Overview
An eight day, self-guided walking holiday along the Saxon Wine Trail in Germany, following the River Elbe and its vine-bedecked valley. Starting in the ancient and very pretty town of Pirna, and ending in Meissen, where Albrechtsburg castle and the cathedral take centre stage, this is a journey through ancient Saxony to explore its unique cultural heritage. Walking between 12-20km per day, as well as taking you to superb valley viewpoints and vineyards, this route also takes you through the historic city of Dresden. Not surprisingly, there is no shortage of opportunities to sample the region’s finest produce en route.
- Loschwitz
- Pirna
- Dresden
- Meissen
- Schloss Proschwitz
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Pirna
Arrive in Pirna, a town nestled in the upper Elbe Valley and known as the Gate to Saxon Switzerland. We recommend a walk along the River Elbe, or a paddle steamer trip if you have the time. Its historic centre is a beauty, with medieval alleys and elegant townhouses, and its market square was made world-famous by the Venetian painter Canaletto, who captured it on canvas in 1853.
- Accommodation: Hotel Elbparadies or similar in Pirna
- Upgraded accommodation: Pirn’scher Hof or similar in Pirna
Day 2: Pirna – Pillnitz | 12km
The first hike begins with a view of Schloss Sonnenstein and the historic centre of Pirna. After passing Winn’s vineyards and Graupa Hunting Lodge, join the trail above the Royal Vineyard with views of the vineyard church in Pillnitz and Schloss Pillnitz.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 4h, ↑120m ↓100m
- Accommodation: Pillnitzer Elbblick or similar in Pillnitz
- Upgraded accommodation: Schloss Hotel Pillnitz or similar in Pillnitz
Day 3: Pillnitz – Dresden | 12km
From Pillnitz, hike via Wachwitz to Loschwitz, which has an impressive and famous steel bridge, Blaues Wunder. Take in the view of the Old Town of Dresden, as you walk past Elbe castles en route to Neustadt on the right side of the Elbe. There is plenty to see in both Dresden and Neustadt, including various museums, Frauenkirche Cathedral, Zwinger Palace and Semper Opera House.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 4h, ↑165m ↓189m
- Accommodation: Hotel Martha or similar in Dresden
- Upgraded accommodation: Hotel Bülow Residenz or similar in Dresden
Day 4: Dresden – Radebeul | 15km
We recommend a short tram ride through Dresden before starting your day’s walk through the Junge Heide (city centre forest) to Radebeul. Passing Bennoschlösschen, the oldest surviving manor house in the district of Rabedeul and half-timbered houses. Hike to Spitzhaus, the oldest summerhouse in the area, dating back to 1622, with a stunning view of the Elbe Valley. Continue up Spitzhaus steps and on to Hoflössnitz Winery. Once in Radebeul, take time to explore the museum dedicated to Karl May, or take the narrow gauge railway to the castle of Moritzburg.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 5h, ↑225m ↓207m
- Accommodation: Hotel Goldener Anker or similar in Radebeul
- Upgraded accommodation: Radisson Blu Park Hotel or similar in Radebeul
Day 5: Radebeul – Weinböhla | 15km
The start of today’s walk passes wine producers’ houses and vineyards in the Niederlössnitz District before continuing on to the grounds of Schloss Wackerbarth. Continue on via Coswig to Weinböhla, with its 25 hectares of vine-covered slopes, ancient towers and stunning vineyards. If you’ve chosen the upgraded hotel option, you have an included transfer back to Radebeul by train.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 4.5h, ↑254m ↓210m
- Accommodation: Laubenschlösschen Weinböhla or similar in Weinböhla
- Upgraded accommodation: Radisson Blu Park Hotel or similar in Radebeul
Day 6: Weinböhla – Meissen | 19km
If you choose the upgraded hotel option, you have a transfer by train from Redebeul back to Weinböhla. If you spent the night in Weinböhla, today’s hike starts at the Weinböhlaer Ratsweinberg, the council vineyard of the Weinböhla wine-growing community. After passing Schloss Oberau, follow the trail into the heart of the Meissen Spaar Mountains. From Boselspitze viewpoint continue to Sörnewitz and take advantage of the many opportunities to stop for refreshments there before arriving in Meissen. Meissen is a town famous for porcelain. You can learn more about this craft at the Porcelain Museum, and we also recommend visiting its 13th-century cathedral or Albrechtsburg.
- Walking for the day: 19km, 6h ↑183m ↓240m
- Accommodation: Hotel Knorre or similar in Meissen
- Upgraded accommodation: Dorint Parkhotel Meissen or similar in Meissen
Day 7: Meissen – Diesbar-Seusslitz area | 16km
Take some time to explore or take a short tour of Meissen before hiking along the River Elbe to Schloss Proschwitz. After a walk through the castle park, walk past vineyards to Zadel. Continue through Golk Forest as far as Schloss Seusslitz. We recommend bringing your tour of the Saxon Wine Trail to a close with some local wine before returning to Meissen by bus or by steamboat across the River Elbe.
- Walking for the day: 16km, 5h, ↑238m ↓231m
- Accommodation: Hotel Knorre or similar in Meissen
- Upgraded accommodation: Dorint Parkhotel Meissen or similar in Meissen
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms. Please note that, in Germany, it is common practice for hotels and other accommodations to join twin beds together to make a double, with separate linen for each person. If you prefer to opt for twin beds, we will happily request this at time of booking, however they can’t always be guaranteed.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Elbparadies (Pirna)
- Pillnitzer Elbblick (Pillnitz)
- Hotel Martha (Dresden)
- Hotel Goldener Anker (Radebeul)
- Laubenschlösschen Weinböhla (Weinböhla)
- Hotel Knorre (Meissen)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded hotels
- Pirn’scher Hof (Pirna)
- Schloss Hotel Pillnitz (Pillnitz)
- Hotel Bülow Residenz (Dresden)
- Radisson Blu Park Hotel (Radebeul)
- Dorint Parkhotel Meissen (Meissen)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or restaurants in the village near your hotel.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated moderate and is suitable for more regular hikers who are generally fit. Daily distances range from 12-20km or 5-6h per walking day (read more about difficulty grades). The trails are very well maintained and waymarked.
We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from the beginning of April until the end of October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date in the season, please indicate desired beginning date when booking.
Although it’s well known for city breaks, Oktoberfest and Christmas markets, Germany’s multi-seasonal treats stretch far beyond these clichés. Germany’s climate is typically northern European, and you can read more about temperatures, rainfall and events in our blog, Best time to go to Germany.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival airport for this holiday is Dresden Airport (DRS) airport.
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Germany without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with railway stations in Pirna and Meissen. For more details, see the national rail operator DB or use the Omio planner above
- If you arrive at Dresden Airport, take the S2 airport (rail) shuttle, to Dresden main station/Pirna (15-20mins). For more details, see the national rail operator DB or use the Omio planner above
- From Meißen there are regular trains services to Dresden main station from were you can take the rail shuttle to Dresden airport. For more details, see the national rail operator DB or use the Omio planner above
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all walking days (one bag per person, max 20kg)
- Bus ticket on day seven
- 24/7 Phone assistance by our local office/representative
- Detailed road notes and maps (one pack per room)
- Transfer back to Radebeul on day 5 and train tickets to Weinböhla on day 6 (only when booking upgraded hotels)
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Other public transport
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Optional steamboat ticket on day seven
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights in Pirna and Dresden or along the route
