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Polenz Valley Circular Route

Caution
·
13kmLength
583mElevation gain
4.5–5hrEstimated time
Circular
• Partial closure: Due to a severe storm, the second stage of the Malerweg has been closed in some places since 31 July 2026. However, the diversion still leads to the Bastei viewpoint. Further information: https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/en/tour/detour-on-stage-2-of-the-malerweg-due-to-a-forest-closure-starting-august-3-2026 Popular circular route in the Saxon Switzerland National Park, Saxony. The Polenztal circular route is worth a visit at any time of the year. This route accompanies the Polenz through the valley of the same name in the Elbe Sandstone Mountains of Saxon Switzerland. In March, the largest wild occurrence of the March cup in Saxony can be admired here. The start and end point are at the paid parking lot P 3 Eiche. From there it's always easy up and down through the beautiful, shady valley. There are several rest stops along the route to ensure your physical well-being. Highlights of the hike: - Impressive sandstone formations - Beautiful views - Picturesque gorges - Varied natural landscapes
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Top sights

Hocksteinhöhle
Hocksteinhöhle
Cave
Kleiner Halben
Kleiner Halben
Peak
Blümelgrund
Blümelgrund
Valley
Brandscheibe
Brandscheibe
Peak
Ritterfelsen
Ritterfelsen
Viewpoint
Osterspitze
Osterspitze
Peak
Gautschgrotte
Gautschgrotte
Cave
Dezemberturm
Dezemberturm
Peak
Bärengartenscheibe
Bärengartenscheibe
Peak
Kleine Barbarine
Kleine Barbarine
Peak
Kobold
Kobold
Peak
Steinbruchturm
Steinbruchturm
Peak
Drachenkopf
Drachenkopf
Peak
Tiefer Grund
Tiefer Grund
Valley
Blockhaus
Blockhaus
Hut
Brandaussicht
Brandaussicht
Viewpoint
Ameise
Ameise
Peak
Hockstein
Hockstein
Peak
Hocksteinaussicht
Hocksteinaussicht
Viewpoint
Haus 1
Haus 1
Castle
Falkenwarte
Falkenwarte
Peak
Grüner Stein
Grüner Stein
Peak
Elefant
Elefant
Peak
Nashorn
Nashorn
Peak
Pantinenturm
Pantinenturm
Peak
Oberer Saugrund
Oberer Saugrund
Valley
Forstgrabenturm
Forstgrabenturm
Peak
Forstgraben
Forstgraben
Valley
Kaspers Bücherbude
Kaspers Bücherbude
Attraction
Diebshöhle
Diebshöhle
Cave
Burg Hohnstein
Burg Hohnstein
Castle
Großer Halben
Großer Halben
Peak
Hocksteinnadel
Hocksteinnadel
Peak
Kolosseum
Kolosseum
Peak
Auerhahnfels
Auerhahnfels
Peak
Riesenechse
Riesenechse
Peak
Brandpyramide
Brandpyramide
Peak
Berken-von-der-Duba-Wacht
Berken-von-der-Duba-Wacht
Peak
Ameisenwand
Ameisenwand
Peak
Polenz
Polenz
River
Anstand
Anstand
Peak
Gespaltene Zinne
Gespaltene Zinne
Peak
Begangsteigriff
Begangsteigriff
Peak
Mordgrund
Mordgrund
Valley
Polenztalbarbarine
Polenztalbarbarine
Peak
Dastellochturm
Dastellochturm
Peak
Viermännerturm
Viermännerturm
Peak
Loriturm
Loriturm
Peak
Kleine Brandscheibe
Kleine Brandscheibe
Peak
Brandscharte
Brandscharte
Valley
Schiffstellenbloß
Schiffstellenbloß
Valley
Tonne
Tonne
Peak
Glatter Steinturm
Glatter Steinturm
Peak
Thümmelgrotte
Thümmelgrotte
Cave
Hockstein
Hockstein
Ruins
Bärengarten
Bärengarten
Viewpoint
Hexe
Hexe
Peak
Haus 6
Haus 6
Castle
Wartenberg
Peak
Hocksteinturm
Peak
Steinbruchnadel
Peak
Polenzwacht
Peak
Halbenloch
Valley
Halbengrund
Valley
Schluchtturm
Peak
Clementine
Peak
Räumichtturm
Peak
Archipel
Peak
Panoramafels
Peak
Saugrundspitze
Peak
Neuwegwand
Peak
Silvesterturm
Peak
Eisenbahnerloch
Valley
Carolastein
Peak
Polenztalwächter
Peak
Hunskirchlerspitze
Peak
Forstgrabenwand
Peak
Tiefe Wand
Peak
Brandturm
Peak
Drillingsturm
Peak
Ziegenrückenturm
Peak
August
Peak
Auguste
Peak
Zeigefinger
Peak
Brandkopf
Peak
Brandkegel
Peak
Hafersackkrone
Peak
Ahornspitze
Peak
Speisekammer
Valley
Spanische Wand
Peak
Einsamer Stein
Peak
Spund
Peak
Verlassener Turm
Peak
Schwarzwildturm
Peak
Saugrundwächter
Peak
Carolahöhle
Cave
Tiefblickspitze
Peak
Geyergucke
Peak

