Affensteine Cliff
Dramatic sandstone rock formations popular with hikers
Affensteine comprises sandstone towers in Saxon Switzerland popular for hiking, climbing routes and viewpoints across the Elbe Sandstone Mountains.
Affensteine at a Glance#
Address: Affensteine (Monkey Rocks), Saxon Switzerland, Saxony, Germany (near Bad Schandau)
Hours: Open daily, dawn-dusk
Admission: Free
About Affensteine#
Affensteine is a prominent sandstone rock formation and ridge in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains of Saxony, Germany. The site is noted for its towers, narrow rock corridors and high viewpoints overlooking the Elbe valley.
Hikers and climbers can use an interconnected network of trails, ladders and stairways to reach narrow passages and lookout plates that provide sweeping views of the surrounding forested landscape and river valley. The area consists of tall sandstone towers and rocky outcrops that are popular for day hikes and photography.
The rock shapes are the product of long-term erosion of the Triassic sandstone that forms the Elbe Sandstone massif. Trails and routes through the formations were established over the 19th and 20th centuries as the area developed as a recreational landscape.
The Affensteine sit within the Saxon Switzerland region near Bad Schandau in Saxony, on the German side of the Elbe. The formations are accessed from local trailheads in the national park and are a short drive from nearby towns in the Elbe valley.
- Protected landscape: Part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains and located within or adjacent to Saxon Switzerland National Park, where the area is subject to conservation rules and seasonal visitor management.
What to See#
- Affensteine ridge: A rocky sandstone ridge of towers and pinnacles formed from Elbe Sandstone and cut by narrow paths and ladders, used by hikers and climbers to access viewpoints.
- Trails and viewpoints: A series of marked walking trails and lookout platforms that give panoramic views over the Elbe valley and surrounding national park landscape.
How to Get to Affensteine#
Nearest rail access is Bad Schandau; from there a network of marked trails and local buses reach the Affensteine. Parking and trailheads are available around the national park’s visitor points.
Tips for Visiting Affensteine#
- Wear sturdy shoes for scrambling on the sandstone steps and ridgelines - some sections can be steep.
- Start at the Forsthaus or rock gates parking and follow the marked trails to viewpoints such as the Hockstein.
- Bring a camera for the layered rock shapes at dawn and dusk when shadows sculpt the formations.
Best Time to Visit Affensteine#
May-September for hiking and clear access; autumn offers dramatic colours and fewer people.
Weather & Climate near Affensteine#
Affensteine's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -3°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (764 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -3° - 2° | -5° | 53 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -2° - 3° | -4° | 48 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 1° - 7° | 1° | 56 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 4° - 12° | 5° | 35 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 8° - 18° | 13° | 66 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 11° - 21° | 16° | 80 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 13° - 22° | 18° | 96 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 13° - 23° | 18° | 93 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 10° - 18° | 14° | 64 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 6° - 12° | 7° | 55 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 1° - 6° | 0° | 62 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -1° - 3° | -3° | 56 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
