Heilige Stiege, Via ferrata in Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge, Germany.
Heilige Stiege is a steel stairway with over 900 steps and ladders that climbs through sandstone rock formations in Sächsische Schweiz. The route ascends roughly 190 meters and connects to several hiking trails that explore this climbing region.
A stone stairway was first documented here in 1698 and served as an important route for visitors to the area. The present steel structure was built in 1969 to provide safe and lasting access up the cliffs.
Local climbing groups regularly use this stairway, and it serves as an important gateway to the rock formations for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors experience a living tradition of rock access that remains central to how people engage with the surrounding cliffs.
The ascent begins in Schmilka village and requires only basic hiking gear, since the route is well-marked and secured throughout. Most visitors need about 30 minutes for the full climb, making it a manageable section of a longer walk.
This stairway contains more steps than any other stairway across the entire Sächsische Schweiz region. As visitors climb, they notice how the rock formation gradually becomes narrower and more tightly enclosed.
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