Discovering the Beauty of Saxony: A hiking adventure along the Elbe river.

Our vacation in Saxony, Germany began with a hike to the 415-metre-high Lilienstein. We used the ferry to cross the Elbe, which would become a familiar mode of transportation throughout our trip. The climb was challenging at first, but the view from the top was magnificent.

On the second day, we descended to the bank of the Elbe and walked to the village of Rathen. We passed through the narrow gorge of Schwedenlöcher and crossed a bridge connecting the rock pillars of the Bastei view to the plateau. We finished the day in Wehl en and enjoyed some delicious local cake. We went back to Bad Schandau by train.

On the third day, we traveled by train to the center of Königstein and climbed the table-top mountain. After taking in the view, we descended again and continued our tour. We saw a lot of unusual rock formations and passed through different landscapes including forest and agriculture. The Elbe river was a red thread that connected all our hikes throughout the vacation.

Although we had some rain, we were lucky to have mostly nice sunny weather. Hiking is a great activity to do alone, with friends, or with family, and our vacation in Saxony was no exception. The diverse landscapes and beautiful views made for an unforgettable experience. From climbing the Lilienstein to taking in the view from the table-top mountain, each hike was unique and had its own charm. The Elbe river was the perfect backdrop for our vacation and made for a truly memorable experience. If you're looking for a hiking vacation filled with beautiful views and diverse landscapes, Saxony, Germany is a must-visit destination.

Our adventure in Saxony began with a bus ride to Hinterhermsdorf, where we were greeted with the charming sight of traditional wooden houses with flowers and red and white blocked curtains. This was the typical image of Germany and Austria that I had in my mind.

We then descended to the Kirnitzschklamm, on the Czech border, where we were able to see the recent history of the area written on the border stones. We could see the remnants of DDR history on the German side, and the transformation of the Czech Republic on the other side. We took a boat ride along the Kirnitzsch, where we were promised to see fish otters, but unfortunately, we didn't spot any. We finished the day with a challenging climb to the 435-metre-high Königsplatz viewpoint. The climb was tough, but we were able to take the bus back down.

The next day, we took the bus to the Lichtenhainer Wasserfall. The hike started with a walk through the forest, which wasn't too difficult. However, the real adventure began when we climbed along the forested rock face. The path was busy, but other hikers and us helped each other to make our way up, making for a funny and enjoyable experience. The path winds up between the rock towers with many steps, up and downs and viewpoints to the top of the Schrammsteine. The view from the top was worth all the effort.

Overall, the vacation was a great experience. The nature and the hikes were beautiful, but the most enjoyable part was spending time with my friend. Together the tough climbs almost felt easy.