The Affensteine is one of the wildest and most dramatic rock formations in Saxon Switzerland — a long, deeply fissured ridge of towers, canyons and lookout points that draws hikers and climbers alike. It's a place where the landscape feels almost otherworldly, with narrow trails weaving between massive sandstone pillars.

The terrain here is rugged and layered, with paths running at different elevations through forest and rock. The highest point, the Lange Horn plateau, reaches 460 meters, while the iconic Carolafelsen (453 m), named after Saxony's last queen, offers one of the finest views in the region. In autumn, mist often drifts through the gorges giving the area a mysterious atmosphere, while summer brings climbers eager to test themselves on some of the hardest routes in Saxon Switzerland.

How to get there

• Kirnitzschtal valley — lower Affensteinweg trail (green dot), part of the Malerweg's 4th stage, moderately steep, easy
• Königsweg (red stripe) — narrow but gentle lower-level trail, with direct access to the Häntzschelstiege via ferrata
• Access also possible from the Schrammsteine or from Schmilka direction

Good to know

• The Häntzschelstiege is a fully-equipped via ferrata — experienced hikers only
• The Wilde Hölle route is an adventurous climb through a narrow gorge with iron ladders and rungs
• The uppermost trail, the Reitsteig (blue stripe), is a wide forest track connecting the Schrammsteine with the Großer Winterberg

The name Affensteine ('Monkey Rocks') likely comes from the Old German word for eagle owl, though local legend tells of a young nobleman who escaped imprisonment with the help of a tame monkey and a rope.