Just to clarify: This is not a hiking trail.
The term “stairs” is not clearly defined. There are stairs that are steep, narrow and a bit exposed in some places, but can be easily hiked through if you are sure-footed and have a head for heights. There are stairs that can also be climbed without much difficulty using carved steps and handles or isolated steps and handrails, but this staircase is not one of them.
This staircase goes over the bare rock. You have to look for steps and handles yourself. There are no holding irons. Whether this is perceived as fun or torture depends on your physical condition, fitness level and willingness to take risks. If you have short legs and short arms or are inexperienced in the three-point technique, you may scrape half a meter along the hard rock in some places. The stairs are more challenging going downhill than going uphill. If you are just hiking around the Großer Bärenstein, you should take the rocks at the start of the stairs with you, because they are worth seeing.
In general, the Großer Bärenstein is rather natural. We didn't notice any trail markings on the Bärenstein. Anyone coming from Naundorf may already find themselves in overgrown thickets on one or two less-used single trails. The same applies to the trails below directly along the rock. The path from the Bärenstein tower to the summit level is more of a small search game despite Komoot. Sometimes you find yourself standing in exposed places that, like the stairs, are manageable, but then end in a dead end after a few meters.
As an alternative to the Großer Bärenstein, there are the Rauenstein, the Pfaffenstein, the Papststein or the Gohrischstein, all of which are better developed in terms of path technology and offer a lower-risk hiking experience.