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Großer Zschand und Altes Zeughaus – hike
The circuit consists of two loops that meet at the Nationalpark-Informationsstelle Zeughaus. First, the route follows the Kirnitzsch southwards; after about 1.4 kilometres you cross the stream and climb up via the Dreisteigensteig. The path then leads into the Großer Zschand, the longest dry valley in Saxon Switzerland, whose edges are flanked by the rock spires of the Thorwalder Turm and the Thorwalder Wächter. You return to the starting point via Grünling. Along the way you will pass the Buschmühle, which was already mentioned in the 16th century and served as a filming location for the screen adaptation of Bernhard Schlink's novel.
Tip: Full-day tour with few options for shortcuts – please bring food and water. Parts of the route lie within the core zone of the national park, where walkers must strictly stay on the paths and open fires are prohibited.
- Duration
- approx. 4.2 h
- Length
- 14.1 km
- Type
- Circular walk
- Area
- Elbe Sandstone Mountains
What to expect
- Rocks and caves
- History along the way
- in the national park
- Forest, moor and plants
- quiet
- challenging
- Streams, waterfalls or lakes
Along the way
- Parkplatz Zum Thorwald, Kirnitzschtal
- Buschmühle, Kirnitzschtal
- Zeughaus, Großer Zschand
- Großer Zschand, Bad Schandau
- Grünling, Bad Schandau
Please take a hiking map with you and stay on the marked paths in the national park.
History along the way
As of: 2026-10-01
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