--- title: "Pfaffendorf: To the plateau of the Pfaffenstein and around the Quirl" url: "https://www.saechsische-schweiz.de/en/tour/koenigstein-pfaffendorf-quirl-pfaffenstein" description: "Pfaffendorf Vereinshaus bus stop - Pfaffensteinweg - Nadelöhr - Barbarine - Klammweg - Oberer Kohlweg - Quirlpromenade - Diebskeller - Am Stallhübel - Querweg - Pfaffensteinweg - Pfaffendorf Vereinshaus bus stop" language: "en" type: "SportsActivityLocation" image: "https://dam.destination.one/2867231/2ad5257b480bae338d2423c0eea52166eb3904e218941927a911f0d6c5c794b2/.jpg" breadcrumb: "Root > Saxon Switzerland > Special > Destination.Data Details > Tour" --- GPX Share Pfaffendorf: To the plateau of the Pfaffenstein and around the Quirl ==================================================================== - 7.06 km long - Round trip - Difficulty: medium - Condition: medium - Great panorama - Hiking - 3:00 h - 7.06 km - 368 m - 368 m - 245 m - 417 m - 172 m - - Start: Stop Pfaffendorf Vereinshaus - Destination: Stop Pfaffendorf Vereinshaus The Quirl massif is known for its many caves. Exploring them is particularly exciting for children! Through the "eye of the needle" you can reach the Pfaffenstein, where there are many different views and interesting rock formations to discover. The discovery of the Barbarine - according to legend a petrified virgin - is exciting. Pfaffendorf Vereinshaus bus stop - Pfaffensteinweg - Nadelöhr - Barbarine - Klammweg - Oberer Kohlweg - Quirlpromenade - