Via Ferrata for starters: Nun's Climb and Alpine Ridge (Germany)

Via ferratas near Poland for beginners

Location: Germany, Zittauer Gebirge – right on the border with Poland and the Czech Republic.
Route 1: Nun's Climb (Nonnensteig), Jonsdorf, Germany. Difficulty: C/D. For me, the perfect first via ferrata – you can skip the hard section. Time: 1.5–2h.
Route 2: Alpine Ridge (Alpiner Grat), Oybin, Germany. Difficulty: C. A classic ridge. The route is short, but packed, physical, and seriously exposed. Time: about 1h.
Time: You can comfortably do both in one day. Nun's in an hour or two, Alpine in about an hour.
Rock type: Sandstone (warning: climbing after rain is strictly forbidden!).

When we think of via ferratas, the mind jumps straight to the majestic Italian Dolomites or the Austrian Alps. But what if I told you the perfect place to start your iron-road adventure sits a stone's throw from the Polish border?

I'm taking you to the Zittauer Gebirge in Germany, where you can knock out two excellent routes in a single day. For me this trip meant something special – that was where I clipped my carabiners onto a steel cable for the first time.

Baptism of fire: Nun's Climb (Nonnensteig) – a via ferrata for beginners

When we parked near Jonsdorf (Zittauer Gebirge, Saxony) and I put on a via ferrata kit for the first time in my life, I felt my heart kick a little faster. I threw a banana and a bar into my pack and topped up the hydration bladder. We set off, and after a few minutes of walking we were already at the foot of the rocks. For a moment I watched carefully how the others did it. How they adjusted harnesses, pulled on gloves, buckled helmets. Meanwhile I stretched my hips, warmed up my wrists and knees, and listened to tips from friends. I clipped into the steel cable and started up, and everything clicked – this was exactly what I'd been looking for.

Nonnensteig (also known as Nun's Climb, or the via ferrata on Nonnenfelsen) is a short, beautifully routed, and varied line that is perfect as your first via ferrata. It's graded C/D: demanding enough to feel the adrenaline and the exposure, but accessible enough not to scare off first-timers.

The route starts in the forest and pulls you into the mood right away. The beginning (the starting ladder plus the first few metres) can nudge your heart rate up, but you find a rhythm quickly. The sandstone here is beautiful, the rock formations are scenic, and the line is thoughtfully laid out – nowhere is there boredom or fake "climbing for the sake of climbing."

The whole via ferrata is only about 350 metres long with around 60 m of elevation, and the climb itself takes about 1h (add breaks and 'traffic jams'). Perfect for a first time – you won't wear yourself out, and you'll still come down with a huge grin.

The biggest highlights of Nonnensteig

The hanging rope bridge – even though it comes at the very end, it's the absolute highlight of the route! Spanned between two rocks, with a dozen or so metres of air under your feet. Crossing it is pure adrenaline. A perfect photo spot – when you stand in the middle and feel the rope sag a little… your pulse goes up, but the smile stays for a long time.

The hanging ladder bridge – the second hanging feature (or actually the first – because it's at the start of the route), adding fun and variety.

The variety of terrain – that's what makes the biggest impression:

solid rungs and steel cables,
short but exciting vertical walls (including the ladder start),
narrow passages between the rocks (proper sandstone fun!).

That's why the route is never monotonous. Something new happens every few metres.

Alpine Ridge (Alpiner Grat): more exposure on the same day

Just a dozen or so minutes' drive from Jonsdorf, in the village of Oybin, Alpine Ridge (Alpiner Grat) is waiting. And since Nun's Climb had taken us just under two hours including the approach, the decision was easy – we keep going.

What makes it stand out? Alpiner Grat is a classic ridge. The route is short, but packed and seriously exposed. It asks for a bit more arm strength and trust in your shoes on the smooth sandstone friction. Doing it after the warm-up on Nun's Climb was a bullseye. I already had a feel for the gear, I knew how to move my body on the cable, so I could fully enjoy the climbing and the incredible views of Oybin castle.

Two routes like this in one day is the perfect weekend-trip script. You get back to the car with pleasantly tired forearms and a huge smile on your face.

And if you've still got legs left...

