- Dresden, Germany, Europe
- 6.4 km
- Hike
- Moderate trail - with some elevation changes
- Round Trip
- Karolafelsen, Idagrotte
The Elbe Sandstone Mountains range from Germany into the Czech Republic and are well-known to hikers and climbers for being a beautiful and easy-to-reach nature retreat to northern Germans. The German part is famously known as the "Saxonian Switzerland" for 300 years. It's main attractions — the Elbe river, the Bastei, the Königstein fortress, and the two main mountain areas Schrammsteine and Affensteine — are visited by millions of tourists every year.
This tour is a roundtrip through Affensteine that offers one stunning view after the other. There's two great spots for picnicks: Karolafelsen overlooking the Schrammsteine, and Idagrotte, a grotto in the side of the mountain. The path takes you up Wilde Hölle, where a bit of light climbing over metal clamps is required. This tour is very appealing with children, as "boring" walking is often replaced with ladders, clamps, and stairs. It could be advisable to skip Idagrotte though if the children have no mountain experience.
Recommended gear
The right gear is essential for this challenging hike. Make sure you have plenty of supplies. And all-weather gear, make sure to pack light since you'll be walking a lot
Other Routes Nearby
Our Trail Picks in Europe
- *These trails have been carefully compiled by TomTom and The North Face. However, we cannot guarantee the condition of these trails, you may encounter natural or man-made hazards and therefore it remains your responsibility to follow it with due care and attention.