Climbing areas & peaks

The Wehlen area is the sandstone region between the Elbe and the Lusatian Overthrust. It stretches from the Basteistraße-Pferdegrund line in the east to Pirna in the west. Most climbing destinations are located in the grounds sloping down to the Elbe in the western part of the Bastei plateau. The rock on most peaks is relatively soft and brittle.

The Rathen area encompasses the wide rock basin of the Grünbach stream and its tributaries north of Rathen, including the Elbe walls between Pferdegrund and the town of Rathen. Most of the climbing rocks are located in the gorges of the Bastei massif. The rock is fine-grained and low in binding agents, making it soft and brittle, especially at the Gamrig.

The Brand area covers the rock faces of the Polenz and Sebnitz valleys and their side valleys from where they enter the sandstone area. The strength of the sandstone decreases from the Lusatian Overthrust towards the south.

‘Schrammsteine’ refers to the rock area between the Elbe and Kirnitzsch rivers, stretching eastwards from Bad Schandau to the line between Nasser Grund, Schwarzes Loch and Langer Grund. The rocks consist of often soft and brittle stone with a predominantly vertical structure.

The Schmilka area – also known as the Schmilka basin – stretches east of the Schrammsteine to the state border and lies south of the line formed by Schrammsteinweg, Zurückesteig, Reitsteig and Großer Winterberg. The village of Schmilka is located in the south of the area. The rocks consist of large-banked, often soft sandstone, whose grip and strength varies.

The Affensteine (‘monkey stones’) comprise the rock area north of the line Schrammsteinweg – Zurückesteig – Reitsteig – Kleiner Winterberg, between the Schwarzes Loch in the west and the Kleiner Winterberg in the east. The rocks are predominantly vertical and characterised by numerous cracks and chimneys. The large-banked sandstone is generally relatively solid.

The area encompasses the climbing destinations in the large rock basin formed by the eastern slopes of the Kleiner Winterberg and the Bärenfangwände between Heringsloch, Roßsteig and Böses Horn. The rock is large-blocked and varies in hardness.

The Großer Zschand area encompasses the upper part of the valley of the same name, south of the Zeughaus to the border with the Czech Republic. It includes climbing destinations in the rugged eastern foothills of the Winterberg massif from Roßsteig to the Partschenhörner peaks and in the Thorwalder Wände to the Stimmersdorfer Weg. The large-block sandstone is relatively brittle.

The area encompasses the isolated rocky mountains on both sides of the central Kirnitzsch valley, north of the line Beuthenfall – Dietrichsgrund – Zeughausstraße – Zeughaus – Saupsdorfer Weg. The northern boundary of the area is formed by the Lusatian Overthrust. The rock of the cliffs varies in hardness. On the local mountain, the rock is partially silicified due to volcanic influences and the proximity of the Lusatian Overthrust. The other rock peaks, such as the Lorenzsteine and the Kleinstein, are often brittle.

The area encompasses the climbing destinations in the border region near Hinterhermsdorf, between the Lusatian Overthrust in the north, the national border in the east and south, and the line Stimmersdorfer Weg – Hinterer Thorwaldweg – Oberer Hirschewaldweg in the west. The scattered towers, most of which are low in height, consist of sandstone that generally offers few handholds.