When I was planning my trip to Dresden, I knew a visit to the Bastei Bridge (Basteibrücke) had to be on the itinerary. But I’ll be honest, figuring out how to travel there felt a bit overwhelming. Every source online seemed to offer a different route, and I couldn’t find the clear, step-by-step guide I was hoping for.
So, I decided to make one myself! In this guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to visit the Bastei Bridge from Dresden, complete with tips, routes, and everything you need to know to make your visit smooth and stress-free.
Table of contents
- How to visit the Bastei Bridge from Dresden: An epic day trip to Saxon Switzerland
- All about the Bastei Bridge
- All about Saxon Switzerland
- Getting to Saxon-Switzerland National Park
- Hiking up to the Bastei Bridge
- Things to know before hiking in Saxon Switzerland
- What to do at the Bastei Bridge
- Summary
- Related posts
From how to get there to the best hiking routes and scenic stops along the way, here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Bastei Bridge!
How to visit the Bastei Bridge from Dresden: An epic day trip to Saxon Switzerland
What you need to know
- How high is Bastei Bridge? The bridge is 305m above sea level.
- How old is Bastei Bridge? Over 200 years old! The original bridge was built in 1824 however the bridge that is currently in place was built in 1851.
- Why was the Bastei Bridge built? It was built to incrase tourist access across either side of the mountain. Visitors could then more eaily access Neurathen Castle.
- Is Bastei Bridge worth visiting? 100% yes! Absolutley!
- Do you have to pay to see the Bastei Bridge? No, it’s compeltley free to visit.
All about the Bastei Bridge
The Bastei rocks refers to the incredible rock formations in the Elbe Sandstone mountains which the Bastei Bridge sits in. Standing nearly 200 metres above the Elbe River, they’re considered one of Germany’s most famous natural landmarks. As tourism to the area grew in the early 19th century, a wooden bridge was constructed in 1824 to connect the jagged rocks. This was later replaced in 1851 by the sandstone bridge you see today.
All about Saxon Switzerland
The Bastei Bridge sits within Saxon Switzerland National Park, a protected area covering around 93.5 square kilometres. Some parts of the park even stretch right up to the Czech Republic border. The wider Saxon Switzerland region is much larger, spanning an impressive 710 square kilometres. It’s also the only non-alpine rock national park in Germany, with its highest peak being Großer Winterberg, standing at 556 metres.
You can check out this website for more information.
Rules for visiting Saxon Switzerland National Park
Saxon Switzerland is a beautiful area of nature. In order to preserve and protect it as well as to ensure your safety there are rules in place. Here’s what you need to know:
- Stick to the marked hiking trails. If a path is closed or blocked off, don’t try to enter, it’s closed for a reason.
- No smoking or open fires are allowed anywhere in the national park.
- Drones are not permitted in any area of the park.
- Dogs are welcome, but they must be kept on a lead at all times.
- Leave nature as you found it. Picking plants, berries, or mushrooms is not allowed.
- Only park in designated areas, parking outside of official car parks is prohibited.
- Wild camping is not allowed, so be sure to plan your stay accordingly.
Getting to Saxon-Switzerland National Park
There’s a lot of different ways to visit the Bastei Bridge from Dresden, I found it super confusing when I was trying to plan my trip. Turns out it’s actually incredibly straight forward if you’re coming straight from Dresden! Here’s how to get there, step by step:
By public transport directly to the Bastei Bridge
If you’d rather skip the hike, it’s totally possible to reach the Bastei Bridge directly by public transport.
- Hop on the S1 train (towards Bad Schandau) or the S2 train (towards Pirna) and get off at Pirna, the journey takes around 20–30 minutes, depending on your starting point.
- Right outside Pirna station, you’ll find the Pirna ZOB (Central Bus Station). From there, catch bus 237 (towards Sebnitz) and ride it to the Bastei stop, this leg takes about 20 minutes.
- The bus brings you right up to the Bastei Bridge visitors area.
By public transport to Rathen
- From Dresden take the S1 train (to Bad Schandau) and get off at Kurort Rathen. If you start your journey at Dresden Hauptbahnhof (Central Station) this is around a 45 minute journey.
- Turn right out of the station and follow along the Elbweg Road towards the River Elbe. Don’t worry, this is only a 2 minute walk and it’s pretty much the only way you can go. Chances are there’s also other people heading the same way so you can’t get lost!
- There’s a small ferry which takes people back and forth acrosss the river, head towards that and grab a ticket.
- The ferry runs every 10 minutes from 4:30 am till midnight on weekday and from 5:30 am till midnight on weekends and holidays.
- Tickets cost €1.50 for an adult single journey and €3.00 for an adult return journey
- Once across the river there are loads of signposts and maps to direct you around the national park and towards the Bastei Bridge. It’s really easy to find your way!
By car
Visiting the Bastei Bridge from Dresden by car is also straightforward, with a few parking options depending on whether you’re up for a hike or want to head straight to the viewpoint.
