can see on a weekend trip here. In addition, it will also allow you to be more flexible with the attractions during the day. If you cannot come by car then don’t fret, it is still possible to visit using public transportation. 

Arriving by public transportation: 

While visiting Saxon Switzerland National Park by public transportation is a little more difficult, it is by no means impossible. You may not be able to visit all of the attractions outlined in the itinerary below, but I will provide you with directions to the most important spots. In this weekend guide to Saxon Switzerland National Park, you will complete two main hikes. For each of these hikes, you can find a link for a full detailed blog post on how to get there and exact hiking directions. If you follow those posts, then you will find accurate descriptions of how to arrive at the starting point by public transportation. 

To get to the Saxon Switzerland National Park from Berlin, you will first need to make your way to Dresden. This is a beautiful city which I highly recommend that you check out. Therefore, you can take an extra night here if you wish to explore Dresden either before or after your trip. Then from Dresden, you can take the S train to some of the bigger areas in Saxon Switzerland. I would recommend taking the S1 train towards Bad Schandau and making this town your base during your visit. The journey will take around 45 minutes in total. If you would like to find a quicker route, then you can also take the regional train EC379 for just 25 minutes. 

Where to stay while visiting Saxon Switzerland National Park

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 trails. In my opinion, this is also the best base for exploring other Saxon Switzerland National Park attractions. Even if you have a car, I still think that Bad Schandau makes for a great base while exploring the area. However, if you have a car then you will also have more flexibility in choosing a base that has accommodations within your budget. The driving distance between attractions here is not very large. Therefore, any village between Rathen and Bad Schandau would make for a great base.

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. 

When to visit Saxon Switzerland National Park

The best time to visit Saxon Switzerland National Park is during the warm summer months. Many of the viewpoints here can only be accessed through a hike. 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. However, hiking here in the fall time is also a wonderful 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. 

How to spend a weekend in Saxon Switzerland National Park

Below I have created a Saxon Switzerland weekend itinerary based on the trip that we took there. I have created this in such a way that you will maximize your time since the trip is only for the weekend. This Saxon Switzerland National Park guide is structured in the following way:

• Day 1 – Moritzburg Castle and Bastei Bridge
• Day 2 – Idagrotte and Kuhstall
• Day 3 – Dresden

Day 1 – Moritzburg Castle and Bastei Bridge 

Morning:

Start the day bright and early and drive out of Berlin towards Saxon Switzerland National Park. You will be making a pit stop on the way and stopping at the beautiful Moritzburg Castle. The castle is located around 20 minutes away from Dresden. Set your navigation system to “Parkplatz Schloss Morizburg“. It will take you just over 2 hours to get here and costs 1.50 euros to park here for an hour. The parking lot is located right by the path to the castle, making it the perfect spot to stop for a beautiful nature break.

I highly recommend adding this stop to your itinerary as Moritzburg Castle is one of the most unique castles I have ever seen. The castle park is free to visit, and you should explore the grounds and surrounding nature. If you are interested in a guided tour of the castle interiors then you can check out their official site here. I recommend staying around an hour here before continuing on, as the hike to Bastei Bridge is a long one. 

If you are coming by public transportation, then you can easily get to Moritzburg Castle by bus. Take bus number 477 from Dresden Liststraße towards Moritzburg Markt. After 20 minutes get off at the Moritzburg Schloss stop and you will arrive at the entrance to the castle. 

Afternoon:

After stopping at the beautiful Moritzburg Castle, make your way to Hohnstein to start your hike to Bastei Bridge. The drive is around an hour, and you will want to park at “Hohnstein Parkplatz Eiche“. It should cost around 5 euros to park here for the day. If you are using public transportation, then I would recommend going for a shorter hike. This is because it is a little difficult to get to Hohnstein by public transportation. Head back to Dresden and take the S1 line towards Bad Schandau, getting off at Kurort Rathen. The journey will take around 30 minutes, and upon your arrival, you will need to take the F7 ferry across the Elbe River. With that said, it is also possible to make the journey towards Hohnstein. Click here for the directions.

I have a full blog post on how to hike up to Bastei Bridge which I highly recommend that you check out. The guide goes over how to get to the various starting points, and what to bring with you. In addition, it includes exact step-by-step directions for the hike itself.

Read More: How to Hike up to Bastei Bridge, Saxon Switzerland National Park

Overview of the hike to Bastei Bridge

Distance: ~ 15.5 km in total.

Difficulty: Medium / Challenging depending on fitness level.

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

Elevation gain: ~ 527 meters.

Type of trail: Out-and-back (same trail) with a small loop around Bastei Bridge.

Evening:

Since you will finish the hike to Bastei Bridge around early evening, I recommend having an easy night. Find your accommodation and spend the evening strolling around the town. You can either cook dinner at your Airbnb or grab something outside. If you are staying in Bad Schandau, then consider checking out Gambrinus. This restaurant was recommended by our hosts. We unfortunately didn’t get to try it since they didn’t have space for walk-ins, so make sure to call and make a reservation. 

Day 2 – Idagotte and Kuhstall

Morning and Afternoon:

On your second day in Saxon Switzerland National Park, you will complete one of the prettiest hikes in the area. The hike going through Kuhstall to Idagrotte will be full of incredible viewpoints and famous attractions in the region. The main highlight of the hike is reaching Idagrotte, a large cave overlooking the surrounding forests. This hike will take most of the day, but there is no need to rush in the morning. Make sure to get in a good breakfast and pack some lunch to take with you on the trail. 

