Saxon Switzerland National Park is located near Dresden. A half hour drive through the picturesque countryside on a commuter train - and you find yourself surrounded by the Elbe sandstone mountains. The territory of the park belongs to Germany, and the name was given to it because of the fabulous landscape resembling the mountains of Switzerland.
Saxon Switzerland National Park (Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz)
Saxon Switzerland National Park (Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz) located near Dresden. A half hour drive through the picturesque countryside on a commuter train - and you find yourself surrounded by the Elbe sandstone mountains. The territory of the park belongs to Germany, and the name was given to it because of the fabulous landscape resembling the mountains of Switzerland.
The majestic natural "sculptures" are formed by the erosive destruction of ancient sandstone rocks. For millennia, streams of water and prevailing winds have created bizarre figures of stone. At the place of the mountain range, the sea once splashed, and today's peaks were at the bottom. After the Cretaceous, the sea receded and exposed cliffs with a fanciful landscape, narrow valleys and gloomy gorges.
In the 20th century, the authorities had to limit the uncontrolled influx of tourists besieging the Elbe Mountains. A nature reserve was created with restricted areas, access to which was completely prohibited.
Bastei Observation Deck (Bastei)
Rare plants grow in the Sächsische Schweiz National Park. In the eastern, uninhabited part of the conservation area, various representatives of the fauna live, including rare species: black stork, kingfisher, dormouse, marten and otter.
Hiking, hiking and cycling trails are open for visitors. On the slopes uphill are observation platforms from where you can admire stunning views and photograph the fabulous scenery of the natural park. Most tourists climb the road to the rock massif Bastei (mountain platform-fortress, surrounded by protective stone railings). The main attraction of these places is the most beautiful Bastei Bridge (Basteibrücke) 75 m long, passing through the gorge Mardertelle
Mountain climbing is limited - you can climb only some peaks. Porous sandstone rocks are vulnerable and prone to intense destruction. Climbing in these mountains is subject to special rules that allow most types of climbing equipment to be used only for insurance. To all the "tourist" peaks of the road and stairs laid in advance. Safety hooks were driven into the rocks in advance so that amateur climbers did not drive anything into them.
Bastei Bridge (Basteibrücke)
Through Saxon Switzerland flows Elba. Boats and small motor ships, ancient wheeled steamers carry people along the winding riverbed of the river. From the water you can see Elbe Mountains in the most magnificent foreshortening - in all their height. The highest peak of the massif is the mountain Grosse Winterberg.
Unique tram line - Kirnitzschtalbahn
A unique tram line was created to transport people through the local forest - Kirnitzschtalbahn. The starting point of the route is in the town Bad Schandau. A monorail track with several tracks was laid through the valley of the Kirnich River. Since 1898, the tram ran from the city park to Lichtenhain Falls (Lichtenhainer Wasserfall). Several floods (the last in 2010) eroded the paths and damaged the contact network. Now the cars go on a shortened route with a length of about 7 km. The road runs along the river, past picturesque cliffs and a few half-timbered houses.
Lichtenhainer Wasserfall
Tourists now have to walk to the Lichtenhain Falls. Near the waterfall there is a small restaurant. From here a network of walking paths diverges. They are laid in a forest with tall pine trees and reddish rocky soil, almost devoid of grass.
Fort Stolpen (Burg Stolpen)
Here are some noteworthy objects located near the waterfall. The miracle of the XII century - Fort Stolpen (Burg Stolpen)carved into basalt rock. At one time he was the residence of the Elector, served as a prison. In this castle is the deepest mountain well in the world. It was pierced for 22 years.
Königstein Fortress
Königstein Fortress (Königstein) (1233), surrounded by a 40-meter wall, built at an altitude of 240 m above the banks of the Elbe. The total area of the citadel is 9.5 hectares. This fortress was also a prison for a long time, it was called the "Saxon Bastille".
Rock Gate Kushtall (Kuhstall)
Rock gate Kustal (Kuhstall) with the remains of a medieval fortress. The opening in the rocks of 11-meter height, formed by the Elbe.
The most famous route of Saxon Switzerland is considered The Artists Trail (Malerweg). Its length is 112 km. Along the "Trails" are all the main attractions of the national park.
Bastai
Bastai
Saxon Switzerland (Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz) Deutschland
nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de
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