Hiking trail to connect Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland

The national park administrations of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland want to set up a new cross-border hiking route. It is intended to guide visitors through impressive natural areas and impart knowledge in the process, as announced by Sachsenforst.

The route connects the "Path to Wilderness" adventure trail in the Saxon national park with the "Phoenix" viewing platform near Mezná in the Czech Republic. Among other things, it leads through the area affected by the 2022 forest fire on the Czech side and through beech stands on the Great Winter Mountain in Saxony.

New section is currently being expanded on the Czech side

Czech Environment Minister Petr Hladík emphasized: "This will enable visitors to get to know the landscape and natural values that we preserve here for people in a more intensive and at the same time sensitive way." The new section, which is around 2.3 kilometers long, is currently being expanded on the Czech side. The total distance between the two adventure locations is around 8 kilometers.

According to those responsible, the route should not cause any disruption to the specially protected core zones. "After the opening of the trail, we will initiate further monitoring to prevent undesirable developments," emphasized the director of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park administration, Petr Kříž.

When will the trail be opened?

The opening to the public is planned for spring 2026. The route will be presented to representatives from local authorities and tourism associations in the fall.

The German side also sees the new connection as an important addition. National Park Director Uwe Borrmeister explained: "It will help to deepen understanding of the national parks." The route supports the revitalization of the Great Winter Mountain as a traditional excursion destination.

Kříž said that another advantage is that visitors will no longer have to use the busy international road to get from one national park to another. "I am convinced that the new route will provide visitors with a pleasant and educational experience in this beautiful but also sensitive natural environment."