Core Zone National Park Saxon Switzerland

Core Zone

Description & Map

Summary

23 % of the Saxon Switzerland National Park is designated as a core zone. As part of nature zone A, there is no directing or utilising intervention in nature here, only occasional intervention to maintain the paths. Access to the core zone is only permitted on marked paths (unlike in the rest of the national park, where all paths may be used regardless of their markings).

Description

Nature zone A, which includes the core zone, serves as a resting area for nature. In order to minimise disturbance to animals and plants in the national park, access to the core zone is only permitted on selected marked paths. This is to ensure that animals have safe areas available to them where they can retreat from humans and, for example, forage for food or raise their offspring undisturbed. The flora benefits from the stricter path regulations by minimal damage through trampling and erosion. Nature should be able to develop here as uninfluenced as possible - with humans as guests and witnesses to this development.

General information

Location Germany - Saxony - Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge
Website https://www.nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de/
Area 21.77km²
DtP ID a812a560-45ef-4c5d-b9cf-76e3fcfff3db

Responsible organizations

Name and division Nationalpark- und Forstverwaltung Sächsische Schweiz
Website https://www.nationalpark-saechsische-schweiz.de/
Address
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An der Elbe 4
01814 Bad Schandau
Germany
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Current information

do_not_disturb_on Closure of hiking trail below Wettinweg June 24, 2026 - Aug. 31, 2026 (preliminary) The hiking trail below the Wettinweg has to remain closed until further notice due to fallen trees as well as the danger of more trees falling. Please use Wettinweg instead. show details
error Hiking trail through Kohlichtgraben currently impassable June 3, 2026 - Dec. 31, 2027 (preliminary) The marked section of the hiking trail through the Kohlichtgraben is currently blocked by fallen trees. As the affected section is private forest, the trail cannot be cleared by the National Park and Forestry Administration, and there is currently no prospect of it being cleared in the short term. It is therefore strongly recommended to avoid this section and take the yellow line and the road via Goßdorf instead. This also applies to the Malerweg. For Malerweg hikers, this extends the route by 3.6 km. Alternatively, the section via Waitzdorf can be omitted by instead hiking from the Brandstufen on the blue dash trail (ZW, E3 and EB). This takes you through the Tiefer Grund via the Frinztalmühle and along the Sebnitz to Kohlmühle. This shortens the route by about half a kilometre. Link to route: https://mapy.com/s/cohelopofe show details
do_not_disturb_on Brandkopf April 8, 2026 - Aug. 15, 2026 show details
do_not_disturb_on Hunskirchlerspitze April 8, 2026 - Aug. 15, 2026 show details
do_not_disturb_on Dastellochturm April 8, 2026 - Aug. 15, 2026 show details
do_not_disturb_on Amselgrundturm April 3, 2026 - Aug. 15, 2026 show details
do_not_disturb_on Promon April 3, 2026 - Aug. 15, 2026 show details
do_not_disturb_on Tümpelgrundwächter Jan. 15, 2026 - Aug. 15, 2026 show details
error Impassable trails in the Kleiner Zschand area Jan. 1, 2024 - Dec. 31, 2027 (preliminary) Due to the acute bark beetle infestation, the stability of the dead spruce stands has been greatly reduced. Throughout the national park area, dead trees and collapsing deadwood pose a very high risk on many paths. This is why some paths are currently declared impassable. For your own safety, please refrain from using the Bärfangwände ascent, the Gehackter Weg as well as the upper part of the Hintergründel (upwards of Marienhöhle) until the situation has eased. It is not permitted to walk on the areas outside the paths. show details
do_not_disturb_on Closure of Neurathen Castle Sept. 1, 2023 - Dec. 31, 2027 (preliminary) Due to safety concerns, the Neurathen castle has to stay closed until further notice. show details

Wildlife

Fauna

Wanderfalke

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Fauna

Uhu

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Fauna

Luchs

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Fauna

Fischotter

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Fauna

Europäischer Biber

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Fauna

Mopsfledermaus

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landscape

Habitat

Trockene europäische Heiden

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deceased

Flora

Gewöhnliche Krähenbeere

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landscape

Habitat

Silikatfelsen mit Felsspaltenvegetation

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owl

Fauna

Bachneunauge

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owl

Fauna

Wolf

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owl

Fauna

Lachs

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owl

Fauna

Schwarzstorch

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owl

Fauna

Wasseramsel

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Rules

This protected area lies within: Sächsische Schweiz, National Park. Please also consider the rules for this area.

Entry behavior

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Entering the area is only allowed on

Designated paths/places

Only marked paths are allowed to be used.

dtp_enteringoffthebeatenpath_forbidden_regular

Entering off the beaten path is forbidden

Snow activities

dtp_wintersport_allowed_regular

dtp_designatedpathsplaces_allowed_regular
Winter sport is only allowed on

Designated paths/places

Horse riding activities

dtp_harnessedvehicles_forbidden_regular

Harnessed vehicles is forbidden

Motorized activities

dtp_motorvehicle_allowed_regular

dtp_officiallypublicdedicatedstreetsplaces_allowed_regular
Motor vehicle is only allowed on

Officially public dedicated streets/places

Water activities

dtp_watersport_forbidden_regular

Water sport is forbidden

Mountain activities

dtp_climbing_allowed_regular

dtp_designatedpathsplaces_allowed_regular
Climbing is only allowed on

Designated paths/places when it is Dryness

Climbing is only allowed if the rock is dry (at least 24 hours after rain on a warm day). Don't use chalk or other chemical supplies! New climbing routes have to be installed from bottom to top.

Stay activities

dtp_camping_forbidden_regular

Camping is forbidden

dtp_campingbivouac_forbidden_regular

Camping/Bivouac is forbidden

dtp_campingvehicletrailer_forbidden_regular

Camping (vehicle/trailer) is forbidden

Air activities

dtp_airsport_forbidden_regular

Air sport (starting and landing) is forbidden

Take-offs, landings and the operation of aircraft at an altitude of less than 600 metres are prohibited.

dtp_dronesmodelplanes_forbidden_regular

Drones/model planes is forbidden

Starten, Land und das Betreiben von Luftfahrzeugen in einer Höhe von unter 600 Meter sind verboten

General behavior

dtp_disposingofwaste_forbidden_regular

Disposing of waste is forbidden

dtp_fire_forbidden_regular

Fire is forbidden

dtp_dogswithleash_allowed_regular

Dogs with leash is allowed

dtp_smoking_forbidden_regular

Smoking is forbidden

dtp_cuttingorinjuringtrees_forbidden_regular

Cutting or injuring trees is forbidden

dtp_collectingplants_forbidden_regular

Collecting plants is forbidden

dtp_mushroomcollecting_allowed_regular

dtp_designatedpathsplaces_allowed_regular
Mushroom collecting is only allowed on

Designated paths/places

Gentle removal is permitted as long as the marked path is not left.

dtp_collectingmineralsfossils_forbidden_regular

Collecting minerals/fossils is forbidden

dtp_feedanimals_forbidden_regular

Feeding animals is forbidden

It is forbidden to feed, disturb or injure wild animals.

dtp_swimming_forbidden_regular

Swimming is forbidden

dtp_bathinganimals_forbidden_regular

Bathing animals is forbidden

dtp_noisetaperecordersplayers_forbidden_regular

Noise (tape recorders, players) is forbidden

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