Saxony Switzerland

Saxony Switzerland is a mountainous region and national park in the Sächsische Schweiz (translated as Saxon Switzerland) district located in the southern part of the German state of Saxony. It is part of a long mountain range known as the Elbe Sandstone Mountains that extends to the Czech Republic.

As early as the 18th century, Saxony Switzerland was already a popular tourist destination in Germany. People from Hamburg, Berlin, and other urban centers regularly travel to this scenic spot during the summer holidays. Today, Saxony Switzerland still draws tourists and nature lovers.

One of the attractions in Saxony Switzerland is its climbing peaks which number to more than a thousand. The ground is made up mostly of layers of sandstone, an indication that this terrain was once part of the ocean floor millions of years ago. Other outdoor activities which can be enjoyed in the area are mountain biking, hiking, spelunking, raft trips, and boating.

As a protected area, some parts of the national park are off limits to people. Some of the forest-covered lands are left off without human intervention. There are plans to increase the inviolate areas to 75 percent which means that the allowed terrains for sports and other activities will be further limited. There are currently 250 miles of path alloted for hiking, 31 miles for biking, and 755 climbing spots that allows for more than 12,000 routes.

Saxony Switzerland is a haven for a diverse variety of flora and fauna. Some of the vegetation found in the ravines are the double-foliaceous violet, the arctic starflower, and the norway spruce. There are also various species of ferns, pinewoods, and cowberry and bilberry bushes.

The numerous hollows and rock holes are the typical nesting places of certain species of birds found in Saxony Switzerland. The endangered peregrine, the kestrel, the eagle owl, and the raven are a few of the species which thrive in the area. The smaller holes and crevices are homes to several bat species.