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Saxon Switzerland National Park is a dramatic landscape of sandstone towers, deep gorges, and forested plateaus carved by the Elbe River. Celebrated by Romantic painters in the 18th century, this borderland wilderness inspired myths of hidden fortresses and stone labyrinths, earning its reputation as one of Central Europe’s most striking natural regions.

Where is it located

The park stretches along the Elbe River in eastern Germany, just beyond the Czech border, opposite Bohemian Switzerland. It lies southeast of Dresden and forms a continuous sandstone landscape shared by both countries, marked by cliffs, mesas, and river valleys.

How to access

You typically visit Saxon Switzerland National Park on a Bohemian–Saxon Switzerland combo day tour from Prague. These guided trips handle cross-border transport and cover key viewpoints and rock formations, making it the most convenient way to experience both regions in a single day.

Things to note before booking Saxon Switzerland National Park tickets

Saxon Switzerland is most commonly visited on Bohemian–Saxon Switzerland combo day tours from Prague. These tours handle cross-border transportation into Germany and organize visits to the park’s main viewpoints, which is far simpler than navigating regional trains and buses on your own.
The park visit usually focuses on key highlights rather than full hikes. Day tours are designed to cover major viewpoints and landmarks efficiently, not long-distance trekking, making them suitable even if you’re not an experienced hiker.
Walking routes involve uneven terrain. Expect forest paths, stone steps, and rocky sections throughout the park. While distances are manageable, the terrain is not wheelchair accessible and may be challenging for visitors with limited mobility.

Why Saxon Switzerland deserves a spot on your Prague itinerary

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A dramatic landscape unlike anything in Prague

Swap city spires for towering sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, and forested plateaus carved by the Elbe River — a complete contrast to Prague’s urban scenery.

Iconic viewpoints above the Elbe

Clifftop platforms reveal sweeping panoramas of the river valley and jagged rock formations, offering some of the most striking natural views in Central Europe.

An easy cross-border escape

Located just across the German border, Saxon Switzerland is comfortably reachable on guided day tours from Prague that manage transport and park access.

Designed for scenic walks, not extreme hikes

Most visits focus on well-marked trails and viewpoints, making the experience accessible even if you’re not an experienced hiker.

A photographer’s dream

From mist rising over rock towers to golden light hitting sandstone cliffs, the park delivers dramatic compositions in every season.

A refreshing break from city sightseeing

After days of castles and cobblestones, the open air, forest paths, and panoramic cliffs offer a completely different pace and perspective.

Best hiking routes in the national park

Bastei to Rathen trail

This popular route begins at the Bastei viewpoint and descends through forested paths and stone steps toward the Elbe River, ending in the village of Rathen, with continuous cliffside views along the way.

Schrammsteine ridge trail

Starting near Bad Schandau, this more demanding route climbs steep ladders and rock steps to reach exposed sandstone ridges, rewarding hikers with dramatic panoramas over the Elbe Valley.

Kuhstall arch trail

Beginning near Lichtenhain, this moderate hike leads to the Kuhstall, a natural sandstone arch and former medieval shelter, before continuing to scenic lookout points along the plateau.

Malervweg (Painters’ Way) section hikes

Portions of this long-distance trail can be explored in shorter segments, guiding walkers through the park’s most photogenic landscapes once favored by Romantic artists.

Must-see viewpoints & landmarks in Saxon Switzerland

Bastei Bridge

Perched high above the Elbe River, this 19th-century stone bridge connects dramatic sandstone pinnacles and delivers the park’s most iconic panoramic views.

A glimpse into its roots

Saxon Switzerland’s sandstone landscape was shaped over millions of years, but its cultural story took off in the 18th and 19th centuries when Romantic-era artists and writers began treating the Elbe Sandstone Mountains as a symbol of wild, sublime nature. Painters such as Caspar David Friedrich helped turn the region into a visual icon of German Romanticism, and trails that now feel “classic” often follow routes first popularized by these early travelers and landscape enthusiasts.

Long before it became protected as a national park, the area was also a frontier zone, with hilltop fortifications and defensive sites reflecting centuries of strategic importance along the Elbe corridor. Today, Saxon Switzerland sits alongside Bohemian Switzerland across the Czech border**, forming one continuous sandstone region with shared geology but distinct histories. Its modern identity blends conservation with outdoor culture—marked trails, viewpoint networks, and climbing traditions—while carefully protecting fragile rock formations and forest habitats.

More reads

Bohemian Switzerland National Park day tours

Explore Bohemian Switzerland National Park

Plan your visit to Saxon Switzerland National Park

A full-day nature adventure with guided walks, scenic viewpoints, & a traditional Czech lunch in a small group of 10.

Day out to Bastei Bridge and the Bohemian National Park with round-trip AC van transfers, including hotel pick-up and drop-off for a smooth 11-hour outing.
You’ll get an expert English-speaking guide who will lead your hikes and highlight the sandstone formations, cliff lines, and river canyons around you.
Bastei Bridge: Walk across this dramatic sandstone bridge and pause at cliffside viewpoints overlooking the Elbe River canyon and the rock towers surrounding it.
Pravčická Brána & Tisa Rocks Labyrinth: Hike to Pravčická Brána, the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe, or explore the Tisa rock maze in winter, passing through towering rock walls, narrow corridors, and viewpoints featured in films like The Chronicles of Narnia.
Local lunch: Enjoy a traditional Czech meal at a countryside restaurant, with options such as goulash, potato dumplings, or vegetarian dishes.