Top sights

Hocksteinhöhle
Hocksteinhöhle
Cave
Kleiner Halben
Kleiner Halben
Peak
Blümelgrund
Blümelgrund
Valley
Brandscheibe
Brandscheibe
Peak
Ritterfelsen
Ritterfelsen
Viewpoint
Osterspitze
Osterspitze
Peak
Gautschgrotte
Gautschgrotte
Cave
Dezemberturm
Dezemberturm
Peak
Bärengartenscheibe
Bärengartenscheibe
Peak
Kleine Barbarine
Kleine Barbarine
Peak
Kobold
Kobold
Peak
Steinbruchturm
Steinbruchturm
Peak
Drachenkopf
Drachenkopf
Peak
Tiefer Grund
Tiefer Grund
Valley
Blockhaus
Blockhaus
Hut
Brandaussicht
Brandaussicht
Viewpoint
Ameise
Ameise
Peak
Hockstein
Hockstein
Peak
Hocksteinaussicht
Hocksteinaussicht
Viewpoint
Haus 1
Haus 1
Castle
Falkenwarte
Falkenwarte
Peak
Grüner Stein
Grüner Stein
Peak
Elefant
Elefant
Peak
Nashorn
Nashorn
Peak
Pantinenturm
Pantinenturm
Peak
Oberer Saugrund
Oberer Saugrund
Valley
Forstgrabenturm
Forstgrabenturm
Peak
Forstgraben
Forstgraben
Valley
Kaspers Bücherbude
Kaspers Bücherbude
Attraction
Diebshöhle
Diebshöhle
Cave
Burg Hohnstein
Burg Hohnstein
Castle
Großer Halben
Großer Halben
Peak
Hocksteinnadel
Hocksteinnadel
Peak
Kolosseum
Kolosseum
Peak
Auerhahnfels
Auerhahnfels
Peak
Riesenechse
Riesenechse
Peak
Brandpyramide
Brandpyramide
Peak
Berken-von-der-Duba-Wacht
Berken-von-der-Duba-Wacht
Peak
Ameisenwand
Ameisenwand
Peak
Polenz
Polenz
River
Anstand
Anstand
Peak
Gespaltene Zinne
Gespaltene Zinne
Peak
Begangsteigriff
Begangsteigriff
Peak
Mordgrund
Mordgrund
Valley
Polenztalbarbarine
Polenztalbarbarine
Peak
Dastellochturm
Dastellochturm
Peak
Viermännerturm
Viermännerturm
Peak
Loriturm
Loriturm
Peak
Kleine Brandscheibe
Kleine Brandscheibe
Peak
Brandscharte
Brandscharte
Valley
Schiffstellenbloß
Schiffstellenbloß
Valley
Tonne
Tonne
Peak
Glatter Steinturm
Glatter Steinturm
Peak
Thümmelgrotte
Thümmelgrotte
Cave
Hockstein
Hockstein
Ruins
Bärengarten
Bärengarten
Viewpoint
Hexe
Hexe
Peak
Haus 6
Haus 6
Castle
Wartenberg
Peak
Hocksteinturm
Peak
Steinbruchnadel
Peak
Polenzwacht
Peak
Halbenloch
Valley
Halbengrund
Valley
Schluchtturm
Peak
Clementine
Peak
Räumichtturm
Peak
Archipel
Peak
Panoramafels
Peak
Saugrundspitze
Peak
Neuwegwand
Peak
Silvesterturm
Peak
Eisenbahnerloch
Valley
Carolastein
Peak
Polenztalwächter
Peak
Hunskirchlerspitze
Peak
Forstgrabenwand
Peak
Tiefe Wand
Peak
Brandturm
Peak
Drillingsturm
Peak
Ziegenrückenturm
Peak
August
Peak
Auguste
Peak
Zeigefinger
Peak
Brandkopf
Peak
Brandkegel
Peak
Hafersackkrone
Peak
Ahornspitze
Peak
Speisekammer
Valley
Spanische Wand
Peak
Einsamer Stein
Peak
Spund
Peak
Verlassener Turm
Peak
Schwarzwildturm
Peak
Saugrundwächter
Peak
Carolahöhle
Cave
Tiefblickspitze
Peak
Geyergucke
Peak
Fee required
Hiking
Caves
Forests
Rivers
Views
Waterfalls
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Historic Sites

