{"id":861091,"date":"2024-12-12T17:19:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-12T15:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=861091"},"modified":"2025-01-24T10:33:32","modified_gmt":"2025-01-24T08:33:32","slug":"saxon-switzerland-a-natural-wonder-of-germany","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/saxon-switzerland-a-natural-wonder-of-germany\/","title":{"rendered":"\ud83c\udfde\ufe0f Saxon Switzerland: a natural wonder of Germany"},"content":{"rendered":"

Among the endless variety of attractions<\/a> in Germany, there is one very special one. It is not as famous as Neuschwanstein and not as well attended as Oktoberfest<\/a>. But she is a living personification that Germany is gifted with miracles not only man-made, but also natural. It is one of the most beautiful national parks in Europe. We are talking about Saxon Switzerland.<\/p>\n

What is Saxon Switzerland<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Saxon Switzerland is 93 km2 of unique mountain landscape. Its basis is made up of sandstone mountains, which have provided building material<\/a> for Dresden<\/a> for centuries. There are no snow-capped peaks hiding in the clouds. But the bizarre outlines of the local stone blocks resemble a gallery of sculptures left in disarray by a hasty master.<\/p>\n

The endless green carpet of vegetation framing these giant sculptural compositions will remind you of Hansel and Gretel lost in the forests from the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm .<\/a> And of course, the picture would be incomplete without the waterway – the legendary Elbe. Despite its environmental status, there is plenty to do in Saxon Switzerland: 755 climbing spots, 400 km of hiking trails and 50 km of cycling trails.<\/p>\n

How to get there<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n

The Saxon Switzerland National Park<\/a> is located on the border of Germany and the Czech Republic: 125 km from Prague and 30 km from Dresden. The park is often included in organized sightseeing tours<\/a>. But even an individual traveler can easily reach it.<\/p>\n

From Prague<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The closest locations to Prague in Saxon Switzerland are the resort villages of Rathen and Bad Schandau. Trains run from Prague there; the journey takes 2-3 hours. Tickets can be purchased both at the station and online using the website of the national railway carrier of the Czech Republic – Ceske drahy<\/a>. Ticket prices from Tartu<\/a> start from 460 Czech crowns ($22).<\/p>\n

From the village of Rathen you can start your journey on foot to Saxon Switzerland, while from Bad Schandau you will have to take the local bus or the historical Kirnichtalbahn tram. Choosing the tram will give you an atmospheric, albeit short ride past the beauty of the park and, especially, the Lichtenhain Falls.\u00a0<\/p>\n

From Dresden<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The route from the capital of Saxony to the national park is easier and cheaper. There is an option to travel by train from Dresden main station, after checking the schedule on the Deutsche Bahn<\/a> website. Trains to Bad Schandau station run every half hour and the journey takes only 45 minutes. But be careful when choosing tickets to purchase. Deutsche Bahn offers a variety of fares, both regional and national, with different validity periods – from 4 to 49 euros. If in doubt, wait to purchase your ticket until you go to the station.<\/p>\n

The second option is to take the bus. From Dresden Central Bus Station you need to take bus number 160. You can get to Bad Schandau in 45 minutes, and the cost will be 5-7 euros.<\/p>\n

You can also get to the resort village of Rathen. The train runs there with no less frequency than to Bad Schandau, the journey takes only half an hour. And from Rathen to the national park you just have to cross the Elbe by ferry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And finally, you can rent a car in one of the rental offices in Dresden, for example<\/a>, Europcar<\/a>. The most expensive of all transport<\/a> options (the price of a car per day usually starts from 100 euros), however, is ideal for family travelers.<\/p>\n

What to see<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the national park you will find an excellent selection of places for lovers of a wide variety of recreation. There are walking trails for the most active, and natural views for photo<\/a> lovers, and a medieval castle for fans of antiquity. Let's talk about everything a little bit.<\/p>\n

\"Saxon<\/a><\/p>\n

Lichtenhain Falls<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the first points on your route<\/a> if you are moving from Bad Spandau. Not Niagara, of course, but where else in our latitudes can you see waterfalls<\/a>? <\/p>\n

A retro tram will take you to the murmuring streams<\/a>. However, it combines retro with innovation: it moves along a narrow-gauge railway from the late 19th century, but is powered partially by solar panels.<\/p>\n

\"Saxon<\/a><\/p>\n

As for the waterfall itself, it also represents a symbiosis of natural and human forces. To make the waterfall look more impressive, a century and a half ago, the cunning owners added a small dam, which periodically filled the waterfall with additional volume of water. The dam opened and the modest waterfall turned into a roaring torrent.<\/p>\n

The tradition has been preserved: every two hours, accompanied by music, you can see how the Lichtenhain Falls demonstrates strength and power with the help of a person.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bastei<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the most recognizable and popular landmark of Saxon Switzerland. It is quite possible to look at it every day, because it is included in the basic wallpaper package for the Windows desktop.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Bastei consists of cliffs rising 194 meters above the Elbe. Once upon a time, this natural wall was part of the complex of defensive structures of Neurathen Castle, which gave Bastei its proud name (translated from German Bastei – bastion).\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Saxon<\/a><\/p>\n

Like many things in the park, Bastei has become famous for the beneficial collaboration between man and nature. Two centuries ago, a stone seven-arch bridge was built in this beautiful but remote area. It blended perfectly organically into the natural panorama.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lifehack. To extend the pleasure of contemplating the bridge and the natural panorama, stay at the Berghotel Bastei or at least treat yourself to lunch in a restaurant near Bastei. Well, for short-term but powerful impressions, go up to the observation deck located at an altitude of 200 meters.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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