Inclusions #

11-hour full-day tour of Bastei Bridge & Tisa Walls Labyrinth
Round-trip transfers in an air-conditioned van with hotel pick-up & drop-off from Prague’s City Center
Expert English-speaking guide
Guided tour of Bastei Bridge in Saxon National Park
Guided hike along Pravčická Brána in Bohemian National Park
Guided hike along Tisa Rocks Labyrinth
Traditional Czech lunch in a local restaurant (1 main meal; vegetarian options available)
Trekking poles, if needed
Snack pack & bottled water
Small-group experience (limited to 10 participants)

What to bring

Carry a valid ID or your passport, as the tour crosses the border between the Czech Republic and Germany.
Wear sturdy, comfortable hiking shoes, since the trails involve rocky terrain, forest paths, and elevated viewpoints with uneven footing.
Pack a rain jacket or a small umbrella, because the area is known for sudden weather changes throughout the year.

What's not allowed

Smoking is not allowed on forest trails or protected rock areas due to fire safety regulations.
Large suitcases or bulky luggage are not permitted on the tour vehicle, so only small daypacks are suitable.
Stay on the marked paths at all times, as the area is a protected landscape with delicate sandstone features.
Drones are prohibited in protected national park zones on both the Czech and German sides, as these areas have strict conservation rules.
Touching or carving into rock formations is strictly forbidden to preserve the natural landscape.

Accessibility

This tour is not wheelchair accessible, as the route includes steep climbs, narrow passages, and uneven natural surfaces.
The total hiking distance during the main season is about 12km and requires a moderate level of fitness to complete comfortably.

Additional information

The summer route from April to October begins at Pravčická Brána and includes a boat ride in Edmund’s Gorge, while the winter route from November to March starts at Tisa Rocks Labyrinth without the boat ride.
Weather conditions can influence trail accessibility, so the itinerary may be adjusted for safety reasons during rain, snow, or strong winds.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

A full-day nature adventure with guided walks, scenic viewpoints, & a traditional Czech lunch in a small group of 10.

Day out to Bastei Bridge and the Bohemian National Park with round-trip AC van transfers, including hotel pick-up and drop-off for a smooth 11-hour outing.
You’ll get an expert English-speaking guide who will lead your hikes and highlight the sandstone formations, cliff lines, and river canyons around you.
Bastei Bridge: Walk across this dramatic sandstone bridge and pause at cliffside viewpoints overlooking the Elbe River canyon and the rock towers surrounding it.
Pravčická Brána & Tisa Rocks Labyrinth: Hike to Pravčická Brána, the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe, or explore the Tisa rock maze in winter, passing through towering rock walls, narrow corridors, and viewpoints featured in films like The Chronicles of Narnia.
Local lunch: Enjoy a traditional Czech meal at a countryside restaurant, with options such as goulash, potato dumplings, or vegetarian dishes.

Inclusions #

11-hour full-day tour of Bastei Bridge & Tisa Walls Labyrinth
Round-trip transfers in an air-conditioned van with hotel pick-up & drop-off from Prague’s City Center
Expert English-speaking guide
Guided tour of Bastei Bridge in Saxon National Park
Guided hike along Pravčická Brána in Bohemian National Park
Guided hike along Tisa Rocks Labyrinth
Traditional Czech lunch in a local restaurant (1 main meal; vegetarian options available)
Trekking poles, if needed
Snack pack & bottled water
Small-group experience (limited to 10 participants)

What to bring

Carry a valid ID or your passport, as the tour crosses the border between the Czech Republic and Germany.
Wear sturdy, comfortable hiking shoes, since the trails involve rocky terrain, forest paths, and elevated viewpoints with uneven footing.
Pack a rain jacket or a small umbrella, because the area is known for sudden weather changes throughout the year.

What's not allowed

Smoking is not allowed on forest trails or protected rock areas due to fire safety regulations.
Large suitcases or bulky luggage are not permitted on the tour vehicle, so only small daypacks are suitable.
Stay on the marked paths at all times, as the area is a protected landscape with delicate sandstone features.
Drones are prohibited in protected national park zones on both the Czech and German sides, as these areas have strict conservation rules.
Touching or carving into rock formations is strictly forbidden to preserve the natural landscape.

Accessibility

This tour is not wheelchair accessible, as the route includes steep climbs, narrow passages, and uneven natural surfaces.
The total hiking distance during the main season is about 12km and requires a moderate level of fitness to complete comfortably.

Additional information

The summer route from April to October begins at Pravčická Brána and includes a boat ride in Edmund’s Gorge, while the winter route from November to March starts at Tisa Rocks Labyrinth without the boat ride.
Weather conditions can influence trail accessibility, so the itinerary may be adjusted for safety reasons during rain, snow, or strong winds.

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Day Trips

From Prague: Bastei Bridge & Tisa Walls Labyrinth Day Trip

A full-day nature adventure with guided walks, scenic viewpoints, & a traditional Czech lunch in a small group of 10.

Day out to Bastei Bridge and the Bohemian National Park with round-trip AC van transfers, including hotel pick-up and drop-off for a smooth 11-hour outing.
You’ll get an expert English-speaking guide who will lead your hikes and highlight the sandstone formations, cliff lines, and river canyons around you.
Bastei Bridge: Walk across this dramatic sandstone bridge and pause at cliffside viewpoints overlooking the Elbe River canyon and the rock towers surrounding it.
Pravčická Brána & Tisa Rocks Labyrinth: Hike to Pravčická Brána, the largest natural sandstone arch in Europe, or explore the Tisa rock maze in winter, passing through towering rock walls, narrow corridors, and viewpoints featured in films like The Chronicles of Narnia.
Local lunch: Enjoy a traditional Czech meal at a countryside restaurant, with options such as goulash, potato dumplings, or vegetarian dishes.

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8 hr.

Guided tour

Transfers available

Pickup available