Popular times

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Frequently asked questions

What’s helpful to know about this trail?

Enjoy this 13.0-km circular trail near Hohnstein, Saxony. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 20 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

What is the expected weather this week for Polenz Valley Circular Route?

Expected weather for Polenz Valley Circular Route for the next 5 days is:
  • Sat 19 September - 18.7 degrees/showers
  • Sun 20 September - 14.8 degrees/clear
  • Mon 21 September - 13.5 degrees/clear
  • Tue 22 September - 15.5 degrees/clear
  • Wed 23 September - 17.7 degrees/clear

Where is Polenz Valley Circular Route located?

Polenz Valley Circular Route is a trail located in Saxon Switzerland National Park.

How hard is Polenz Valley Circular Route?

Polenz Valley Circular Route is considered a moderate hike that covers 13 km, with an elevation gain of 583 m. It takes about 4.5–5 hr to complete. Moderate trails often feature gradual climbs or obstacles like rocks or roots.

What is the elevation gain for Polenz Valley Circular Route?

Polenz Valley Circular Route is considered a moderate hike that covers 13 km, with an elevation gain of 583 m. It takes about 4.5–5 hr to complete. Moderate trails often feature gradual climbs or obstacles like rocks or roots.

Is Polenz Valley Circular Route a circular?

Polenz Valley Circular Route is a circular trail that covers 13 km, with an elevation gain of 583 m. It takes about 4.5–5 hr to complete. Circular trails have the same starting point and endpoint. You'll follow a single route without retracing your steps.

How long is Polenz Valley Circular Route?

Polenz Valley Circular Route is a circular trail that covers 13 km, with an elevation gain of 583 m. It takes about 4.5–5 hr to complete. Circular trails have the same starting point and endpoint. You'll follow a single route without retracing your steps.

Are dogs allowed on Polenz Valley Circular Route?

Dogs may be allowed on Polenz Valley Circular Route. Be sure to check regulations before heading out.

When is the best time of year to hike Polenz Valley Circular Route?

Polenz Valley Circular Route is open all year round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

How busy is Polenz Valley Circular Route?

According to trailgoers, Polenz Valley Circular Route is usually busy. Polenz Valley Circular Route is open all year round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

Are there scenic views at Polenz Valley Circular Route?

Yes, according to trailgoers, Polenz Valley Circular Route features multiple scenic viewpoints. Some of the viewpoints include Ritterfelsen, Brandaussicht, Hocksteinaussicht and Bärengarten.

Are there rivers at Polenz Valley Circular Route?

Yes, Polenz Valley Circular Route is near Polenz.

Are there forests at Polenz Valley Circular Route?

Yes, Polenz Valley Circular Route is a forest trail in Saxon Switzerland National Park.

Are there wildflowers at Polenz Valley Circular Route?

Yes, trailgoers have reported a variety of wildflower types on Polenz Valley Circular Route, though the specific types can vary from month to month.

Is there wildlife at Polenz Valley Circular Route?

Yes, many trailgoers have spotted wildlife at Polenz Valley Circular Route in Saxon Switzerland National Park. Always observe wildlife from a safe distance.

Is there a fee required at Polenz Valley Circular Route?

Yes, a fee is required at Polenz Valley Circular Route. Check local park resources for more information.
Last updated on 13 September 2026 at 04:02 GMT+0