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On the way between two rivers: from the Elbe to the Polenz valley

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

On the way between two rivers: from the Elbe to the Polenz valley

Moderate

4.8

(2892)

9,053

hikers

On the way between two rivers: from the Elbe to the Polenz valley

03:38

12.8km

280m

Hiking

On this hike, you have the opportunity to explore several valuable, largely natural habitats between the Elbe and Polenz rivers.

The starting point is the S-Bahn stop in the spa town of Rathen or the parking lot on the left bank of the Elbe. After the ferry ride, we pass…

by Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz

Last updated: June 13, 2024

This route includes a ferry crossing

Tips

Includes ferry crossings

Check ferry timetable.

After 329 m for 97 m

After 12.4 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 …

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554 m

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 …

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948 m

Rathen Trout Smokehouse

Highlight • Restaurant

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

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1.31 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 …

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1.79 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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3.74 km

Historic salt lick stone (Salzlecke) in the Saxon Switzerland National Park

Highlight • Historical Site

A little laterally from the path lies this old hunting facility with explanatory sign. Historically and hunting interesting.

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5.26 km

Wolfsschlucht Gorge (Saxon Switzerland)

Highlight (Segment) • Gorge

Saxon Switzerland offers a variety of incredible great hiking opportunities.
I would recommend this place to everyone who loves nature and hiking.

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5.39 km

Hocksteinaussicht

Viewpoint

6.13 km

Pension & Gasthaus Polenztal

Stamp Stations

6.56 km

Polenztal Valley

Highlight (Segment) • Gorge

An eye opener along the poles, we were here in summer and enjoyed the coolness of the river.
The gorge is mostly in the shade.

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10.7 km

Gamrig viewpoint and sandstone rock formation

Highlight • Viewpoint

You can get to the Gamrig quite quickly, also suitable for inexperienced hikers. You should be sure-footed, as there are no railings on the plateau. So be careful with smaller children. However, the all-round view is terrific.

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11.0 km

Gamrig Cave

Highlight • Cave

Easy and quick to reach .. a couple of small wooden steps up and you're there ... for the little ones among us😁..a nice stopover for the treasure hunt..😎

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11.5 km

View of Honigstein, Lokomotive, and Gans from Waltersdorfer Berg

Highlight • Viewpoint

Anticipation for the upcoming experience increases

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12.8 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

8.03 km

2.05 km

1.47 km

598 m

379 m

158 m

105 m

Surfaces

6.46 km

2.99 km

1.93 km

1.08 km

185 m

133 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 (120 m)

Weather

Thursday 16 July

28°C

17°C

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Comments

April 7, 2026,Zu Hockstein und Gamrig

Today the weather was wonderful for hiking. However, due to the Easter holidays in Saxony, the train was very crowded, as was the ferry across the Elbe. But as soon as we turned into the Pionierweg after the Amselsee, we were almost alone. From the Hockstein, we could look out over Hohnstein Castle and town. We descended many stairs through …

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April 23, 2025,Sächsische Schweiz: Polenztal - Gamrig - Hockstein

We parked (free of charge) at the entrance to the Polenz Valley and set off. First, we walked flat along the Polenz River, then climbed the Gamrig. We enjoyed wonderful views of the Elbe, Lilienstein, and Königstein. Then we reached the spa town of Rathen and past Lake Amselsee, where we were practically alone again. After Lake Amselsee, we were …

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June 3, 2026,Sächsische Schweiz | Hockstein, Potenzial, Gamrig

On the 2nd day, we got off the bikes and drove to Rathen, crossed with the ferry (very relaxed during the week) and set off for the Hocksteinaussicht, looked back at the highlight of yesterday's stage (Burg Hohnstein) and made our way back to Rathen through the Polenztal. We also included the Gamrig for the first time. In all these …

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January 17, 2026,Zwischen Polenztal und Elbblick - die Gamrig-Runde 🥾

Today we went on a short hike from Rathen over the Gamrig, through the Polenztal valley, and over the Hockstein. However, we hadn't expected the trail to be so icy, which made it quite challenging in places. 😅
Overall, it was another lovely hike. 😊

Showing Translation

October 13, 2023,Rathen, Gamrig, Polenztal, Hockstein und Bastei

On the way there, 100m behind the last houses in Rathen: Where have all the people gone...?
On the way back to the bastion: Oh, there you are again (and a few more...)!
Sponge over it, with Garmig, Polenztal and Hockstein, we discovered a few new, beautiful spots in Saxony🇨🇭, wild nature and not overcrowded...
And since there is already …

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July 20, 2024,Rundwanderung Rathen - Hockstein - Polenztal - Gamrig

32 degrees and a cooling off in the lake would certainly have been more inviting... but the tour rewarded us with great views and sometimes with a little scent of the Baltic Sea, shady / semi-shady paths and a breeze was also OK 😊
Depending on how you plan the route, there are opportunities to stop for a break, you …

Showing Translation

July 6, 2022,Hockstein-Gamrig-Rathen-Hockstein

My first ascent to the gamrig. In Rathen you are entering a tourist stronghold! If you don't like that, avoid the place. Otherwise you meet rather few hikers.

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March 8, 2025,ESG: Rathen, Gamrig, Polenztal, Amselsee

After the very cobbled tours of the last few weeks, I wanted to go on another tour of Saxon Switzerland. In keeping with the start of the hiking season, the S-Bahn was of course packed with the beautiful weather and the ferry was also quite crowded. But after the classic branches towards Bastei and Amselsee, it became very quiet around …

Showing Translation

August 18, 2020

On this hike, you have the opportunity to explore several valuable, largely natural habitats between the Elbe and Polenz rivers.
﻿
The starting point is the S-Bahn stop in the spa town of Rathen or the parking lot on the left bank of the Elbe. After the ferry ride, we pass through the spa town of Rathen

Translated by Google •

June 16, 2025

The tour is suitable for children. At the Wolfsschlucht (Wolf Gorge), there are numerous staircases to climb and the path is quite narrow, so the tour is not suitable for dogs.
﻿
Starting and ending point: Kurort Rathen (train station)
﻿
Getting there: Take the S-Bahn (suburban train) to Kurort Rathen

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On the way between two rivers: from the Elbe to the Polenz valley

Rathen Ferry

Rathen

Rathen Trout Smokehouse

Amselsee — View of the "Lokomotive"

View of the Talwächter from the Amselsee Bridge

Historic salt lick stone (Salzlecke) in the Saxon Switzerland National Park

Wolfsschlucht Gorge (Saxon Switzerland)

Polenztal Valley

Gamrig viewpoint and sandstone rock formation

Gamrig Cave

View of Honigstein, Lokomotive, and Gans from Waltersdorfer Berg

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