Kirnitzschtal tram to the Lichtenhainer Wasserfall and the climb to the Kuhstall

What it is

The Kirnitzschtalbahn is a narrow-gauge tram that leaves Bad Schandau and runs for about eight kilometres up the Kirnitzsch valley, a forest river between sandstone walls, to the Lichtenhainer Wasserfall, a small waterfall with an inn. It has run since 1898. The journey takes about 30 minutes and stops at the Ostrauer Mühle, the Mittelndorfer Mühle and other points in the valley where trails begin. From the last stop, a forest path marked with a red dot climbs in about 30 minutes to the Kuhstall, the largest rock arch in Saxon Switzerland, at 336 metres above sea level. Next to the arch there is a stairway between rocks, the Himmelsleiter, and the Bergwirtschaft Kuhstall, a mountain inn.

How it works

You take the tram in Bad Schandau, next to the spa park. In summer (28 March to 1 November 2026) it leaves every half hour; in winter, 2 November to 25 March 2027, there is a reduced timetable that the company publishes as a PDF. A single ticket costs €7 (€3.50 concession), the day ticket €10 (€5) and the family day ticket €25, for two adults and up to four schoolchildren under 15. Children not yet at school travel free with an adult; a dog pays €3.50. If you are going to get on and off at several stops, the day ticket pays off. With the guest card of many accommodations in the area, transport on the VVO network is free: ask whether the tram is included in yours.

The walk to the Kuhstall

From the Lichtenhainer Wasserfall stop it is a 30-minute climb through forest; you can also get there in 25 from the Beuthenfall stop. Wear medium or hiking footwear. At the top, the Kuhstall stairway and the Himmelsleiter, a metal stairway between rocks, are the stretch older children like best; with a dog or if you are afraid of heights, the back path of the Kuhstall avoids them. Return the same way or follow the Malerweg if you are prepared.