# The Bastei and its stone bridge over the Elbe What to do en Saxon Switzerland · Saxon Switzerland Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/things-to-do/bastei-and-bastei-bridge · Revisado: 2026-11-12 - Duración: 2 h - Temporada: All year, no opening hours - Para quién: All ages; from Rathen, steep steps Viewpoint · 1–3 h · Free · All year · The 1851 bridge between sandstone pinnacles, 194 m above the river What it is The Bastei is a group of sandstone pinnacles that overlook the Elbe between Rathen and Stadt Wehlen. It is the best-known image of Saxon Switzerland. The passage between the rocks is spanned by a 76.5-metre stone bridge built in 1851, which replaced a wooden one of 1824. From the viewpoints you see the river far below (the Berghotel restaurant, next door, is 194 metres above the Elbe), the plateaux of the Lilienstein and the Königstein and, at your feet, the village of Rathen. Next to the bridge are the remains of the Felsenburg Neurathen, the largest medieval rock castle in the area; because of renovation works it can now only be seen from the outside, with no reopening date. A new panoramic viewpoint opened in 2023. Getting there Without a car, the classic way is to climb from Kurort Rathen: the S1 S-Bahn from Dresden stops on the opposite bank, you cross the Elbe by ferry and climb on foot through the village and a path of steps and passes between rocks. The tourist office suggests several loops from Rathen of between 4.7 and 10 kilometres, and one through the Schwedenlöcher, a gorge with stairs, that leaves from Lohmen. By car you go up the Basteistraße: car park 1, at the start of the road, has a day rate and is about 3.5 kilometres' walk away; from 1 April to 31 October a shuttle covers that stretch. Car park 2 is closer and more expensive. Buses 237 and 254 also come. When to go The Bastei has no opening hours or entry fee. At weekends at midday it fills with groups; early in the morning or at the end of the afternoon it is much more pleasant to walk and the light is lovelier. In autumn the forest turns red; in winter the stairs can be icy. ## Cómo llegar y contacto - Coordenadas: 50.9617, 14.073 ## Cerca de aquí - [Berghotel Bastei](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/where-to-stay/berghotel-bastei), a 250 m - [Panoramarestaurant Bastei](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/where-to-eat/panoramarestaurant-bastei), a 250 m - [Königstein Fortress, on a sandstone plateau](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/things-to-do/konigstein-fortress), a 4.8 km - [Hotel Elbresidenz an der Therme Bad Schandau](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/where-to-stay/hotel-elbresidenz-an-der-therme), a 7.5 km - [Toskana Therme Bad Schandau, salt water with a view of the Elbe](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/things-to-do/toskana-therme-bad-schandau), a 7.7 km - [Camping & Pension Ostrauer Mühle](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/where-to-stay/camping-ostrauer-muehle), a 9.2 km - [Malerweg stage 4: Schrammsteine, Kuhstall and Lichtenhainer Wasserfall](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/things-to-do/malerweg-stage-4-schrammsteine), a 10.7 km - [Kirnitzschtal tram to the Lichtenhainer Wasserfall and the climb to the Kuhstall](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/things-to-do/kirnitzschtal-tram-and-kuhstall), a 12.4 km ## Consejos ### Climb from Rathen The ferry and the walk up are part of the visit. ### Check the notices before you go The tourist office publishes path closures and works. ### Combine it with Königstein The fortress is one S-Bahn stop from Rathen. ## Preguntas frecuentes ### How much does it cost to see the Bastei? Nothing. The bridge and the viewpoints are free and always open. ### Can you go into Neurathen Castle? Not at the moment: because of renovation works it can only be seen from outside. ### When are there fewer people? Early in the morning and at the end of the afternoon, especially on weekdays. ### How do I get there without a car? By S1 S-Bahn to Kurort Rathen, ferry and a walk up. Destino: [Saxon Switzerland](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland.md)