- Bastei Parking Lot – This one’s located right next to the Bastei Bridge, perfect if you’d rather skip the hike. It’s a pay-and-display car park and, as you’d expect from the location, a little pricier.
- Bastei Park and Ride – From here, you can either catch a shuttle bus up to the bridge or walk. The walk is about 3.5 km and a great way to take in the surrounding nature.
- Parkplatz Oberrathen – This parking lot is right by the train station mentioned above in Bad Schandau if you’re visiting by train. From here, take the ferry across the Elbe and follow the hiking trail up to the Bastei Bridge.
Hiking up to the Bastei Bridge
Once you’re in Saxon-Switzerland National Park getting to the Bastei Bridge is really easy. The routes are really well signposted at every junction. Basically, if you’re heading uphill and are out of breath, you’re probably heading in the right direction!
It’s probably the most beautiful hike I’ve ever done, the scenery and surrounding nature is just unreal. The path can get a little steep in places and there are lots of steps but it’s certainly a doable hike for the majority of people and I passed people of all ages on my way up and down.
Bastei Bridge hiking route
This is the route I followed to reach the Bastei Bridge, starting in Rathen, but since it’s essentially a big loop, you could just as easily begin at the bridge itself. The trail is fully signposted and takes around 1 hour 30 minutes to complete at a steady pace.
That said, if you’re stopping for food, breaks, or, let’s be honest, to take photos at all the incredible viewpoints along the way (and you absolutely should), it’ll take a bit longer. I’ve included a Bastei Bridge map of the route as well as some highlight spots below!
Neurathen Castle
Just a stone’s throw from the Bastei, you’ll find the ruins of Neurathen Castle, a former medieval rock castle. While much of the original structure no longer stands, an open air museum now occupies the site, offering a glimpse into its past.
Wehlsteinaussicht – Wehlstein viewpoint
If you’re walking from the Bastei Bridge Parking Lot towards the bridge, keep an eye out just before you reach the hotel and restaurant there’s a fantastic lookout point here. This had some of my favourite views of the rock formations.
Pavillionaussicht – Pavillion viewpoint
The Pavillion viewpoint is on the opposite side of the rock formations to the Wehlstein viewpoint and offers more unreal views. This one is further out from the Bastei Bridge itself so has the advantage of being a little quieter.
Amselfall – Amsel Falls
With a closed-down inn and water cascading over the entrance of a collapsed cave, Amsel Falls feels like something straight out of an adventure novel. The falls themselves might not be the most dramatic, but the setting, and the story of how it was once a thriving tourist spot, gives the whole place an intriguing and almost mysterious atmosphere.
Amselsee – Amsel Lake
Amselsee has the perfect setting, a beautiful lake surrouned by forest and backdropped by the incredible rock formations. It was incredibly peaceful when I visited but it the summer months it comes alive a bit more with boating on the water and refreshment kiosks being open.
Things to know before hiking in Saxon Switzerland
While we’re not exactly scaling Everest to reach the Bastei Bridge, it’s definitely more than just a leisurely stroll through the park. Here are a few handy tips to know before you go:
- Clothing – Lightweight and breathable is the way to go. Even though I visited in cooler weather, I warmed up quickly on the uphill sections.
- Footwear – A sturdy pair of walking shoes or hiking boots is essential. Some of the inclines are fairly steep, and in places, you’ll be walking directly over rocks.
- Water – Don’t forget to bring a water bottle—especially on warmer days. Staying hydrated makes all the difference.
- Food – There are a couple of small food stands near the Bastei Bridge, but options are limited. I’d always recommend packing your own snacks or lunch. Not only will it save you money, but you can also choose the perfect picnic spot with a view!
- Mountain rescue service – Just in case: the local mountain rescue service number is +49 35024 70447. It’s always good to be prepared.
What to do at the Bastei Bridge
Once you reach the Bastei Bridge itself there are a few other buildngs around there too making it a bit of a touristy spot. Here’s what you’ll find up there:
- Toilets – I was so desperate for the toilet by the time I’d reached the top I’m suprised there wasn’t a beam of light shining down over this building. Yes, there are toilets here!
- Panoramarestaurant Bastei – A restraurant with, you guess it, panorama views. It’s a little more upscale and has beautiful views of the Elbe below.
- Berg Hotel – A hotel and wellness spa, this is the ultimate place to stop if you’re looking to enjoy Saxon Switzerland to the fullest.
- Panorama Snackbar – A small hut offering drinks and snacks.
- Gift shop – A teeny tiny gift shop with all the usual trinkets and postcards you excpect from these places.
Summary
Honestley I could sit and write pages and pages about how much I loved visiting the Bastei Bridge and Saxon Swtizerland. It’s really one of the most incredible day trips I’ve ever been on and I can’t recommend visiting enough if you’re nearby!
