On Saxony's most beautiful hiking trails, you will discover palaces and castles, vineyards, widemeadows and dense forests, cultural treasures of rare value along the way and fantastic views.The region's network of trails is well developed and you'll be welcomed by friendly hostseverywhere. Sometimes a hike can be deeply moving when the scenery inexplicably andincomprehensively touches us. In such a moment a hiking tour turns into an experience with along-lasting effect. The Malerweg, Painter's Way, hiking trail is a likely prospect for such an experience. On this trailyou walk in the footsteps of artists we today count among the inventors of Romanticism. Theyreturned again and again as they had discovered something here that was and is nowhere elseto be found in Europe.

Actually, the Malerweg Trail in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains could just as well be named “Photographers' Trail” in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. It is a land of plenty forphotographers as they find such an incredible variety of fabulous motifs in quick succession.Summits rising above a sea of mist, crippled pines at cliff sides, rivulets in wildly romantic gorges:what fascinates painters is attractive to photographers as well.
No other route through the Elbe Sandstone Mountains offers such a wide range of sights; this iswhat makes it so unique. The hiking trail near Dresden stretches over 116 kilometers from itsstarting point in the village of Liebethal through the wild rock formations of Saxon SwitzerlandNational Park to the Bohemian border. Returning on the left side of the Elbe River, it meandersthrough the realm of the table mountains to its final point in the heart of the small town of Pirna.Narrow gorges and endless expanses, enchanted valleys and sunny heights, dreamy villagesand lively tourist towns: all this is what the trail offers to those who venture on it.

Dresden's Surrounding Elbland Packs More in One Day Than Anywhere
Dresden Elbland, the region around Saxony's capital also known as “the cradle of Saxony“, is fullof cultural and natural delights.
Dresden and nearby Meissen, both steeped in history, or thestunning Renaissance town of Torgau and charming Radebeul on the Saxon Wine Route.
Picturesque vineyards and romantic river sceneries characterise the landscape, which is muchloved by walkers and cyclists alike. For us, Dresden Elbland combines nature, art, and culture inthe most beautiful way. When it comes to packing in as many sights as possible in one place,
Dresden is notdoing bad at all. In the city's old town, you'll find, among many others, the breath-takingbaroque Zwinger palace, the Semper Opera House and Frauenkirche (Church of OurLady). Close by are more treasures to discover. Meissen, birthplace of the world-famous porcelain, welcomes visitors with a splendid viewof its cathedral and Albrechtsburg Castle perching on a hill above the Elbe River. In theworkshops of the Meissen porcelain factory, you can peek behind the scenes and seemasters of this craft creating the most delicate objects.
Torgau is one of Germany's most beautiful Renaissance towns where you can follow inthe footsteps of the Protestant reformer Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina von Bora. Wine lover? Us too. And we have very good news: There's a special wine hiking optionalong the Saxon Wine Route and we recommend stopping here and there to sample the local produce. One of the best ways to explore Dresden Elbland is on the Elbe Cycle Route, an absolutefavourite among Germany's cycling routes. The Altkötzschenbroda village green in Radebeul is an architectural gem with lovinglyrestored half-timbered buildings. Explore artists' studios, galleries, restaurants, cafés andsmall shops – and don't forget to sample a glass of the local wine!
Dresden Elbland

Castling in Saxony - Castle Colditz Stands Out Once Again!
1,000 palaces, castles, fortresses, parks and gardens – Saxony provides rich grounds for loversof magnificent architecture and beautiful landscaping. Visitors will find a wide range of styles indelightful locations, be it Medieval, Baroque or Renaissance structures, and many of them arerelated to the region's most famous ruler, Augustus the Strong, who liked his residences to makean impression. Many Saxon palaces and castles house museums and exhibitions full of culturaltreasures, some also restaurants, cafes and accommodation. Often the historic walls and parksalso serve as enchanting venues for concerts, theatre plays, Medieval festivals, romanticweddings, corporate events or even Christmas markets. Take a look at our top picks and startplanning your castle road trip!  Going back almost 1,000 years, Colditz Castle is one of Saxony's oldest and largest castles. Withits striking white gables, Colditz Castle is one of the most beautiful Central German architecturalmonuments of the 16th century. It served as an important POW-camp for high-ranking officers ofthe Western Allies during World War II; Winston Churchill's nephew and the nephew of the thenBritish King George VI were also among its prisoners. Secret radio rooms, tunnels brokenthrough the masonry and a secretly built glider are examples of the many tales told of thenumerous creative escape attempts in the »Escape Museum«. The book entitled »The ColditzStory« and its film adaptation have made Colditz world famous. However, the castle on the Mulderiver south of Leipzig was already an imperial seat under Emperor Barbarossa and has a colorfulhistory to be explored by curious visitors. Today it also houses a popular youth hostel.