Malerweg, Stage 8: From Weißig to Pirna (official version by TV Sächsische Schweiz)

13.77 km long
Difficulty: medium
Condition: easy
Great panorama
Hiking

5:00 h
13.77 km
256 m
360 m
112 m
286 m
174 m
Start: Whitish
Destination: Pirna Market

An easy hike with several places to stop for a break

Weißig - Rauenstein - Rauenstein Ridge Trail - Wehlen-Pötzscha - Naundorf - Robert Sterl House - former quarries (Alternative: Panorama Trail) - Königsnase - Obervogelgesang - Elbe Cycle Route - Pirna - Canaletto Trail - Pirna Market Square - Canaletto House

Pavements

Unknown (67%)

Street (1%)

Asphalt (3%)

Gravel (3%)

Trail (7%)

Path (19%)

Best to visit

suitable

Depends on weather

Directions

On the final stage of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains Painters’ Trail, follow the trail markers from Weißig to the Rauenstein. This section is yet another treat for hiking enthusiasts. The ridge trail takes you to Wehlen-Pötzscha. Follow the road and turn left toward Naundorf, home to the Robert Sterl House, the most important art museum in Saxon Switzerland. It is even one of the few artists’ residences in Germany that has been preserved largely in its original state. In the center of Naundorf, the Malerweg takes you past the high cliffs of former quarries to the Königsnase. Note: The hiking trail above the former quarries leading to the Königsnase is currently in poor condition and extremely muddy in places; you’ll need to climb over or go around some fallen trees. Alternatively, you can hike the Struppen Panorama Trail from Naundorf. From Obervogelgesang (S-Bahn stop), follow the Elbe Cycle Path toward Pirna and turn right uphill to reach the Canalettoweg, which you’ll follow all the way to the heart of Pirna, with its romantic alleys and nooks. The route ends at the Canalettohaus on the market square. Here, at the Pirna Tourist Service, you can present your stamped Malerweg hiking pass to receive a certificate (regardless of how many stages you’ve completed) and a small souvenir if you’ve completed all the stages.

GPS data updated in 2021

Tour information

Cultural Interesting
Stop at an Inn

Equipment

Sturdy footwear required

Directions & Parking facilities

Getting there

The village is located on the eastern edge of the plateau that lies in front of the Bärensteine and the Rauenstein, on the left bank of the Elbe near Oberrathen, and is part of the municipality of Struppen. Struppen can be reached via the A17, taking the exit at the Pirna interchange, then continuing on the B172 to the Struppen/Rathen turnoff, or by coming from Königstein on the B172 and taking the Leupoldishain roundabout.Once you arrive in Struppen, continue on the K8734 toward Weißig.

Parking

Parking Lot - Weißig

Public transportation

Directions:

Bus line 246 (Pirna–Königstein)
to Rathen, then S-Bahn line S1 (Meissen – Schöna)
to Thürmsdorf Bus line 241 (Pirna – Hinterhermsdorf)

Departure:

S-Bahn S1 (Schöna–Dresden), buses, steamboat

Additional information

Struppen Tourist Information: +49 (0) 35020 70418

Pirna Tourist Service: +49 (0) 3501 556447

Accommodations with the “Hiker-Friendly on the Malerweg” certification along Stage8

Hiking with a dog:

An alternative route to the Rauenstein is a southern bypass around the massif via the forest trail (initially marked with a red line) and the Pudelstein geotope.

Literature

Order now for free: "Malerweg in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains" (Published by: Saxon Switzerland Tourism Association)

Author

Yvonne Brückner

Organization

Tourismusverband Sächsische Schweiz

Website

License (master data)

Yvonne Brückner

Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author

Pirna Distillery

How about a fiery souvenir from your Malerweg adventure for those back home? At the “Geist von Rathen” demonstration distillery in the Pirna brewery “Zum Gießer,” local fruits and herbs are transformed into fine fruit brandies and spirits. Visitors can watch the master distiller at work or book private tours with tastings.

Side trip Distance: 3 km
Basteistraße 60
01796 Pirna
Phone: +49 (0) 3501 464640

GALERIEWERKSTATT “Ansichtssache”
Painting, graphic art, and more: Heike Küchler and Claudia Pinkau have created a space for art and creativity with their gallery workshop “Ansichtssache” in Pirna. At Kirchplatz 5, next to St. Mary’s Church, they exhibit works from the Malerweg and offer courses in landscape painting. Every Friday from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., and from April through December also on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., they invite interested visitors to their open studio.

Kirchplatz 5
, 01796 Pirna

Phone: +49 (0) 35025 51283 or +49 (0) 1522 2572804

Safety guidelines