Temporary climbing peak closures

Of the 1,135 approved peaks in Saxon Switzerland, 30 peaks (as of 2025) are subject to annual temporary closures to protect the breeding grounds of bird species that are sensitive to disturbance. Additional flexible closures may be added depending on breeding activity. These closures are determined and announced in consultation with the mountaineering associations. The longest closures are from mid-January to mid-August (this affects 8 of the peaks that are closed annually). Outside this period, these peaks may also be climbed. The majority of peak closures begin in mid-February.

Rocks and rocky landscapes are sensitive habitats and home to many rare or endangered animal and plant species. While climbing has become a popular sport over time, the usable rock potential remains limited. The growing number of climbers therefore leads to high intensity of use, which can cause lasting damage and disturbance. A lack of knowledge and awareness of nature conservation issues plays a particular role here. The consequences include damage to plants from trampling, soil erosion in the access area, at the foot of the rock and on the rock reefs, as well as damage to the rock itself. In addition, bird species that breed in rocks and rocky areas, such as eagle owls, black storks and peregrine falcons, can be significantly affected by disturbances – under unfavourable conditions, even a single disturbance can cause them to abandon their breeding site. In order to protect these sensitive habitats, certain climbing peaks are therefore closed during breeding and nesting seasons.

Under Saxony's Nature Conservation Act, temporary protective measures may be put in place to protect wild animal species. To protect the habitats of endangered or strictly protected vertebrate species, their surroundings may also be included within a radius of up to 500 metres in order to avoid disturbance and disruption. 

In the case of an occupied peregrine falcon breeding site at the peak Siegfried in the Affensteine, the outer radius would be as shown in the picture.

In reality, however, a much smaller nest protection zone is often designated in Saxon Switzerland – it corresponds to the minimum tolerance range that peregrine falcons need for undisturbed breeding and rearing of their young.

In the Siegfried example, for example, not 18, but only one climbing peak needs to be closed for about three months.