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Natural Monuments

Saxon Switzerland-East Ore Mountains

Hohnstein

Rock Formations and Cliffs, Saxon Switzerland National Park

Natural Monuments

Saxon Switzerland-East Ore Mountains

Hohnstein

Rock Formations and Cliffs, Saxon Switzerland National Park

Highlight • Natural Monument

Rock Formations and Cliffs, Saxon Switzerland National Park

Recommended by 63 hikers out of 65

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Nationalpark-Kernzone

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Location: Hohnstein, Saxon Switzerland-East Ore Mountains, Saxony, Germany

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Best Hikes to Rock Formations and Cliffs, Saxon Switzerland National Park

4.8

(1129)

4,090

hikers

1. Hohnstein Castle – View of the Lilienstein loop from Hohnstein

26.3km

07:44

750m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Hard

4.7

(95)

378

hikers

2. Brand Steps – View of the Lilienstein loop from Altendorf

15.5km

04:42

490m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

4.7

(26)

hikers

3. Brandstufen – View of the Lilienstein loop from Bad Schandau

15.2km

04:47

540m

Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

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Hard

Tips

Joe Outside

October 7, 2025

The Brand is a rocky plateau in Saxon Switzerland, located 3.1 km south of Hohnstein, at an altitude of 317.4 m above sea level and 177 m above the Polenz River, which flows directly below. The Brand viewpoint is one of the most famous in Saxon Switzerland. The classic access to the Brand is from Hohnstein via the so-called Brandstraße, a roughly 2.5 kilometer long paved road. From the Tiefen Grund (Waitzdorfer Bach) to the east, approximately 850 steps, known as the Brandstufen, lead up to the Brand. The loosely spaced wooden and steel staircases climb about 150 m in altitude. Another access point leads from the Polenztal to the west, from the Waltersdorfer Mill, across the Schulzengrund to the Brandstraße. The path via the Brandstraße and the Brandstufen is part of the Malerweg, the main hiking trail in Saxon Switzerland. See: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brand_(S%C3%A4chsische_Schweiz)

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Gaudi

August 10, 2025

It's just incredibly beautiful here 😊.

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Details

Informations

Elevation 270 m

Weather

Sunday 18 January

3°C

-3°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 29.0 km/h

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See hikes here

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Location: Hohnstein, Saxon Switzerland-East Ore Mountains, Saxony, Germany

Other Popular Places to Check Out

View from Brand (Balkon der Sächsischen Schweiz)

View of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains

Goßdorfer Perle – Painted Globe of Saxon Switzerland

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View from Fritschenstein

Kiefricht Promenade

Brandbaude and Viewpoint (Balkon der Sächsischen Schweiz)

Polenztal

Steep Descent Through Core Zone Steps to the Valley

Polenztal Trail

Rock Formations and Cliffs, Saxon Switzerland National Park

1. Hohnstein Castle – View of the Lilienstein loop from Hohnstein

2. Brand Steps – View of the Lilienstein loop from Altendorf

3. Brandstufen – View of the Lilienstein loop from Bad Schandau

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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