Hello friends! Ryan had his last game of the season this past weekend so for us, this means one thing and one thing only…SUMMER VACATION (can you hear me screaming from where you are? haha). Ryan and I made a promise to ourselves that we would get out and do some traveling and sightseeing during the summer break. First up on our list? Bastei Bridge!
Before we go any further, I feel I must tell you that the pictures and videos included in this post DO NOT do this place justice. When we arrived, we were in awe of how beautiful and breathtaking this place was. It was honestly some of the best scenic views I have ever seen! Whether you’re interested in planning a trip to Bastei, or you are just curious to hear about our experience, I have compiled a guide with information, helpful tips, and of course, LOTS of pictures and videos. Enjoy!
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What Is It?
Okay, so what is Bastei exactly? Bastei is a rock formation that stands at about 653 feet above the Elbe River. (You might remember reading about the Elbe River from my post about visiting Magdeburg, Germany). The rocks of Bastei were formed by water erosion over a million years ago. Crazy, huh? For over 200 years, Bastei has been a growing tourist attraction. Therefore, in 1851 a bridge was constructed in order to link the rocks together for the increasing crowds of visitors. This bridge, Bastei Bridge (or Basteibrücke), has become quite a famous attraction here in Germany- you might have even seen pictures of it, as it’s Pinterest-perfect!
How To Get There
To be completely honest with you, the easiest way to get there is by car. Or motorcycle/RV/spaceship if you’re cool enough to have such a thing. I did read that it’s possible to get there by S-Bahn and boat, but I can’t imagine that it would be a quick or easy trip. Take my advice and just drive yourselves there. Below is the address that we used and it brought us fairly close to the entrance. However, there are numerous signs saying “Bastei” which point you in the right direction. Take it from a gal who is severely directionally-challenged: it is very easy to find your way there!
Basteistrasse, Lohmen 01847
Once you have found your way there, you will immediately see a parking lot. This lot is a bit far from the entrance to the park (sign says about a 40-minute walk) but there is a shuttle that will drive you up the hill and save you some energy. However, there is an additional parking lot about 2 miles up the way if you would rather take your chances there. We decided to go this route and it dumped us out exactly where we wanted to start our adventure!
Fees
The best part about this little excursion? It is completely free to enter the park! You will have to pay to park your car and if you choose to take the shuttle bus but it should only cost you a few euros for the entire time you’re there (Ryan and I paid 3 euros total for parking).
Facilities
A hotel is located right at the entrance which would be the perfect spot for a weekend getaway if you’re super into hiking and want to spend more time along the trails. A restaurant, bathrooms, souvenir shops, and smaller food/ice cream carts are also located near the entrance area.
What To Expect
Views, views, and oh wait…more views! The steep towering rocks provide unreal scenery. There are countless lookout points along the pathways that give you the opportunity to overlook so many gorgeous spots. Expect a lot of walking so don’t forget to wear a good pair of shoes! However, you definitely don’t need to gear up for some major hike or climb.
I would also recommend you pack some food and water. If you decide to walk along some of the trails, there are quite a few LONG sets of stairs that you will have to go up and down. You may even need to stop and take some breaks along the way. I should also warn you that it can get pretty busy- especially around midday when the weather is nice. So, prepare for some serious crowds. You may also have to be patient if you want to get some great photos (without other people in it). Ryan and I arrived in the late morning, toured for a bit, and then stopped to have lunch. We packed sandwiches and drinks and had a picnic on top of one of the cliffs.
As you can see from our photos and videos, you are allowed to bring your dog along with you! For most of the trip, Ryan had Jax tied around his waist. This allowed him to be hands-free while keeping them both safe. If you have a smaller dog who tires easily or one who is afraid of heights, stairs, or bridges, I would, unfortunately, recommend you leave your fur friend at home. Jax is definitely an “adventure pup” who loves climbing, hiking, and meeting new people so this was the perfect place for him.
While you could spend a long time hiking the trails and stopping at each and every lookout, you really don’t need more than a couple hours here. In my opinion, it is perfect for a half-day trip (depending on where you’re coming from, of course). It was such a great day-trip for us and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for an outdoor adventure!
If you ever get the chance to see the Bastei Bridge in person, be sure to let me know if you enjoyed it! For those of you who want a closer look without having to make the trip, be sure to check out the video below!
Are you visiting Germany for the first time? Don’t forget to check out, Visiting Germany: What You Need To Know. It’s informative and super helpful, while also giving you a good laugh on what to expect while staying in Germany!
