Kurort Rathen Off The Beaten Path Tips by german_eagle

Kleine Bastei

Sure, the views from Kleine Bastei are not as spectacular as those from the Bastei. However, the views *are* beautiful and on a holiday or weekend with beautiful weather - when Bastei is crowded - I prefer to go to Kleine Bastei.

You can see the Elbe river, Rathen, the other *real* Bastei as well as the impressive Mt. Lilienstein and the Rauenstein mountain. It is a favourite place of mine for having a picnic.

To get there walk the path from (Nieder-)Rathen to Dr. Keydel's Rhododendron garden and continue via the signposted path.

Dr. Keydel's Rhododendron garden

In case you're in Rathen in May/June don't miss to see the blooming rhododrendron in the romantic garden of Dr. Keydel. There are nice places with benches for a rest or picnic in the garden. The views of Rathen and the bizarre sandstone formations are gorgeous.

It is still a quite often overlooked gem. In the late 20th century it ran wild more and more, but the restoration is almost completed.

You get to the garden by walking up the hill on the southeast side in Niederrathen (signposted).