Saxon Switzerland, Germany

Saxon Switzerland is a hilly climbing area and national park around the Elbe valley south-east of Dresden in Saxony, Germany. Together with the Bohemian Switzerland in the Czech Republic it forms the Elbe Sandstone Mountains. Saxon Switzerland alone has some 1,000 climbing peaks, as well as several hollows. The area is popular with Dresden locals and international climbers.

The mountain range was created after the sea retreated and left sandstone as the remains. It was once a wild area, known for robbers and hard to conquer strongholds. Many of those still remain and can be visited. The most impressive is certainly the fortress of Königstein that was used for centuries as jail for high-ranking prisoners.

Things to See & Do

* Bastei and Neurathen Castle
* Konigstein Fortress
* Bastei bridge
* Saxon Switzerland National Park
* Hiking

General Information

Cruise Season – March to Dec
Currency – Euro (€) (EUR)
Language – German
Electricity – 2 round pins European style
Time - GMT/UTC plus one hour
International Country Telephone Code – + 49

Port Location – The Port at Saxon is located on the Elbe river.

Travel Links – Saxon is best accessible by train from Dresden. Look for train line S1, direction "Bad Schandau". The closest station is located in the town of Rathen, it is then a ferry ride across the Elbe River to start of the walking track up to the main lookout location.