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<h2>Germany's Natural Wonder</h2><p>Just a short train ride south of Dresden lies a landscape so dramatic and surreal it has been nicknamed Germany's "Grand Canyon". The Saxon Switzerland National Park is Germany's only rock national park, a breathtaking world of towering sandstone pillars, deep gorges, and mystical forests that straddles the border with the Czech Republic.</p><h3>The Iconic Bridge</h3><p>The park's most famous and photographed landmark is the Bastei Bridge. This stunning man-made stone bridge, originally built of wood in 1824, weaves spectacularly through a cluster of jagged rock formations, 194 meters above the Elbe River. The panoramic views from the bridge and surrounding viewpoints are simply breathtaking.</p><h3>Hiking Paradise</h3><p>The park is a paradise for hikers and climbers, with about 1,200 km of marked trails ranging from gentle strolls to demanding climbs that involve navigating narrow passes, metal ladders, and steep stairs. The 116-km Malerweg (Painters' Way) is a famous long-distance trail that leads hikers through the most scenic parts of the region in eight stages.</p><h3>Visiting Tips</h3><p>The Bastei Bridge is a major tourist attraction and can become extremely crowded, especially midday. To experience its true magic, visitors should consider staying overnight in the charming riverside spa town of Kurort Rathen and visiting the bridge at sunrise or after sunset. The bridge is open 24/7 and is free to access, offering a chance for a peaceful, crowd-free experience.</p><h3>The Romantic Connection</h3><p>This rugged, rocky landscape, formed by millions of years of water erosion on the Elbe Sandstone Mountains, inspired the great Romantic painters of the 19th century, most notably Caspar David Friedrich. Today, visitors can literally walk through the landscapes that appear in these famous paintings.</p>