The Mountain Sports Concept

Bergsportkonzeption

Nature conservation and mountain sports are often incompatible elsewhere, as the rock faces used for climbing are often particularly valuable in terms of nature conservation. The Saxon climbing rules and mutually agreed, area-specific mountain sports concepts make it possible for both to coexist and work together in Saxon Switzerland. For over 150 years, mountaineers have been climbing the 700 peaks in what is now the national park. The concept ensures that excessive wear and tear on these climbing rocks is avoided as far as possible.

To this end, the National Park and Forestry Administration, together with representatives of climbing associations and nature conservationists, first agreed on a joint position paper entitled ‘Sustainable Mountain Sports in the Saxon Switzerland National Park’ and then developed more specific, area-specific mountain sports concepts. They determined which rocks and rock areas are open or closed to climbing and included measures to protect nature, minimise the impact of climbing and ensure sufficient retreat areas for nature.

These measures include, among others:

Markings and, where necessary, the creation of climbing access routes – this facilitates orientation and protects the vegetation cover on mountain slopes from widespread trampling
Temporary and spatially limited closures of rocks, individual climbing routes and nest protection areas to protect bird species that are sensitive to disturbance
Providing climbers with further information to promote awareness and consideration

Thanks to the self-image of many nature-loving climbers and Saxony's climbing ethics, most athletes respect the jointly developed mountain sports concept. This benefits everyone: nature remains protected, the rocks are preserved and traditional Saxon climbing remains possible in the long term.