Going to the Elbsandsteingebirge I do not know more of it than Pirna and Bad Schandau. That changes quickly during this week. Upon taking the urban railway to reach the access points of the hiking tours you get to know the places along the route quite quickly. When we come to K\u00f6nigstein on our second day I realize quickly that the place is something special. And that not only because of the fortress K\u00f6nigstein which soars above the community.<\/p>\n
The chant of the surpreme bird<\/strong> A fortress in the Saxon Switzerland<\/strong> Alongside the panoramic walk<\/strong> At the beach<\/strong> The Bieltalbahn<\/strong>
\nJust the first stop after Pirna is something special: it is called Obervogelgesang. You really have to savour this name: Ober-Vogel-Gesang. Sounds silly? Well that\u2019s not all. The place used to be called K\u00f6nigsnase, later on Vogelgesang was added. In the 17th century one decided to subclassify the place into Ober- and Untervogelgesang, finally Obervogelgesang became the official name.<\/p>\n
\nBack to K\u00f6nigstein. My first encounter with this nice place was rained off. However there is some kind of magic going through the village. Plus, I spotted the walk up to the fortress that means I have to come back again.
\nThree days later it is time. After our fourth hiking tour I still have enough time to climb up to the fortress. The climb is supposed to take about 45 minutes, well, I can make it in twenty. <\/p>\n
\nHaving reached the top I am richly awarded: Both, the fortress and the view from it onto the environment are spectacular. Unfortunately I don\u2019t have enough time to visit the fortress as the place is really big with a size of 13 pitches and 33 rooms to visit. I therefore take the panoramic walk along the thick fortress walls and enjoy the marvellous views onto the national park, the remnants of the Osterzgebirge until Dresden. I finally leave the place and go back to K\u00f6nigstein.<\/p>\n
\nReaching the city limits again, I pause. A yellow signpost has \u201eStrand\u201c on it. Oh, a beach in the Elbsandsteingebirge? The arrow has the direction of the Elbe cycle path. However, it is cold today anyway and I rather explore the town a little bit more. <\/p>\n
\nAt one of the house walls I discover a picture of the former Bieltalbahn which functioned from 1901-1904. Unfortunately I cannot find out what has happened. Even a search on the internet does not give me any information. That\u2019s weired. I take a walk through the old town and wander back to the railway station. The sun illuminated the river Elbe and the valley. The detour to K\u00f6nigstein was really nice.<\/p>\n