Bastei Saxon Switzerland National Park

The most majestic rock formation with impressive views - a stone landscape that stretches extensively through Saxon Switzerland.

On our last road trip through Germany, which was quite some time ago now, we drove to Saxony, among other places, to see Saxon Switzerland, also known as the Bastei. With its majestic rock formations, man-made castle complete with stairs and the famous bridge, it's a popular tourist destination.

Since we were walking on the bridge and along the rocks, we enjoyed the beautiful view the formation offered more than photographing it from a distance. Although my husband would have loved to unpack his drone to take unforgettable aerial photos, we unfortunately had to refrain, as drone photography is strictly prohibited in this location and carries a fine of several thousand euros. (Which makes me wonder how all the amateur photographers managed to take their aerial shots.)

However, we didn't miss the aerial view - I think the pictures show quite well that the Bastei is more than just this one angle.

With stunning views down into the deep valley, surrounded by colorful nature, and with an adventurous tour over the rocks, which were once used as a castle with catapults, weapons and war hideouts and still show signs of this today, this beautiful place has much more to offer than just superficial beauty.

Just between us: Following the traces of the past can be exciting, but walking along these so-called stairs, which in some places were nothing more than steps hewn into the rock or later-built metal staircases, with a sheer drop below, is not for someone with a fear of heights or a fear of falling. Consequently, I sometimes crawled along on all fours to make it – which looked great fun to onlookers, but was simply terrifying for me.