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

What to do en Saxon Switzerland · Saxon Switzerland

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/things-to-do/kirnitzschtal-tram-and-kuhstall · Revisado: 2026-11-12

- Desde: 7 € per journey, adult
- Duración: 3 h 30
- Temporada: All year; summer timetable from 28 March to 1 November 2026, every 30 minutes
- Para quién: Families; the final stretch to the arch has steps

Tram and walk · 3–4 h · From €7 · All year · An 1898 tram through the valley and 30 minutes of forest to the largest rock arch in the area

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.

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Coordenadas: 50.9294, 14.2427

## Cerca de aquí

- [Bergwirtschaft Kuhstall](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/where-to-eat/bergwirtschaft-kuhstall), a 1.0 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 3.3 km
- [Camping & Pension Ostrauer Mühle](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/where-to-stay/camping-ostrauer-muehle), a 3.4 km
- [Introduction to climbing on Elbe sandstone, from Ottendorf](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/things-to-do/sandstone-climbing-intro), a 3.7 km
- [Gasthof zur Mühle, Schmilka](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/where-to-eat/gasthof-zur-muhle-schmilka), a 4.3 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 6.2 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 6.4 km
- [The Bastei and its stone bridge over the Elbe](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland/things-to-do/bastei-and-bastei-bridge), a 12.4 km

## Consejos

### Get the day ticket
With two journeys and an intermediate stop it already pays off.

### Check the winter timetable
From November to March there are fewer trams.

### Eat at the top
The Bergwirtschaft Kuhstall is next to the arch; in winter it opens only at weekends and on public holidays.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How much does the Kirnitzschtal tram cost?
€7 per journey, €10 for the day ticket and €25 for the family day ticket.

### How long does it take to the Lichtenhainer Wasserfall?
About 30 minutes from Bad Schandau.

### Is it hard to climb up to the Kuhstall?
No: 30 minutes of climbing through forest. The stairs at the top are optional.

### Does it run in winter?
Yes, on the winter timetable with fewer services.

Destino: [Saxon Switzerland](https://www.geocalia.com/en/germany/saxony/saxon-switzerland.md)