On the historic rafting trail on the Kirnitzsch

This hike begins at the Beuthenfall stop in the Kirnitzschtal valley along historic paths. If you have time, you can take the Kirnitzschtalbahn - a moving monument that has been transporting hikers since 1898. The route is 8 kilometers long and the smallest line in Saxony.

After crossing the Kirnitzsch, which is one of the cleanest rivers in Saxony, we follow the Flößersteig nature trail on the right (green diagonal line).

With a little thought and luck, you can observe the only songbird in the Kirnitzsch valley that is able to dive in running water: the brown dipper. It can be recognized by its shimmering brown plumage and striking white breast patch. In the Kirnitzsch, it hops from stone to stone, dives down, runs upstream under water with its wings slightly spread and searches for small aquatic animals.

At the Ostrauer Mühle mill, after the campsite, the rafting trail takes us across the Kirnitzsch and the road. It now continues on the other side of the road to Bad Schandau. In Bad Schandau, we can walk through the spa gardens and head towards the market. Our tour ends at the Elbkai (bus stop) and we can take the ferry to the national park railway station.