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Medieval Tour to the Rock Castle Neurathen and the Swedish Caves

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Medieval Tour to the Rock Castle Neurathen and the Swedish Caves

Easy

4.8

(9499)

30,588

hikers

Medieval Tour to the Rock Castle Neurathen and the Swedish Caves

01:54

6.09km

210m

Hiking

Do you know where the Schwedenlöcher got their name? The name „Schwedenlöcher“ dates back to the Thirty Years' War, when the Swedes marched through the country. They had a reputation for destroying, plundering, and robbing everything. So, the inhabitants of the surrounding villages brought their belongings and themselves to safety in the gorges – also called holes.

When you hike through the rugged rock formations, you will also immediately recognize that there are all sorts of good hiding places here. The romantic and at the same time adventurous gorge leads you between green walls and rugged rocks over approx. 700 steps and two steep iron ladders from the Gansweg down to the Amselgrund.

Important note: The rock castle itself is currently closed due to safety deficiencies. However, this only affects a small extra loop on the tour, which is normally done before the Bastei bridge. You can otherwise hike the loop as usual.

by Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz

Last updated: June 5, 2026

This route includes a ferry crossing

Tips

Includes ferry crossings

Check ferry timetable.

After 329 m for 97 m

After 5.67 km for 97 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

318 m

Rathen Ferry

Highlight (Segment) • Structure

The most environmentally friendly solution for a ferry. It uses the power of water and can thus be driven from side to side without a motor.

The VVO tariff does not apply to the ferry. An extra ticket must be purchased on / on the ferry. (As of April 2016: adult € 1, discount € 0.50 one-way, € 1.80 / € 0.80 return)

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1.57 km

Felsenburg Neurathen (closed due to dilapidation)

Highlight • Castle

The Felsenburg Neurathen is an interesting starting point for all those interested in history, as signs present interesting facts about this historical place. It is impressive how long ago people were able to use the terrain for a purpose. There is a trust box at the entrance, so it is also possible to visit the site outside of the admission times.

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1.65 km

Bastei Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

The Bastei is probably the most famous highlight of Saxon Switzerland. In the high season from April to October, the bastion is frequently visited by tourists. But in the winter months you actually have the opportunity, and not infrequently, to escape the crowds of tourists and to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Elbe in peace and quiet.

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2.01 km

View of the Wehlsteine

Highlight • Viewpoint

Very nice view of the rocks. Should you take a look. Great view from the viewing platforms.

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3.03 km

Pavilion Viewpoint (Pavillonaussicht)

Highlight • Viewpoint

From the hiking crossroads, descend into the Schwedenlöcher and turn right to the Pavilion Viewpoint. This offers a different view of the Bastei.

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3.18 km

Schwedenlöcher

Highlight (Segment) • Gorge

The Schwedenlöcher are a particularly exciting section and my personal highlight in Saxon Switzerland. This section got its name during the Thirty Years' War, when farmers from the village of Rathenwalde fled there to escape the Swedish soldiers and occupiers of the village. In my opinion, this is the most beautiful gorge path in Saxon Switzerland that I know of. This particularly wild path has something almost fairytale-like about it and at times you feel like you are in the jungle.

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4.19 km

Mini Kneipp bath

Highlight • Other

"Treading Water, Here's How To Do It Right:

It is important to always bathe one foot in the water. This leads to the so-called stork walk. Wait until a cold pain drives you out of the water. Do not dry your feet afterwards, but put them wet into thick stockings and shoes and warm them up by running. In addition to the mechanical stimuli of the water on the skin, its properties are primarily used as an ideal therapy for heat and cold. Those who suffer from bladder or abdominal pain are not allowed to tread water. "

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4.29 km

View of the Talwächter from the Amselsee Bridge

Highlight • Viewpoint

The first guard, a rock formation that is actually called the “valley guard”, can be easily recognized from the bridge on the Pionierweg.

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4.62 km

Amselsee — View of the "Lokomotive"

Highlight • Lake

The Amselsee impresses with its romantic and hidden location on the edge of the spa Rathen. The Niederrathener rocks, which tower high above the Amselsee, offer a great backdrop to the Amselsee. In winter, the Amselsee is often visited by skaters.

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5.12 km

Rathen Trout Smokehouse

Highlight • Restaurant

Fresh smoked trout from the neighboring Amselgrundsee and excellent fish rolls. Gladly again!

