Bastei Bridge

Robber knights once roamed the area long ago. Then the Romantic artists came. Today, the Bastei Rock is a popular sight. From the Bastei look-out point a unique panoramic view opens up to many landmarks including the Lilienstein Mountain and Königstein Fortress. A 76.5 m long bridge stretches between the rock formations. You can also enjoy a fantastic view from the Bastei Bridge in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Across the bridge you reach the well-known remains of Felsenburg Neurathen Rock Fort. It is the largest medieval fort of the area. Other impressive viewing points such as Ferdinandstein or Kanapee Cliff provide spectacular wide views over the Elbe Valley and to the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.

The access road to Bastei Rock and to the Bastei Berghotel MountainHotel leads via the small village of Lohmen. Simply enter the address 01847 Lohmen into your navigation system or the GPS coordinates: Latitude 50.9665139 and Longitude 14.0657333.

At the approach to Bastei there are two options to park your car. There is a car park in the immediate vicinity of Bastei Rock. From there, even wheelchair users can comfortably start their excursion to Bastei Rock. Another car park is situated at the outset of Basteistraße Road; there is the option to use a bus shuttle service to Bastei Rock.

No 1 Cark Park is located right at the crossroads and provides enough space to function as a reception car park. There are day tickets for cars, coaches and campers (the latter are allowed to stay for max. 24 hours). From there you walk on foot (about 3.5 km) or take the shuttle bus to Bastei Rock. 

No 2 Car Park is closer to Bastei Rock and therefore slightly more expensive. Varying fees are charged for campers depending on the vehicle’s height as detected by a light barrier. Thus for small campers (for instance VW Caravelle) that do not claim more space than a normal car, a smaller fee is charged than for more roomy vehicles.

• Basteiaussicht  most spectacular view from a modern platform (reopened 3.2.23)
• Pavillonaussicht View to the Bastei Bridge (before descent via Schwedenlöcher  hiking trail)
• Wehlstein-Aussicht View (on the left side shortly before reaching Bastei Hotel)
• View from Ferdinandstein Cliff (on the left side before getting to Bastei Bridge)
• Bastei Bridge with various look-out points
• Tiedge-Aussicht View (on the descent to Rathen Village on the right side)
• Kanapee Cliff View (on the descent to Rathen Village on the right side)

Overview of the look-out points on a map
Copyright: National Park Administration Archive, Frank-Rainer Richter

A visit to the Bastei can be integrated perfectly into a day tour through Saxon Switzerland. There are many hiking routes that lead around Bastei Rock. A very popular hike runs from Stadt Wehlen via Bastei to Kurort Rathen (or the other way round). On this hiking tour, also called the “Golden Triangle”, sights such as the ruins of Wehlen Fort, Bastei Bridge and the Schwedenlöcher (Swede Hole) Trail can be discovered.

You like hiking? Find various hiking tours around Bastei Rock as well as routes in Saxon Switzerland on our interactive hiking map.

Tour planner

The Bastei looks back on a fascinating history. Travellers discovered the beauty of this place over 200 years ago and it soon became one of the most important tourist centres in the region.

The beginnings of tourism

The tourist development of the Bastei began modestly. The Bastei was first mentioned in travel literature in 1797. It was also at this time that the first simple catering service was established: a resourceful entrepreneur sold food and drink to visitors from a carrier basket.

First permanent accommodation

1812 marked another milestone: the first ‘bark huts’ were built a little away from the main viewing point. These primitive shelters, run by the Lohmen butcher Pitsch, offered travellers simple hospitality and accommodation.

The first inn

With the growing popularity of the Bastei, the need for better infrastructure also increased. The first permanent inn was finally built in 1826. This was an important step in the development of tourism in the region.

The Bastei Bridge

A highlight in the history of the Bastei is undoubtedly the construction of the Bastei Bridge. The first version was built from wood in 1824. Only a few years later, in 1851, it was replaced by the stone bridge, which is still admired today as a technical monument. With a length of 76.5 metres, it connects the rocks and offers spectacular views.

Expansion of the infrastructure

Over the course of the 19th century, the infrastructure on the bastion was continuously expanded. More buildings were constructed, including an observation tower and additional accommodation for the growing number of visitors.

Artistic inspiration

The impressive landscape of the Bastei not only attracted tourists, but also inspired numerous artists. Caspar David Friedrich's painting of the Neurathen rock gate is particularly famous and captures the romantic fascination for this landscape.

The history of the Bastei is a testimony to how an originally unspoilt place developed into a popular tourist destination without losing its natural charm. From humble beginnings to a well-developed tourist infrastructure, the Bastei has evolved over two centuries to become a landmark of Saxon Switzerland.