The Castles of the Polenz Valley: Hohnstein and Hockstein

Hiking trails & Routes

Hohnstein

The Castles of the Polenz Valley: Hohnstein and Hockstein

Moderate

4.6

(231)

666

hikers

The Castles of the Polenz Valley: Hohnstein and Hockstein

03:02

9.97km

320m

Hiking

The starting point is the market square in Hohnstein. From here, we first take the narrow Rathausstraße downhill – the castle is to our right – and then immediately turn right onto the "Bärengarten" path. The blue markings lead us down into the Schindergraben (Schinder's ditch).

The name comes from…

by Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz

Last updated: July 15, 2025

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Nationalpark Sächsische Schweiz

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

281 m

View of Hohenstein Castle

Highlight • Viewpoint

Great view of the castle!

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1.68 km

Wolfsschlucht Gorge (Saxon Switzerland)

Highlight (Segment) • Gorge

Adventurous and works very well. And such a beautiful typical piece of Saxon Switzerland

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1.81 km

View of Hohnstein Castle and the Polenz Valley from the Hockstein

Highlight • Viewpoint

Awesome view of the valley and Hohenstein. Fantastic.

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1.93 km

Teufelsgrund Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

Did you know already...
that the Teufelsgrund bridge on the Hockstein is older than the Bastei bridge?

The wooden bridge on the Hockstein, built in 1821, was replaced by a …

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3.45 km

Historic salt lick stone (Salzlecke) in the Saxon Switzerland National Park

Highlight • Historical Site

A little laterally from the path lies this old hunting facility with explanatory sign. Historically and hunting interesting.

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6.95 km

Waltersdorf Mill

Highlight • Mountain Hut

Open in winter - inside an old oven to warm up - nice host with good tips - there was freshly baked cheesecake and Lusatian Pils from Wittichenau
P.S. rarely …

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7.09 km

Polenztal Valley

Highlight • Gorge

Especially worth seeing in March, when the spring cups are in bloom and the whole meadow is immersed in a white sea. ;-)

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9.97 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

5.67 km

2.61 km

1.26 km

228 m

221 m

Surfaces

4.46 km

2.80 km

1.17 km

1.01 km

524 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (340 m)

Lowest point (170 m)

Weather

Today

Friday 23 October

10°C

4°C

21 %

Additional weather tips

Expect light wind and shifting conditions.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 19, 2025,Die Burgen des Polenztals: Hohnstein und Hockstein

A very beautiful tour with an exciting passage through a gorge. The tour is uncrowded, and there are also small snacks available along the way.

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October 26, 2021,Hohnstein und Hockstein – im Polenztal

I can heartily recommend this wild and romantic gorge tour. The castle Hohnstein with its castle garden, at the starting point of the tour, is definitely worth a visit and the ascent of the tower allows the first glance to wander far over the place. (All without entrance fees, there’s something like that!) The subsequent path through the Schindergraben is …

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March 15, 2025,Burgrunde im Polenztal (Sächsische Schweiz): Hohnstein und Hockstein

Highly recommended: a quick stop at the Walthersdorf Mill (idyllic location in the Polenz Valley), about halfway along the trail. Fair prices, friendly service, and, when the weather cools down, an open fire blazes in the courtyard.

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January 13, 2024,Wanderung durch das Polenztal mit Gautschgrotte und Wolfsschlucht

It took three attempts to see the Gautschgrotto iced over. This year we did it. 😁 It's quite a spectacle. The many people who wanted to see this natural spectacle were also a spectacle. It was totally overcrowded. But as soon as we left the grotto behind us, the hustle and bustle was over 😉

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October 14, 2020

The starting point is the market square in Hohnstein. From here, we first take the narrow Rathausstraße downhill – the castle is to our right – and then immediately turn right onto the "Bärengarten" path. The blue markings lead us down into the Schindergraben (Schinder's ditch).
﻿
The name comes from the

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October 26, 2021

We did this tour today and we are thrilled. A really great and varied round through wild and romantic gorges with views that delight the heart every time and the eyes of course. Absolute tour recommendation!

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