Weißeritztalbahn: By Steam Train from Freital via Dippoldiswalde to Kipsdorf
Twice a day the Weißeritztalbahn steams through Dippoldiswalde, 250 metres from our apartments. Here is when it runs, what you see along the way and how to combine the ride with a walk.
For us the Weißeritztalbahn is less a day out than a neighbour. From our building at Bahnhofstraße 15 it is about 250 metres to Dippoldiswalde station, a three or four minute walk. So that you don't miss the train and can fit the ride sensibly into your day, we have pulled together the essentials from the current timetable and the operator's conditions.
The line in numbers
The narrow-gauge railway runs on 750 mm track for 26.3 kilometres, climbing from Freital-Hainsberg (184 m) on the edge of Dresden to Kurort Kipsdorf (534 m). It opened as far as Schmiedeberg in 1882 and reached Kipsdorf in September 1883. It is regarded as the oldest public narrow-gauge railway still in service in Germany.
The flood of August 2002 destroyed large parts of the line. Trains returned to Dippoldiswalde in December 2008 and to Kipsdorf on 17 June 2017. The operator is the Sächsische Dampfeisenbahngesellschaft (SDG, the Saxon Steam Railway Company), which also runs the Lößnitzgrundbahn and the Fichtelbergbahn. Trains run every day, always behind steam, at no more than 30 km/h. The full climb takes just under an hour and a half.
What you see along the way
Freital-Hainsberg to Rabenau. Right after Coßmannsdorf the train enters the Rabenauer Grund, the narrow wooded gorge of the Rote Weißeritz river. The tracks hug the river and the rock faces, with a footpath alongside. Many people find this the best stretch. If you want to walk it, see our article on the Rabenauer Grund.
Spechtritz to Malter. Beyond Seifersdorf the line runs above the Malter reservoir. When the dam was built, the track was moved up the hillside between 1910 and 1912, which is why you look down on water, beaches and campsites. Malter halt is a few steps from the Malter lido.
Dippoldiswalde. After 15 kilometres you are halfway. The train stands for several minutes while the locomotive takes on water, and if you only want to ride half the line, this is where you get off. The old town with its castle and museums is a ten-minute walk away; see Exploring Dippoldiswalde.
Ulberndorf to Schmiedeberg. Above Dippoldiswalde the valley narrows again and becomes more rural. At Schmiedeberg the train crosses the valley on a 170-metre viaduct.
Buschmühle to Kurort Kipsdorf. The last three kilometres or so are the steepest, rising from 463 to 534 metres. The line ends in front of the large station building of the former spa resort of Kipsdorf ("Kurort" means spa town). The train turns round here after about 20 minutes.
2026 timetable from Dippoldiswalde
The regular timetable runs from 14 December 2025 to 12 December 2026. Two pairs of trains cover the whole line every day; a third runs only between Freital-Hainsberg and Dippoldiswalde on selected days.
| Direction | Departs Dippoldiswalde | Arrives | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kipsdorf (uphill) | 10:48 | 11:21 | daily |
| Kipsdorf (uphill) | 14:48 | 15:21 | daily |
| Freital-Hainsberg (downhill) | 12:15 | 13:00 | daily |
| Freital-Hainsberg (downhill) | 16:15 | 17:00 | daily |
| Freital-Hainsberg (downhill) | 18:32 | 19:17 | 28 Mar–1 Nov Sat, Sun, holidays; some days in Advent |
To get back to Dippoldiswalde, trains leave Kipsdorf at 11:41 and 15:41 (arriving 12:13 and 16:13) and Freital-Hainsberg at 13:55 (arriving 14:41), plus 17:35 (arriving 18:20) on the days listed above.
A few things that are easy to miss:
- November closure: From 2 to 20 November 2026 the line is closed for maintenance, with no replacement buses.
- Observation car: From 1 May to 30 September 2026 some trains carry an open carriage. Soot and the odd cinder come with it, so don't wear your best white shirt.
- Special timetables apply on some public holidays and for events. On 28 and 29 November 2026 the railway runs "Bimmelbahn & Lichterglanz" (roughly "little train and fairy lights"), when the stations between Hainsberg and Kipsdorf turn into small Christmas markets; there is an extended timetable and no seat reservation. More Advent ideas are in Christmas markets in the Eastern Ore Mountains.
- A new timetable starts on 13 December 2026. The current version is always on the railway's timetable and fares page (in German).
Tickets: where to buy and what's valid
In Dippoldiswalde, the Bimmelbahnshop at the station sells tickets ("Bimmelbahn" is the affectionate local word for a little branch-line train); otherwise you buy from the train crew. Individuals and families don't need to reserve seats; groups of 15 adults or more can reserve free of charge.
