What a great moment it is when a crunchy bread cube sinks into melted cheese to reappear after a short while as a steaming nugget of aroma, and along with it, fresh mountain air, candlelight, a strong red wine and a fire crackling in a tiled wood-burning stove: A cabin night with Swiss cheese fondue in the Papststein Mountain Inn in Saxon Switzerland is no doubt one of the best ways to conclude a winter hiking tour. Papststein Mountain is a popular trip destination and the community of Gohrisch and its rustic mountain inn is legendary.

“Realm of Rocks” is what the region situated a bit away from the tourist crowds in the south of Saxon Switzerland is sometimes called. The German equivalent “Reich der Steine” alludes to the fact that Gohrisch Village - situated in the very heart of the region – is surrounded by half a dozen table mountains, in German called “Steine” and literally translated as “stones”. They make this countryside a particularly appealing winter hiking area. Dense woods alternate with wide expanses and gorgeous views. If you like you can even climb on several summits in a single hiking tour. And it is topped off with local culinary delights in lantern light in a “BrotZeit” snack tour from Waldidylle Inn – a posh picnic even in winter! The icing on the cake is a cross country ski tour below the table mountains.