When Is the Best Time
This is a quick but challenging via ferrata. Climbing experiences are essential if you like to do "Rübezahlstiege". Check the weather forecast the day before because good weather conditions without snow, ice, and rain are essential. Otherwise, it’ll be slippery when climbing; so, safety first! Best months for hiking in combination with climbing are March until October. If it was rainy, the day before it is not advisable to start too early. The sandstone has to dry; otherwise, it can break while climbing. This climbing trail is not well known. It’s almost guaranteed to climb up alone.
Best Months to Visit
Location and Tips
This is the most difficult "Stiege" in the Elbe Sandstone Range. To translate Stiege in English, it is similar to a staircase but, in this case, without the stairs. It is only for experienced hikers and climbers. If you can't manage the beginning, the first part of climbing, you should return it’s more difficult in the end. The chimney is the most exciting part. It’s a short climbing of half an hour but difficult. It would be best if you do not have any fear of heights for this tour.
Park your car in Schmilka. You can park for free after the Café Richter (btw delicious cake) direction Czech Republic border. Parking is limited and fills up quickly during weekends; arrive here before midday. Several hikes start in Schmilka, and you get the best food and beer here as well. Marked the trailhead at google. On the left is an organic bakery offering bread and cake and on the right is a beer garden. We ate here four times and never got disappointed. They offer excellent quality.
Finding "Rübezahlstiege" is tricky. Follow the signs with the capital letter: R. The “Stiege” starts in the climber’s area. It’s a short but challenging one with very few iron bails. Proper footwear with a firm sole is helpful for this adventure. After roughly half an hour, you have to climb into a dark and narrow chimney. It was too narrow to carry a backpack. The way out is to the left, although it looks like it goes to the right. When reaching the top, continue hiking to one of the many other trails. We had to leave and travel back home; therefore, we hiked back on "Heilige Stiege"; a steep descent with iron ladders and staircases more than 700 steps.
