Conquering the Konigstein Fortress

Hiking trails & Routes

Germany

Saxony

Saxon Switzerland

Conquering the Konigstein Fortress

Moderate

4.7

(966)

3,268

hikers

Conquering the Konigstein Fortress

03:32

11.6km

380m

Hiking

The Königstein Fortress is one of the classic excursion destinations in Saxon Switzerland, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. We want to conquer the fortress, which was once considered impregnable, on foot. This hike offers the opportunity to combine a tour of the Königstein Fortress and immersion in its 800-year history with a varied hike.

by Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz

Last updated: June 13, 2024

Tips

Includes movable bridges

Check opening times.

After 3.89 km for 3 m

After 5.98 km for 3 m

After 6.85 km for 3 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

2.43 km

Abratzky Chimney

Highlight • Climb

The Abratzky chimney, named after the chimney sweep Sebastian Abratzky, is a wide crevice on the east side of the high fortress wall. Abratzky had come to Königstein on his wandering in 1848. Since he was supposed to pay the entrance fee for the planned tour of the fortress, the 17-year-old, who was looking for work, decided to climb the Königstein. After an hour and a half he had climbed the rock chimney on the outer wall, where he was immediately arrested by guards. Brought to the commandant, he was interrogated and then arrested.

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Tip by

3.51 km

Friedrichsburg Tower with panoramic view of the Elbe Valley

Highlight • Monument

With this fortress, which was impregnable at the time, master builder Vauban created a masterpiece.
Another fortress of similar size, also impregnable, he built in
Besançon/ France.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.31 km

Königsnase — View of the Lilienstein

Highlight • Viewpoint

Incredible views, you have to enjoy.

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Tip by

6.25 km

Königstein Fortress

Highlight • Castle

Magnificent view over the Saxon Switzerland.

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Tip by

11.6 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.67 km

4.28 km

1.36 km

610 m

404 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

4.05 km

3.15 km

2.54 km

1.01 km

415 m

347 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (350 m)

Lowest point (120 m)

Weather

Sunday 4 October

21°C

8°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 0.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

June 13, 2025,Festung Königstein

👑 Königstein (Saxon Switzerland) is a town in southeastern Saxony on the Elbe River. The Königstein Fortress is located on the hill of the same name! The fortress stands on a sandstone cliff above the Elbe Valley.

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June 23, 2024,🥾 Die Eroberung der Festung Königstein 🏰 👑

The fortress has been conquered, it was a path, no idea how many steps. My phone says 91 floors. I would never have thought that the fortress was so huge. I could have taken more photos, I haven't seen everything yet.

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October 23, 2024,Die Eroberung der Festung Königstein

Great route. We hiked with two dogs. All paths and steps were manageable without any problems.

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April 17, 2025,Elbsandsteingebirge. Drei Runden um die Festung Königstein

Two days on the Elbe. Today we've set out to walk one of the largest fortifications in Europe. We're circling the complex three times. That makes sense. From the outside in. Let's go.

Route 1 begins at the Königstein parking garage, then through beautiful deciduous forest down to the Elbe and into the town, along the Malerweg, then back up …

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October 27, 2022,Es ist nicht der Weg den man bezwingt, man bezwingt sich selbst! Also passende Schuhe an und los geht's!

Sorry out there, I took a lot of photos! Apparently there is only one left! 🙈🤷‍♂️🤔

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May 11, 2023,Festung Königstein 🥰

Today I spontaneously went to Königstein Fortress, I personally love this place and I go there once a year.

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December 14, 2024,Wanderung --> zum "Historischer Weihnachtsmarkt" auf der Festung Königstein in der sächsischen Schweiz

The Königstein Fortress is one of the largest mountain fortresses in Europe. It is located in the middle of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains on the table mountain of the same name above the town of Königstein on the left bank of the Elbe in the Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains district (Saxony).

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May 22, 2024,Festung Königstein mit Auf- und Abstieg

Since the weather forecast for today was not good for hiking, we decided to take a short tour to the Königstein Fortress. A steep, sweaty climb, about five hours exploring every corner of the fortress, and a 1 1/2 hour guided tour into the underground world of the fortress, which included a visit to the former GDR nuclear bunker. Very …

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March 2, 2021

The Königstein Fortress is one of the classic excursion destinations in Saxon Switzerland, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year. We want to conquer the fortress, which was once considered impregnable, on foot. This hike offers the opportunity to combine

Translated by Google •

March 2, 2021

Coming from Königstein train station or from the parking lot, we first pass the pedestrian traffic lights over the busy B 172. From Reissiger Platz (bus stops) we walk past the Königstein church. Our ascent on the Harald-Schurz-Weg begins behind the church. The path is signposted with the "blue line

Translated by Google •