Imagine a soft bright light, green all around you, fawns along your path swaying in the wind, wild blueberries and raspberries, big rocks covered with bright green moss, high trees which protect you from the rain. You’re walking along a little path, all alone, listening to the sounds of the forest, to the birds, to the wind in the trees. I felt like Little Red Riding Hood searching for her dwarfs (funnily I was even wherein a red jacket 😉 My neck hurt after the trek because I had to stop and look at every corner and crack my neck to see the whole extent of this beautiful place – yes this is the hike to Schrammsteine!
It was the most romantic paths I ever walked. Truly! To proof that I’m not exaggerating watch this video and see the hike to Schrammsteine:
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Did I promise too much?
This place really exists. The hike to Schrammsteine is a hiking trail in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in beautiful Saxon Switzerland in Eastern Germany. And the trail is not even the highlight. I didn’t even mention the panorama at the viewing platform at the end of the trek which is one of the best in the area. You’ll have a stunning view of the very famous Schrammsteine which represent the characteristic image of Saxon Switzerland. They are formed of big basalt sticking hundreds of meters out of the grounds. Besides the amazing view at Schrammsteine which are in average 4000 meter high, from the end of the trek you’ll have a great view at Elbe river, the border to the Czech Republic as well as a 360 degrees view around the whole area. Don’t miss to do this hike to Schrammsteine.
Hike to Schrammsteine in detail
There are different ways to get to the Schrammstein viewpoint. I’m gonna show you a short one which is still suitable for people who are not super fit or just not up for a long walk. It takes 3.5 hours (ascent and descent) including a little rest at the viewpoint and is around 5.6 kilometres long. The long hike is even more beautiful.
The starting point of the short trek is a restaurant called „Schrammsteinbaude“. Pass the restaurant up the hill and you’ll arrive at a little parking lot on the right-hand side after about 200 m. This is the starting point of the trek. Search for the sign guiding to „Schrammsteinaussicht“ and after few meters, you’ll already be surrounded by this beautiful romantic atmosphere. The path leads through you beautiful green forest, is easy and just a little uphill and goes through a valley.
Always follow the green dot and stick to the right three times when the paths intersect. Don’t follow the black errors leading towards the rocks, they’ll bring you to the climbing area. After around half an hour through the beautiful valley, you have to turn left following the sign „Schrammtor“ which represents a massive natural gate made from basalt stones.
You can’t miss it actually. Now the environment changes a bit a leads along huge rocks for around 10 minutes. Then you’ll arrive at „Wildschützensteig“ which represents the final meters towards the peak. Nevertheless, it will take some more time for you to get up as the way from now on consists of stairs, steps and ladders. And there might be some kind of traffic jam if slow people are in front of you or many people are coming down.
But the many steps and the waiting will be rewarded on top – I promise! Take some picnic and time to enjoy the view all over Saxony, at the famous Schrammsteine, one of the best views of Saxon Switzerland – at the stunning Elbe Sandstone Mountains, at Elbe river and Czech Republic.
It is so impressing how only about 400 meters difference of altitude can make such a difference and already upon up such a beautiful view! This hike to Schrammsteine is even suitable for sports dorks!
How to get there?
Parking lot close to restaurant Schrammsteinbaude
Zahnsgrund 12
01814 Bad Schandau
I don’t know any option to get there by public transportation. If you have no other option, you can do the long trek from Bad Schandau. To get to Bad Schandau , e.g. from Dresden, you can take the Metro S1 (direction Schöna) and start your trek from the metro station in Bad Schandau.
Which equipment do you need for the hike to Schrammsteine?
The trek is easy and not too long. Nevertheless, hiking boots are always a good idea, but not a must, I guess sneakers should work out as well. Definitely, take a backpack and no bag or handbag because you will need both of your hands for climbing the stairs and ladders at the end of the track. Also, don’t forget food and as there is no possibility to buy any on the way or on top. As the peak is kind of a platform, make sure to bring some warm clothes because it might get windy up there.
And last but not least, leave your phone at home, open your eyes and enjoy the scenery 🙂
Did you like this hike? Then you should definitely check my favourite hike in Bavaria!
Hi Jules, happy to year that you like it. I REALLY LOVED IT ALSO <3