Saxon Switzerland - majestic mountains

Saxon Switzerland is a region with a bizarre and intriguing landscape. It lies one hour south east of Dresden and got its name from the fact that its huge, smooth rocks and deep, narrow valleys and gorges seem far more like those of Switzerland than the rest of the scenery in former East Germany.

It's the home of the Saxon Switzerland national park, which protects more than 36,000 hectares of the Elbe sandstone mountains, created by the river Elbe over 100m years ago. It offers protection for a wild variety of animals, from otters to the rare eagle owl. The plant life includes rare ferns, lichens and mosses.

The region provides plenty of activities for active holidaymakers, ranging from hiking the trails to climbing the huge, steep rocks. A tradition has grown up amongst climbers of placing small artefacts such as diaries and cassettes on top of the mountains.

But the area is also significant from a historical standpoint. Nearby are the "Königstein" and "Neurathen" fortresses and the "Felsenbühne Rathen" - a theatre built into the rocks and the more sentimental visitor might prefer a romantic boat ride along the river Elbe, on one of the oldest paddle-steamers in the world.

National park wardens arrange guided hiking and boat tours through the national park's gorges.

Links:

Saxon Switzerland
Tourist-orientated website of Saxon Switzerland. All you need to organise your holiday. In English and German.

Saxonian tourist board
Information on each part of the region, local activities and suggestions on where to spend your nature holiday. In English and German.