Sheer sandstone cliffs and mountains draped with lush forests distinguish the national park Germany has claimed as its own “Switzerland.” Once an ancient lakebed, the Elbe etched out the now-inhabited valleys, leaving monolithic peaks standing up to 600m tall. Although archaeologists can trace settlements in the area back to the Bronze Age, the region truly flourished under the auspices of the Saxon electors of the Holy Roman Empire, for whom it served as the perfect destination for such activities as hunting expeditions and various court festivals. Over the past century, it has become one of the most popular national vacation destinations, but it’s virtually unknown outside of Germany. Transportation within the park is very thorough and affordable, and hiking, biking, kayaking, and canoeing opportunities abound in this exceptional corner of Germany just kilometers down the river from Dresden.
The park is easily accessible by Dresden’s S1, running from Meißen to the Dresden Hauptbahnhof along the southern bank of the Elbe River (every 30min.), stopping at Bad Schandau or Schöna. Some towns ...more
The national park is divided into the vorderer Teil (front section) and the hinterer Teil (back section). The Elbe River, along which most of the region’s towns lie, runs from the Czech Republic in the ...more
The entire region can be seen on a daytrip from Dresden, but vacationers looking for an extended stay can choose from many types of accommodations. Private rooms can be booked through tourist offices. ...more
With nearly 100km of trails, hikes of all lengths and difficulty levels are available, and only a few are listed here. Trails are often well marked, but a green stripe can be difficult to distinguish from ...more
Cyclists will enjoy the formidable Elberadweg, a 860km bike path that traces the Elbe as it slices through Germany from the Czech Republic and empties into the North Sea. A 30km segment runs through the ...more
WATER SPORTS. Canoeing on the broad and tranquil Elbe lets you float between the raised sandstone plateaus, swallowed between the pined hills, and peer up at the occasional castle. Kanu-Aktiv-Tours, ...more
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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