Germany Bastei and Elbsandsteingebirge

The „Sächsische Schweiz“: A good start for the climb up into the „Elbsandsteingebirge“ is 01824 Rathen , for example starting from “Berghotel Bastei”. Situated round about 35 kilometers from the city of “Dresden” Rathen is a small village in the free state of Saxonia, situated underneath of the famous sandstone rocks. It takes about 1 hour on easily manageable paths to reach the top of a fabulous region created by erosion of structures formed during the cretaceous period by the forerunner of the today river “Elbe” which broke through that sandstone barrier way later. The “Bastei“ (305 m above sea level) is a rock formation with a viewing platform. The heads of the rock columns are connected so that a wide area can be reached.
Nearby: The huge fortress „Königstein“, 01824 Königstein (coordinates: 50° 55′ 8″ N, 14° 3′ 24″ E), is one of the biggest hilltop fortresses in Europe, mentioned the first time 1241 as a frontier fortification against the kingdom of Bohemiae. Lateron it was improved step by step and became an outstanding example of German fortification construction and military history. By it’s high and insurmountable walls, the highly fortified entrance and the unlimited clear field of fire it could not be conquered until the 20th century. This fortress still is in an excellent condition and provides marvelous views over the Elbe-sinuosity and a wide landscape.

Coordinates: 50° 57′ N, 14° 5′ E
Berghotel Bastei” , Basteistraße, 01847 Lohmen/Bastei