Then, drive to “Parkplatz Lichtenhainer Wasserfall” to get to the hike starting point. If you are staying in Bad Schandau, then this journey will be just a quick 13-minute drive. Once you arrive, I recommend buying a day parking ticket so that you don’t have to worry about getting a fine. It should cost you around 7 euros. 

If you are coming by public transportation then you have several ways to arrive from Bad Schandau. You can 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”. Alternatively, you can opt for a more traditional way route and take the steam railway. The Kirnitzschalbahn operates 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.

Once again, I have a full blog post on how to hike up to Idagrotte and Kuhstall, so I recommend you check it out. The guide goes over how to get to the various starting points, and what to bring with you. In addition, it includes exact step-by-step directions for the hike itself.

Read More: Hiking to Idagrotte and Kuhstall

Overview of the hike to Idagrotte and Kuhstall 

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.

Evening:

In the evening, you will head to a super cool restaurant on a mountain top, overlooking the valley below. Drive to “Wanderparkplatz Galgenschänke” and park at the parking lot here. A day ticket costs just 3 euros, and the drive is a quick 10-minute journey from Bad Schandau. I wouldn’t recommend dressing up for dinner here, as you will have to earn your meal. 

Since the restaurant is located at the top of the rock, you will have to hike up for around 10-20 minutes to reach Berggast Bergwirtschaft Papststein. Since the way up is literally climbing up a few hundred stairs, the time it will take you to get up depends on your fitness level. I was not popular among my family when they realized this after we were halfway up, as we were tired and sore from the hike earlier. But, I can promise you that it is SO worth coming up here for dinner. The views here are absolutely insane, and the food is simply delicious. They have a good mix of traditional German dishes, as well as some dishes that can be Veganized. In addition, the beer here is also great! 

Spend a few hours here enjoying the food and watching the sunset. From the restaurant, you can go even higher up to the peak of the mountain. Make sure to do this to get some stunning panoramic views over Saxon Switzerland National Park. This spot was seriously one of the highlights of our weekend so don’t skip it!

Day 3 – Dresden

Morning:

The itinerary for today will heavily depend on how much you would like to cram in before heading back to Berlin. If you are up for one last adventure while in Saxon Switzerland National Park, then I have a few recommendations for you. However, feel free to pick something else that you would like to see before you head back. Additionally, if you feel like you need to sleep in, then do that instead. 

Option 1: Sunrise hike to Pavilionaussicht Gohrisch

This spot lies just next to the “Wanderparkplatz Galgenschänke“parking lot. Come here and complete a quick 15-minute hike up for an incredible sunrise view. This is an easy early morning activity, and based on reviews, you should get one of the best sunrise views in all of Saxon Switzerland National Park. 

Option 2: Sunrise at Bastei Bridge

If you thought that there were a lot of people at Bastei Bridge when you hiked there, then come here for sunrise. Considering the views from here, this is guaranteed to be a gorgeous spot to see the sunrise. However, there may be others who have the same idea and will join you here. Since there is a parking lot just 700 meters away from the bridge, you can actually drive up. Then it is just a quick 5-minute walk to reach this iconic spot. 

Option 3: Königstein Fortress

If you are a history lover or simply want to check out one of the most iconic landmarks in Saxon Switzerland, then head over to Königstein Fortress. This incredible structure was built over 400 years ago and is absolutely fascinating to visit. It is open daily from 9:00 to 17:00 and admission costs 13 euros per person. If you are interested in visiting, then you can find more information here. 

Afternoon:

In the late morning hours, make your way to Dresden to explore this beautiful city for a few hours. Dresden is an hour away from Saxon Switzerland National Park. Find a parking lot in the city center and explore the old town of Dresden. You can spend as long as you would like here, just keep in mind that afterward, you will still have a two-hour drive back to Berlin. 

While in Dresden, focus on exploring the old part of the city, as it is so beautiful. Start by visiting the Zwinger castle and gardens, which are free to visit and enjoy from the outside. This complex is really unique and there are lots of beautiful details around here, so take your time to soak it in. 

Afterward, explore the Altstadt (old city) and just wander the streets. Make sure to check out the Opera House, Theaterplatz, Hofkirch, Residenzschloss, and Furstenzug. Then, head to the famous and impressive Frauenkirche. Wander around the church and check out the Neumarkt and Altmarkt. Lastly, head over to Bruhls Terrace, for a beautiful lookout spot. 

If you have extra time, I recommend checking out the urban scene of Dresden. Head down to Augustusbrücke and cross over to the newer side of Dresen. Walk over to Kunsthofpassage which is also called the “Courtyard of Elements”. This courtyard complex is really cool and is filled with murals, sculptures, and cute shops. 

Evening:

In the late afternoon / early evening make your way back to Berlin. The drive should take around 2 hours although this will heavily depend on traffic. 

That concludes my Saxon Switzerland National Park weekend itinerary. This area is a hiker’s haven and has some incredible views no one should miss. Many people come to see Bastei Bridge on a day trip from Berlin. However, I hope that I have managed to convince you to come for a whole weekend so that you can see other places in Saxon Switzerland. This is one of Germany’s best gems, so make sure you don’t miss it on your next trip to Berlin!

This post was all about Saxon Switzerland National Park – the Best Weekend Trip from Berlin.