Pathway connecting Bohemian to Saxon Switzerland

Cross-Border Hiking Trail to Connect Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland National Parks

Plans are underway for a new cross-border hiking trail that will connect the Saxon Switzerland National Park in Germany and the Bohemian Switzerland National Park in the Czech Republic. The trail, expected to open in spring 2026, will span approximately 8 kilometers and connect the "Weg zur Wildnis" experience trail in the Saxon National Park with the "Phoenix" viewing platform in Mezná (Stimmersdorf), Czech Republic.

The national park administrations of both regions, along with the environmental ministries of the Czech Republic and Saxony, local municipalities, and tourism stakeholders, are collaborating on the planning and realization of this trail. This trail will allow visitors to explore the unique landscapes and natural values of both parks more intimately.

The trail passes through areas affected by the 2022 forest fire on the Czech side and beech forests on the Great Winterberg in Saxony. Stricter controls have been enforced in both national parks since the devastating forest fires three years ago. It's worth noting that the trail will not impair the particularly protected core zones of either park.

The Saxon Switzerland National Park, a major tourist attraction, has had a smoking ban in place for many years. There is no new information about the smoking ban or stricter controls in the Saxon Switzerland National Park in this context.

In a recent audio discussion published on the Sachsen - Das Sachsenradio website on September 10, 2025, Lydia Jakobi and Tobias Barth discussed the conflict between nature conservation and nature experience in the Saxon Switzerland National Park. The audio discussion is also available for download on the Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk website.

Currently, an approximately 2.3-kilometer section is being expanded on the Czech side to prepare for the trail's opening. The trail will offer download options in MP3 and MP4 formats for visitors to learn more about the parks' history and ecology.

Petr Hladík, the Czech Minister of the Environment, emphasized that the trail will provide a unique opportunity for visitors to get to know the landscape and natural values of both national parks more intimately. This cross-border hiking trail is set to be a significant addition to the region's tourist offerings, fostering a deeper connection between the two countries and their shared natural wonders.