We start our hike at the "Eiche" bus stop in Hohnstein or at the car park of the same name. We first walk below the cemetery before turning into the paved road "Am Waldbad" (green line). We follow a slightly ascending dirt track, passing under a stone arch bridge, until we reach our first vantage point, the Napoleonschanze. A bench here invites you to take your first rest.
As we ascend, we can already recognise the Lilienstein and Königstein Fortress; at the highest point of the Napoleonschanze, the Rauenstein, the Bärensteine and the Bastei also stand out clearly on the horizon. The Napoleonschanze (also known as "Schanzenberg") is an artificial earth embankment up to 4 metres high, which had to be built in 1813 by the inhabitants of the Hohnstein-Lohmen district under the most difficult conditions in order to secure the Napoleon road from Königstein Fortress to Stolpen Castle. One day after its completion, the French army took up position. This was followed by battles with heavy losses on both sides of the war. After Austria allied itself with the Russians and Prussians against the French and Saxon troops in August 1813, Napoleon's defeat was sealed with the Battle of Leipzig.
After visiting this historic site, we turn right downhill across the meadow and turn left just before the edge of the forest. The path leads into the forest, at the next signpost we turn left towards Waitzdorf and follow the green line markings (Ringflügelweg). As you walk, you can easily recognise the natural regeneration of the forest in the form of young beech and spruce trees that are growing back and replacing their predecessors that have died due to bark beetle infestation. At the next crossroads, keep straight ahead (yellow line) towards Waitzdorf. The Brandweg leads us in gentle serpentines down into the valley of the Tiefen Grunds.
We cross the road and follow the Holländerweg up to Waitzdorf, where the scent of farming wafts into our nostrils - Galloways, sheep, horses and goats graze in the neighbourhood of the village of 50 inhabitants. We recommend a detour to the Waitzdorfer Höhe (414m), for which we turn left at the second bench onto the Leichenweg. Once at the top, a seating area invites you to take a break. A board also shows us which mountains can be seen in the distance. The imposing Lilienstein with its striking western edge is particularly impressive, but the Zschirnsteine, Laasensteine, Kohlbornstein, Kleinhennersdorfer Stein, Gohrisch and Papststein also stand out clearly. At 722 metres above sea level, the Schneeberg is the highest point on the horizon. The descent leads along the meadow, opening up views of the Schrammstein chain.
Back on the Holländerweg, we turn left. We soon reach the Holländerweg bus stop and turn right into the street "Am Dorfgrund" (Malerweg). The Waitzdorfer Schänke (www.schaenke-waitzdorf.de) invites you to stop for a bite to eat. Shortly after the small pond, we turn left into the Dorfgrund, which leads us down steps into the Tiefen Grund. We walk down the road for approx. 300 metres before taking the Brand steps (right, blue and red line, Malerweg) steeply up to the "Balcony of Saxon Switzerland" - the Brandaussicht. From the exposed viewing area, you can enjoy a panoramic view from the Schrammsteine in the east to Rathen in the west!
A visit to the Blockhaus Brand national park information centre is a good idea. Interesting information about the mountains, waters and sights on display can be accessed via interactive screen presentations. You can also find out more about the Polenz Valley and its special features. The "children's corner" of the exhibition entices visitors with a foray into the world of birds. Children can find out just how closely our native bird species are tied to very specific habitats by playing on the screen and using animal specimens.
For the short walk back to Hohnstein, we follow Brandstraße until the green line junction, where we turn left, later pass a small pond and after a few minutes come to the path with the red line markings. Turn right here. At the next crossroads, we continue straight ahead and soon arrive back in Hohnstein. Via Brand- and Max-Jacob-Straße we return to the starting point of the hike - Hohnstein Eiche.
