Saxony in eastern Germany is a cradle of free climbing. Saxon Switzerland along the Elbe south-east of Dresden (a national park since September 1990) has about 14,000 routes on more than 1,100 sandstone pinnacles, and the Saxon rules from the early 20th century – ropes and rings for safety only, no chalk, nuts or cams, knotted slings between the rings – are considered one of the origins of free climbing. The region also includes the Saxon Elbe valley, the Zittau Mountains and the Saxon side of the Ore Mountains.
Sandstone is climbed only when dry and according to the rules of the national park and the Saxon climbing federation; climbing.place also lists gyms in Dresden and Leipzig.
Part of Germany, Saxony has 33 via ferrata routes documented on climbing.place. Explore its 4 areas below.