The Jonsdorf Rock City is one of the most striking natural wonders of the Zittau Mountains - a maze of weathered sandstone towers, narrow passages and ancient paths that feels like wandering through the ruins of a stone metropolis carved by nature itself.

The landscape is defined by heavily fissured sandstone formations, cut through by veins of basalt and phonolite, shaped over millennia by erosion and weathering. In summer, the surrounding forest and cool rocky crevices offer welcome shade; in autumn the colorful foliage contrasts beautifully with the raw stone; and in winter, frost-covered rocks give the whole area an almost fairy-tale atmosphere. The terrain demands a reasonable level of fitness, but the reward is a truly unique hiking experience full of silence and dramatic scenery.

How to get there

• Jonsdorf - trail towards the Friedrichssteine, approx. 1-1.5 hours, moderate difficulty
• Alternative route via the Mühlsteinbrüche (former millstone quarries) located to the northeast of the Rock City

Practical information

• The area is a designated Nature Reserve (NSG) covering 65.4 ha and forms the strict quiet zone of the Zittau Mountains Nature Park
• It is an important breeding ground for eagle owl and peregrine falcon, so access to certain rock sections may be temporarily restricted during nesting season
• The site is part of the Natura 2000 area 'Hochlagen des Zittauer Gebirges'

The famous Friedrichssteine rocks take their name from Oskar Friedrich, and it is right at their base that the springs feeding the Pochebach stream first emerge.