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5.51 km

Rathen

Highlight • Settlement

The spa town of Rathen is a tourist magnet due to its unique location on the Elbe, the rock stage and the scenic attractions all around. From here you can reach, among other things, the Bastei, the Amselsee, the Schwedenlöcher, Gamrig, the Uttewalder Grund, the Schleifgrund. Or over the Hockstein down the brutal Wolfsschlucht into the beautiful Polenztal and up to the Brandbaude. There is something for everyone.

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Tip by

6.09 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

3.50 km

1.32 km

988 m

158 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

2.57 km

1.53 km

1.01 km

630 m

161 m

158 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (310 m)

Lowest point (110 m)

Weather

Sunday 16 August

19°C

13°C

90 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 27, 2025,Basteibrücke – Schwedenlöcher Runde von Oberrathen

A really beautiful tour that takes you past the most interesting hotspots: Bastei, Schwedenlöcher (highly recommended!), Amselsee

Showing Translation

May 14, 2023,Elbsandsteingebirge: Basteibrücke – Schwedenlöcher Runde von Rathen

Impressive landscape, unfortunately many people know. Better to come during the week and morning or evening. Otherwise definitely a highlight👍🌲🏰🌳🪨🥾

Showing Translation

August 15, 2023,Rathen Amselsee Schwedenlöcher Bastei ... und wieder hinab

It must have been more than four decades since I last reached the bastion through the Schwedenlöcher ... by the way, these Schwedenlöcher should more appropriately be called Schwedentreppen, because apart from great views of the wonderful rock world, the route has something in abundance (besides the tourists ), then these are natural and artificial gradients and you get a …

Showing Translation

May 29, 2023,Bastei ,Schwedenlöcher,Amselsee

Of course, before we started our journey home, we went to the Bastei today. At 9 am we started with the ferry and then dared to climb up to the Bastei. Had hoped that not so many were on the way, but unfortunately none. Despite everything, it is always very nice and a visit should not be missed. From the …

Showing Translation

October 2, 2023,Basteibrücke – Schwedenlöcher Runde von Kurort Rathen

I was afraid that it would be crowded at the Bastei because we had a long, sunny weekend and others also had the idea of taking a bridge day and driving to Saxon Switzerland.

However, I didn't expect it to be so full.

Showing Translation

July 8, 2024,Wandern zur Basteibrücke und zurück über die Schwedenlöcher

Today we left the bike behind and set off on foot. We wanted to see something in the area, so we went to the Bastei. According to komoot, the route was easy. Unfortunately, it didn't mention that there are a few thousand steps in between. There was a lot going on at the Bastei, despite it being Monday. There was …

Showing Translation

May 21, 2025,Bastei-Tour 🥾

Today, on the last day of our tour, we headed to the highlight of Saxon Switzerland, the Bastei. So we drove to the Oberrathen ferry landing. Upon arrival, we could already see the line waiting for the ferry. The challenging climb up the mountain to the Bastei, an old rock bridge located at an altitude of about 300 meters, was …

Showing Translation

October 10, 2022,🍂⛰️🍁 Elbsandsteingebirge 2: Bastei und Schwedenlöcher

The first hike in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains exceeded our expectations by far. The route followed Tour 4 from the "Hikeline Wanderführer Elbsandsteingebirge" to the Bastei, probably the most popular and oldest excursion destination in Saxon Switzerland, and through the Schwedenlochs, where the residents of the area found protection from the Swedes in the Thirty Years' War. Barely a few …

Showing Translation

August 3, 2020

Do you know where the Schwedenlöcher got their name? The name „Schwedenlöcher“ dates back to the Thirty Years' War, when the Swedes marched through the country. They had a reputation for destroying, plundering, and robbing everything. So, the inhabitants of the surrounding villages brought their belongings

Showing Translation

October 30, 2020

The tour begins at the train station in the health resort of Rathen, we take the ferry and walk through the town. At the pillar and numerous signposts, turn left towards the Bastei. Now it goes steadily upwards, keeping left at the next fork (blue line) and up the numerous stairs. In between there are

Translated by Google •

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Medieval Tour to the Rock Castle Neurathen and the Swedish Caves

Rathen Ferry

Felsenburg Neurathen (closed due to dilapidation)

Bastei Bridge

View of the Wehlsteine

Pavilion Viewpoint (Pavillonaussicht)

Schwedenlöcher

Mini Kneipp bath

View of the Talwächter from the Amselsee Bridge

Amselsee — View of the "Lokomotive"

Rathen Trout Smokehouse

Rathen

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