A marked hiking route begins in Rathen; the surrounding area also offers climbing, paddling, cycling and boat trips. When looking for a hotel in Rathen, you can consider whether the route or other activities will shape your stay.

Hiking from Kurort Rathen

The trail starts in Kurort Rathen and leads via Amselsee, Amselgrund, Schwedenlöcher, Bastei and Neurathen Rock Castle, continuing afterwards as far as Stadt Wehlen. Sure-footedness and sturdy footwear are required for this route. Take these requirements into account when planning your hike. At Neurathen Rock Castle, visitors can see the remains of a medieval castle complex. Those interested in historic sites will find a cultural and historical connection along the route.

Activities in the surrounding area

In the area around Rathen, you can go climbing or paddling, cycle along the Elbe Cycle Route, take a gondola ride on Amselsee or travel along the Elbe on a historic paddle steamer. Amselsee is both a stop on the marked route and a place to take a gondola ride. Climbing, paddling and cycling are active pursuits alongside the boat trips. Check seasonal operations and availability before your trip.

Note about the Rathen Open-Air Theatre

In September 2026, the Rathen Open-Air Theatre grounds and the access path were temporarily closed due to severe storm damage in the Rathen area; scheduled performances were cancelled until further notice. Check the latest status before visiting.

In the wider travel destination of the Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge district

Saxon Switzerland National Park is Saxony’s only national park and Germany’s only rock national park. A 40-kilometre section of the Elbe Cycle Route runs through Saxon Switzerland. The Malerweg, by contrast, is solely a hiking trail and cannot be explored by bicycle or e-bike. The two routes therefore clearly differ according to the preferred activity: cycling or hiking.

Königstein Fortress offers modern exhibitions and interactive displays that bring its history to life. There are also guided tours, hands-on activities and cultural events. Individual exhibitions and programmes may change.

The Altenberg Mining Museum provides a comprehensive overview of the 550-year history of tin mining in Altenberg. Mining began around 1440 and ended in 1991 when operations ceased.

The “Speciality Weeks” are held annually in the Ore Mountains part of the district, celebrating the diversity of local cuisine. Check event dates before your trip.

At the Osterzgebirge Wildlife Park, visitors can see native species such as fallow deer, red deer and mouflon, lynxes, wildcats and raccoons, as well as white-faced marmosets, coatis, meerkats, Asian small-clawed otters and Bennett’s wallabies, all in naturalistic surroundings. The animal population may change.

Discover more destinations: Geising, Kreischa, Porschdorf, Struppen, Dippoldiswalde, Pirna, Altenberg, Dürrröhrsdorf-Dittersbach

Back to the main travel overview: Saxon Switzerland.