Die Burgen des Polenztals: Hohnstein und Hockstein

• Forest Closure Due to Storm Damage: Following a storm on July 31, the area is closed for cleanup efforts and due to the danger posed by fallen trees. For more information: https://nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de/warnungen/eilmeldung-waldsperrung Moderately difficult hike. Good basic fitness required. Predominantly easy paths. Sure-footedness required. Starting point is Hohnstein market square. From here, first walk down the narrow Rathausstraße - the castle is on the right - and then turn right onto the "Bärengarten" path. The blue line markings lead you down into the Schindergraben. The name comes from the original occupation of the "Schinder" or "Abdeckers", who gave sick animals the "Gradenstoß" and disposed of the carcasses in lonely areas - an important task to prevent epidemics. The Schindergraben flows into the Polenz valley. After crossing the Polenz, turn right (marked with a red dot). After a few minutes, there is a path on the left up to the Hockstein (marked with a blue and green line). It goes through the Wolfsschlucht gorge - a very narrow and impressive crevice between the rocks. At the top is the Hockstein, with a rest pavilion and impressive viewpoint. There used to be a castle on the Hockstein. The only access was through a narrow crevice - the Wolfsschlucht gorge. This made the fortress easy to guard and ideal for defending in the event of an attack. The route continues over the stone Teufelsgrundbrücke bridge. At the next crossroads, the path turns left and follows the Knotenweg (green line), which later crosses a road. Continue to follow the Knotenweg (at the next crossroads without colored trail markings, turn left downhill) until you reach Koppelsgrund. Turn left here (Füllholzelweg, red line), then cross the road again and descend into the Polenztal valley. At the bottom, turn right to Waltersdorfer Mühle, cross the bridge behind the mill and continue left to Neuweg (red line). Follow it uphill through the forest to the beginning of Hohnstein and then back to the market. A visit to the impressive Hohnstein Castle is recommended on the way there or back. Hohnstein Castle was built in 1236 and rises 140 meters above the Polenztal valley. The rock faces fall steeply down into the valley on three sides. The only access is via the market square of the small town of Hohnstein. 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 Wolf's Gorge, there are numerous steps to negotiate and it is quite narrow, so the tour is only suitable for dogs to a limited extent.