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Climbing at Elbe Sandstones

20993 routes
9 areas
1–11 grades

Photo: Jan Kameníček, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Elbe Sandstones in northern Bohemia form the canyon-like valley of the Elbe between Děčín and Hřensko and continue across the border into Saxon Switzerland. The Labské pískovce Protected Landscape Area was declared on 19 September 1972 and covers about 324 km²; its main part lies on the right bank of the Elbe next to Bohemian Switzerland National Park, and the Elbe Canyon itself is a national nature monument. On the left bank, on the southern edge of the Ore Mountains fault, rise the Tisá Walls (613 m), which together with the Rájec and Ostrov walls and Děčínský Sněžník make up the western hiking and climbing part. In Děčín the Pastýřská stěna above the Elbe carries a via ferrata.

Climbing is on sandstone walls and towers from a few metres up to about 40 m, mostly face climbing on holds on rock that is often fragile. Ethics are traditional and shaped by Saxon Switzerland: ring bolts are sparse, gaps are protected only with slings and knots, metal gear (cams, nuts, pitons) is banned and chalk is prohibited in the Tisá protected area. Climb only on dry rock and in daylight; some routes and sectors are closed because of rock damage or temporarily for nesting birds. The first sport ascents at Tisá date from the early 20th century. Entry to the Malé and Velké stěny is paid (waived for Czech Mountaineering Association members), with paid parking in Tisá village. The tourist trails get crowded at weekends.

Part of Czech Republic, Elbe Sandstones has 20993 routes documented on climbing.place. Routes range from grade 1 to 11. Explore its 9 crags and sectors below.

Common styles: Rock Climbing, Textile belay, Fixed belay, Sport Climbing, Route in shadow.

Rules

The ČHS rules for climbing in Bohemian sandstone areas apply.

  • Chalk is banned.
  • No metal protection (cams, nuts, pitons) – only slings, knots and textile "UFOs" between the rings.
  • Climb on dry rock only – wet sandstone softens and breaks.
  • Do not alter the rock surface.
  • Abseil from the summit rings.

Parts of the area lie in Bohemian Switzerland National Park and the Elbe Sandstones Protected Landscape Area, where seasonal closures for nesting birds apply. Check the ČHS crag database before you go.

6. Elbe Valley – right bank 4366 routes 1. Ostrov 3754 routes 9. Bohemian Switzerland NP 2966 routes 3. Tisá 2935 routes 7. Elbe Valley – left bank 2409 routes 2. Rájec 1595 routes 8. Bohemian Switzerland 1203 routes 5. Bělá 1012 routes 4. Děčínský Sněžník 753 routes
Sort by: Recently updated Highest rated Grade: easiest first Grade: hardest first Name (A–Z)
4-
Nuget
Briefly up route a) and left to the K (ring). Up the wall to the top. Rock Climbing Fixed belay
4-
Nuget
Up the corner of route a) to the balcony. Right up the wall past the K (ring) to the top. Rock Climbing
4+
Nuget
From the deep corner (small cave) up the overhanging corner to the balcony. Right along… Rock Climbing
4-
Nuget
By the Bílá místa (White Spots) route to the ring. Left to the edge and along it to the… Rock Climbing
4-
Nuget
By the edge past the clock to the top. Rock Climbing Textile belay
5+
Nuget
Up the corner to the platform and straight past the ring to the top. Rock Climbing
6-
Nuget
Through the middle of the wall, past the ring to the top to the sun. Rock Climbing Fixed belay Route in shadow +2
5+
Nedělní věž
Along the South edge across the clock of Cesta velkých snů (Way of Big Dreams), without… Rock Climbing Textile belay
5+
Císařské stěny
Up the wall across the ring n. t. Rock Climbing Fixed belay Textile belay
6
Císař
From the saddle traverse to the right to the center of the North wall to the ring.… Rock Climbing
5
Císař
Along the NE edge to the ring and to the summit. (The ring was installed later in 1986). Rock Climbing Fixed belay Route in shadow +2
5
Císař
From the ring of Benke's route, traverse left to the Old Route. Rock Climbing Fixed belay Textile belay
5
Císařské stěny
Along the Southern edge across the ring n. t. Rock Climbing Fixed belay Textile belay
5+
Císař
(In 1953, part of the wall collapsed under the ring). Rock Climbing
6
Císař
From the valley, through the center of the pillar (bh) to the ledge (clock). To the left… Rock Climbing Fixed belay Textile belay
6-
Císař
Through a notch in the valley wall up to the rockfalls. Building towards the ring and… Rock Climbing
5
Císař
Along the ledge from the NE edge horizontally to the right into the valley wall. A few… Rock Climbing
6
Císař
Right edge of the valley face to the left to the ring. Face to the 2nd ring of the valley… Rock Climbing
5
Císař
Southeast edge directly, n. v.
5+
Císař
Southeast edge to the ledge and traverse left to the southwest edge to the ring. Face… Rock Climbing Fixed belay Textile belay +1
6
Císař
From the 1st K edge to the K Vyhlídková (Scenic) edge and directly along the edge, n. v.
5
Císař
From the ledge to the right of the southeast edge, through the hole diagonally left to… Rock Climbing Fixed belay Textile belay
3
Komorník
Short crack near the left edge of the north face to the summit. Rock Climbing
4-
Komorník
Narrow face to the right of the Standard route to the summit. Rock Climbing
5
Císař
From the saddle, up the east face to the ledge, traverse left to the southeast edge (dK),… Rock Climbing Fixed belay Textile belay
4+
Komorník
Center of the north face to the summit. Rock Climbing Route in shadow Textile belay +1
4+
Komorník
Crack in the right part of the south face to the right to the ring. Along the edge to the… Rock Climbing Fixed belay Route on sun +2
3
Krteček
Center of the east face, right of the Standard route, n. v. Rock Climbing
2+
Krteček
Right crack in the north face, n. v. Rock Climbing
2+
Augustinova věžička
On the right in the uphill wall along the edge to the summit. Rock Climbing Textile belay

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