Schmilkaer Kessel

Hiking in winter doesn't always have to mean snow and sunshine. You can also lace up your hiking boots in grey weather and discover the mystical side of Saxon Switzerland. This challenging tour, for example, is recommended for such days. The big advantage is that you're almost on your own.

But let's start at the beginning. When you arrive on the Schmilka side with the S-Bahn and the ferry, the path leads you past some nice places to stop for refreshments. If you're lucky, the mill bakery is even open and you can buy some provisions for the way. However, you shouldn't carry too much luggage in your rucksack, because there is a good climb right at the beginning. On the asphalted Winterberg road, the trail continues uphill until you reach the "Zwieselhütte" junction. Now you continue straight ahead, but on pleasant forest soil. The path over the Heilige Stiege requires a lot of stamina and strength in the thighs, but on the other side you are rewarded with many small and larger views. A little later comes the really great view from the Carolafelsen. From up here you can see almost the whole of Saxon Switzerland. The cathedral, the Falkenstein, the Schrammsteine and the Lilienstein are particularly striking.

The trail continues along the Reitsteig on a good path. Along the way, you pass individual vistas, such as at the Wenzelwand, or cross the "bark beetle forest". The trail continues on a good path along the Reitsteig.  Along the way you pass individual vistas, such as at the Wenzelwand, or cross the "bark beetle forest".  On the Reitsteig, near the ascent on the Lehnsteig, you can visit the adventure and information trails "Wege zur Wildnis". The first part, opened in November 2022, shows how diverse and vital the forest has regenerated on its own in 15 years. The second part of the trail, opened in October 2023, leads through areas where many young birch trees, mosses, fungi and other plants have grown back on their own just one year after the fire in August 2022. The paths are very well marked and so it is easy to find your way around. The trail then leads back down to Schmilka via the root path.