Bastei Bridge, Saxon Switzerland
Basteibrücke
A stone bridge spanning between odd rock pinnacles in the Elbe sandstone mountains, about 190 meters above the Elbe. It is the signature view of Saxon Switzerland National Park.
Saxon Switzerland is a sandstone mountain region along the Elbe, about 30 km southeast of Dresden. Erosion has carved the sandstone into rows of stone pillars and deep gorges. Swiss painters of the 19th century named it because its scenery reminded them of home. Bastei is the most famous group of viewing rocks. The seven-arch Bastei Bridge, a sandstone bridge built in 1851, connects steep rock peaks. From the bridge and surrounding lookouts, you can look down on a large bend in the Elbe, the riverside town of Rathen, and the distant table mountains. The bridge and main lookouts are free. The Neurathen Rock Castle ruins (Felsenburg Neurathen) behind the bridge charge a small admission fee. Getting there: take the S1 S-Bahn from Dresden for about 35 minutes to the Kurort Rathen station, then take a ferry across the Elbe and hike up the trail for about 30–40 minutes (it is steep). Alternatively, take a bus or drive to the Bastei parking lot, then walk about 10 minutes. Weekends in peak season are crowded, so arrive early. It can be combined with the Königstein Fortress for a day trip.
Opening hours
Open all day; Xinlateng Rock Fortress open during the day
Nearby sights
- Felsenbühne Rathen
- Schwedenlöcher & Amselsee
- Lilienstein
- Hohnstein Castle
- Königstein Fortress
- Brand Viewpoint
- Pfaffenstein & Barbarine
- Stolpen Castle