...a great idea is to visit a few spots along the way! The Zittauer Gebirge is a real pocket of stunning views and sandstone curiosities, and after the effort on the ferrata it's nice to slow the pace a little.

Mushroom-shaped rock formations (Kelchsteine – the Chalice Rocks) A stone's throw from the centre of Oybin, along the road toward Lückendorf, giant blood-red sandstone "mushrooms" rise out of the ground. They're a dozen or so metres tall and their wind-carved shapes are hugely impressive. The walk-in is trivial, and the photos here come out otherworldly!
- Parking: A small, free forest car park sits about 300 metres from the rocks.
- Admission: None – the attraction is completely free and open to everyone.
- Location: See Kelchsteine on Google Maps
The castle and monastery ruins in Oybin (Burg und Kloster Oybin) If you glanced down into the valley while climbing Alpine Ridge, you almost certainly noticed this building. These spectacular Gothic ruins are worked into a huge rock – in places they look as if they literally grow out of the mountain. For a slow wander through the nooks, courtyards, staircases, and viewpoints, set aside about two hours.
- Parking: In the centre of Oybin there are several paid car parks (e.g. P1 Zentrum or by the narrow-gauge railway station). The cost is usually 5 EUR for the whole day. Bring coins for the meter!
- Admission: Entry to the castle grounds is paid. In the summer season (April to October) an adult ticket costs 9 EUR and a reduced ticket 8 EUR. In winter the prices are a little lower (6 EUR and 5 EUR respectively).
- Location: See the Oybin ruins on Google Maps

Practical guide: before you set off on a via ferrata (FAQ)

Where to park?

At Nun's Climb there is a paid and very convenient car park with a toilet and a nearby bar.

At Alpiner Grat the parking is informal and small, and it can sometimes be hard to find a spot.

Is Nun's Climb (Nonnensteig) suitable for beginners?

Nun's Climb (Nonnensteig) is a great via ferrata for ambitious beginners and as a warm-up. It's varied – it has bridges, vertical climbs, spots wide and comfortable enough that you can sit down for lunch, and the hardest section up to the summit (with a slight overhang) can be skipped via an alternative line with equally beautiful views.

Is Alpine Ridge (Alpiner Grat) suitable for beginners?

Alpine Ridge (Alpiner Grat): It asks for a bit more strength and comfort on rock, but for fit people who aren't afraid of heights it's fully doable as the next step.

What gear do you need for a via ferrata?

On a via ferrata you must have: a helmet, a harness, and a lanyard with an energy absorber. We also strongly recommend climbing gloves and a pack with a hydration bladder.

When is the best time to go to Nun's Climb (Nonnensteig)?

Only on dry, sunny days! Climbing on sandstone after rain is extremely dangerous and legally forbidden.

How long does the whole Nonnensteig via ferrata take?

The climbing itself usually takes about 45 minutes. Keep in mind that on summer weekends the route gets congested, and waiting at individual obstacles can stretch the whole outing to nearly two hours.

How do you check whether Via Ferrata Nonnensteig is open?

To check whether Nonnensteig is open, start with the official notices on the DAV Zittau section website, which reports the start of the season, technical work, and periodic closures linked to bird-nesting protection. Regardless of the organisational status, there is an absolute ban on climbing sandstone in wet conditions and after rain, because safety drops sharply and the soft rock can be damaged. Alongside the official guidance, keep an eye on current reports and first-hand accounts on mountain social media and navigation apps, so you can realistically judge conditions on the route.

What else is there around Via Ferrata Nonnensteig?

After the climb you can take in the panorama of the Lusatian Mountains from a purpose-built viewing platform. You can visit the mushroom-shaped rock formations (Kelchsteine – the Chalice Rocks) and the castle and monastery ruins in Oybin (Burg und Kloster Oybin). Anyone looking for more climbing can head to the resort of Oybin, a dozen or so minutes' drive away, where Alpine Ridge (Alpiner Grat) is waiting – another via ferrata.

More: see the beginner's guide to via ferratas.

And if you're looking for inspiration for a longer trip, check out my (video) reports from Lake Garda, the Dolomites, or Austria's Donnerkogel:

See you on the trail!