Valid tickets are SDG's own fares, VVO season tickets (VVO is the Dresden-area transport network) within their zones, and the BildungsTicket Sachsen for pupils. The Deutschlandticket alone is not enough: you also buy the SDG "Historik-Zuschlag", a heritage supplement that then works as a day ticket. Children aged 6 to 14 travel on the normal SDG child fare in that case. Current prices are in the fares overview on the railway's website, and SDG explains the Deutschlandticket rules in its FAQ.
One quirk that is easy to overlook: the operator allows one break of journey per trip, either on the way out or on the way back. If you want to get off twice, a simple return ticket won't cover it.
Three days out with train and walking boots
Because only two trains a day cover the whole line, it pays to plan your walk around the timetable. These three options work with the 2026 timetable and all start at Dippoldiswalde station.
1. Malter: out by train, back on foot
Take the 12:15 downhill to Malter, a ride of just under ten minutes. In summer you can swim or hire a boat at the lido next to the halt. The way back is a waymarked walk of about 5.8 kilometres along Kurhausstraße, through the woods past the Wolfssäule (a small monument to a wolf shot in 1802), across Dippoldiswalde market square and on to the station. Allow an hour and a half and just under 90 metres of ascent. The town links the route on its walking and cycling page (in German).
2. Otto's Eck near Schmiedeberg
Take the 10:48 uphill to Schmiedeberg-Naundorf halt (arriving about 11:05). From there a 5.3-kilometre loop with about 160 metres of ascent leads to the Otto's Eck lookout tower, built in 1867, and past the former Naundorf manor. According to the route description, the tower only opens at weekends and on public holidays from April to October. Catch the 15:56 back from Schmiedeberg-Naundorf and you are in Dippoldiswalde at 16:13. That leaves a good four hours in between. Bring a packed lunch; check beforehand whether anywhere along the way is open for food.
3. Rabenauer Grund, realistic only at weekends
Take the 12:15 to Rabenau, then walk downhill through the Rabenauer Grund to Freital-Hainsberg. The catch is getting back: on weekdays the last uphill train leaves Hainsberg at 13:55, which is too tight. Between late March and early November it works at weekends and on holidays with the 17:35, which drops you in Dippoldiswalde at 18:20. Route details and tips for the gorge are in the Rabenauer Grund article linked above.
Good to know before you go
- Toilets: SDG lists public toilets at Freital-Hainsberg, Freital-Coßmannsdorf and Kurort Kipsdorf stations, but not at Dippoldiswalde. So use ours before you head out.
- Accessibility: Freital-Hainsberg and Dippoldiswalde have wheelchair lifts. For other halts, ask the railway in advance.
- With children: The round trip to Kipsdorf takes a little over two hours, which is long enough for little ones. More family ideas are collected in The Eastern Ore Mountains with children.
- Photo spots: the locomotive taking water at Dippoldiswalde, and the stretch between Seifersdorf and Malter where the line runs along the slope above the reservoir.
For more outings in the area, see our overview of day trips in the Eastern Ore Mountains.
Coming from Altenberg?
From Altenberg it is about 21 kilometres by car to Dippoldiswalde, just under half an hour. If you are staying with us in Altenberg, set off in time for the 10:48 or the 14:48 to Kipsdorf. Give us a call and we'll tell you where to park near the station.
Stay 250 metres from the platform
Our two apartments in Dippoldiswalde are at Bahnhofstraße 15, one for up to four and one for up to five guests. Both have their own kitchen and washing machine, handy after a day of soot marks and wet boots. Prices start at €70 per apartment per night.
You book directly with us. Call or send a WhatsApp message to +49 1514 1213283 or +49 1525 1644356. Tell us which trip you have in mind and we'll check the timetable with you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a bike on the Weißeritztalbahn?
Yes. According to the operator SDG, a bike costs €3.20 (as of October 2026); folded folding bikes in a bag travel free. Groups with six or more bikes need to book ahead.
Are dogs allowed on the steam train?
Yes, dogs need their own ticket. Unless they travel in a carrier, they must wear a muzzle and be kept on a short lead. Assistance dogs are exempt from the muzzle rule.
Will a pushchair fit on the train?
Yes. The trains include carriages with wider doors and space for luggage, pushchairs and bikes. According to SDG there is a baby-changing table at Kurort Kipsdorf station.
How do I get to the Weißeritztalbahn from Dresden?
Take the S3 suburban train or the RB 30 regional train to Freital-Hainsberg, where the narrow-gauge line starts. In the 2026 timetable, trains from Dresden arrive shortly before the 9:55 and 13:55 departures.
