Saxony is the German federal state in the country's southeast, bordering the Czech Republic and Poland, built around the twin poles of Dresden and Leipzig. Dresden, the Baroque capital on the Elbe, was painstakingly rebuilt after its 1945 destruction and today holds the Frauenkirche, Zwinger Palace, and Grünes Gewölbe treasury. Leipzig, once East Germany's publishing and trade-fair hub, is now known for its Bach heritage, the peaceful-revolution history of the Nikolaikirche, and the Spinnerei art complex in a former cotton mill. Beyond the two cities, Saxony holds the sandstone cliffs of Saxon Switzerland National Park, the porcelain town of Meissen, the Sorbian heartland around Bautzen, and the UNESCO-listed Erzgebirge mining region.
Top trails
Routes worth lacing up your boots for.
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1
Malerweg, Full Multi-Day Trail
Saxony's flagship long-distance trail, a 112 km, 8-stage route through Saxon Switzerland National Park tracing paths used by 19th-century Romantic painters, including Caspar David Friedrich, past the Bastei rock formation, Schrammsteine ridge, and Königstein fortress.
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2
Bastei and Basteibrücke Loop
A short, heavily visited loop to the Bastei sandstone formation and its 1851 bridge, offering some of the most photographed views over the Elbe river gorge in Saxon Switzerland, easily combined with a longer Malerweg stage.
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3
Schrammsteine and Affensteine Ridge Trail
The most technically demanding popular day hike in Saxon Switzerland, a ridge route through the jagged Schrammsteine and Affensteine sandstone towers requiring fixed-ladder scrambling and exposure to steep drops.
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4
Oybin and Zittau Mountains Circuit
A loop through the Zittauer Gebirge (Zittau Mountains), Germany's smallest low mountain range, climbing to the ruined medieval monastery and castle atop the Oybin rock formation, on the tri-border area near the Czech Republic and Poland.
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5
Fichtelberg Summit Trail, Erzgebirge
A climb to the summit of the Fichtelberg (1,215 m), Saxony's highest peak, in the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) above the resort town of Oberwiesenthal, with a cable car alternative and long-range views into the Czech Krušné hory on clear days.
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6
Kirnitzschtal and Lichtenhainer Waterfall Walk
A gentle valley walk along the Kirnitzsch stream from Bad Schandau to the Lichtenhainer Wasserfall, an artificially regulated waterfall that has drawn tourists since the 19th century, followed alongside a historic tram line.
Trail difficulty levels
Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.
Mostly flat, well-marked paths. Suitable for families and casual walkers.
Some elevation gain, longer distances. Requires basic fitness.
Significant climbs and exposure. Requires good fitness and route-finding.
Technical terrain, scrambling, or alpine conditions. Experience essential.
Local hazards
What to watch out for on the trail.
Sudden weather changes — always carry rain gear and warm layers.
Wildlife encounters — make noise on the trail and store food properly.
Trail conditions can deteriorate after rain — check recent reports before setting out.