Bastei

Bastei (Bastion) is the most beautiful place in the Saxon Switzerland National Park. This are sandstone cliffs that form bizarre configurations. Bastei is one of the top tourist destinations in Saxony and for hundreds of years attract travelers and artists. Caspar David Friedrich wrote here famous painting Felsenschlucht.


You can get here in two ways. Simple option - by car to the Berghotel Bastei. Another way - on the train S1 to Kurort Rathen. Bastei is already seen at the top.


Next on the ferry across the Elbe.




Pass through the town of Rathen and look for a left turn, the path up to the Bastei. This route of 487 steps was built in 1814.


The way up takes about 20 minutes. Near the beginning of the stairs local residents created a small garden with little wooden animals.


Morning is the best time to visit Bastei, the earlier the better. Sun will be at the right spot of the sky and there will be no tourists as this place is quite popular during the day.  At the top you will see a ticket window, but it's only for the area with the rocky fortress Neurathen and Bastei has free entrance.








The most interesting object in Bastai is an old bridge, built 200 years ago. At first it was wooden and in 1851 appeared the modern one, made of sandstone.








There are several viewing platforms on the territory offering nice views of the River Elbe.




Königstein fortress is also visible.


Hiking route Road of Artists is passing through Bastei (http://www.malerweg.de/).

Getting there: By S1 train from Dresden to Kurort Rathen.