The Castles of the Polenz Valley: Hohnstein and Hockstein

The starting point is the market square in Hohnstein. From here, we first take the narrow Rathausstraße downhill – the castle is to our right – and then immediately turn right onto the "Bärengarten" path. The blue markings lead us down into the Schindergraben (Schinder's ditch).

The name comes from the original profession of the "Schinder" (skinner), who administered the coup de grâce to sick animals and disposed of the carcasses in remote areas – an important task for epidemic prevention.

The Schindergraben flows into the Polenztal (Polenz Valley). After crossing the Polenz, we walk to the right past the Gasathaus (red marking). After a few minutes, we take the path on the left up to the Hockstein (blue and green markings). This leads through the Wolfsschlucht (Wolf's Gorge) – a very narrow and impressive cleft between the rocks. At the top, we reach the Hockstein (Hockstein) with a rest pavilion and an impressive viewpoint. A castle used to stand here – the Wolfsschlucht (Wolf's Gorge) was the only access. This made the fortress easy to guard and optimally defended in the event of an attack.

The route continues over the stone Teufelsgrund Bridge. At the next intersection, we keep left and follow the Knotenweg (green line), which later crosses a road. We continue along the Knotenweg (at the next intersection without color markings, turn left downhill) to the Koppelsgrund. Here we turn left (Füllholzelweg, red line), later cross the road again, and descend into the Polenztal Valley. At the bottom, we turn right to the Waltersdorf Mill. Behind the mill, we cross the bridge and continue left to the Neuweg (red line). We follow this path uphill through the forest to a crossroads, where we can either continue straight ahead to the entrance of Hohnstein to the market (still red line) or turn left along the edge of the village back to the Bärengarten and take the same path to the market as at the beginning of the tour. A visit to the impressive Hohnstein Castle is recommended on the way there or back.

Hohnstein Castle was built in 1236 and has since risen 140 meters above the Polenz Valley. The rocky cliffs drop steeply into the valley on three sides. The only access is via the market square. As a fief of Emperor Charles IV, King of Bohemia, the border fortress passed to Hinko I Berka von der Duba in 1353.

The tour is suitable for children. At the Wolfsschlucht Gorge, numerous staircases must be negotiated and the path becomes quite narrow, so the tour is only partially suitable for dogs.

Arrival by public transport: Take the S1 train to Pirna, then take bus 237 (towards Sebnitz) to Markt, Hohnstein.

Arrival by car: Parking (some of which is subject to a fee) is available at the Eiche parking lot and at the parking lot of the former train station in Hohnstein.