Painter's Way

About this trail

The Malerweg — Painter's Way — winds through the iconic sandstone landscape of Saxon Switzerland, a region that once drew Romantic-era painters searching for sublime, otherworldly scenery. This shorter stretch captures the essential character of the area: sheer sandstone cliffs rising from dense forest, narrow ravines, and sudden panoramic openings over the Elbe valley. Footwear with solid grip is essential, as sandstone surfaces become treacherous when wet, and the route includes rooted sections and cut stone steps. The mixed trail type means some retracing or route-finding at the turnaround; study the junction markers before setting off. There is no reliable water source on the trail itself, so carry enough for the full outing. Late spring and early autumn offer the best combination of stable footing and crowd levels; midsummer brings heavy visitor traffic to this popular area. Signage follows the standard Saxon Switzerland marking system, but junctions in the forest can be easy to miss.