Germany · Long-distance path

Forststeig Elbsandstein

A long-distance path in Germany: 103 km (64 mi) with 4,284 m of ascent, about 7 days on foot.

Distance: 103 km (64 mi)
Ascent: 4,284 m
Days: 7
High point: 723 m

The line is OpenStreetMap's mapping of the route (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), via Waymarked Trails, with heights from a 30 m terrain model. Check the current official route before a long trip: diversions and permitted paths change. See the source.

Move along the height chart to see each point on the map.

The trail

The Forststeig Elbsandstein is a trail through the forests and border ridges of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, from Schöna on the Elbe by the Grenzbaude, Ostrov, Beutwald, the Rotsteinhütte, Nikolsdorf and Gohrisch to Bad Schandau, in seven stages of 9 to 20 km. Its own site gives 105 km; the line here, from OpenStreetMap, measures 103 km. Some of the nights are in simple trekking huts.

Stages

A suggested split into 7 days of about 14.7 km (9.2 mi). Each day ends at the town or village on the way nearest to an equal share of the distance, or at a hotel or hostel where there is none. These are not the official stages: check where you can stay before you book.

Day 1 Schöna to Grenzbaude 14.8 km · 14.8 km from the start
Day 2 Grenzbaude to Ostrov 14.9 km · 30 km from the start
Day 3 Ostrov to Beutwald 13.8 km · 44 km from the start
Day 4 Beutwald to Rotsteinhütte 19.9 km · 63 km from the start
Day 5 Rotsteinhütte to Nikolsdorf 16.6 km · 80 km from the start
Day 6 Nikolsdorf to Gohrisch 13.7 km · 94 km from the start
Day 7 Gohrisch to Bad Schandau 9.4 km · 103 km from the start

Summits on the way

Großer Zschirnstein 560 m · 11.4 km from the start
Hühnerberg 486 m · 17.2 km from the start
Kristin Hrádek 491 m · 17.9 km from the start
Čížčí vrch 530 m · 22 km from the start
Turm der Felsenbrüder 476 m · 53 km from the start
Rotstein 457 m · 64 km from the start
Katzfels 474 m · 66 km from the start
Kohlberg 440 m · 70 km from the start
Gohrisch 448 m · 94 km from the start
Papststein 451 m · 95 km from the start

The listed hills and the highest of 80 tops within 300 m of the line. The app shows them all. Summits from OpenStreetMap.

Start and finish

Start: near Schöna, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge. 50.87575, 14.23448

Finish: near Bad Schandau, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge. 50.91933, 14.14005

Directions to the start

Google Maps Apple Maps

To the finish: Google Maps · Apple Maps

Places to stay

Rooms in the towns and villages along the way:

Schöna, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge · The start Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Grenzbaude, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge · After day 1 Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Ostrov, okres Ústí nad Labem · After day 2 Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Beutwald, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge · After day 3 Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Rotsteinhütte, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge · After day 4 Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Nikolsdorf, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge · After day 5 Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Gohrisch, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge · After day 6 Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Bad Schandau, Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge · The finish Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →

Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.

Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line comes from the source named under the map and the heights from a terrain model, so treat the figures as a guide. Check for diversions before you go, take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.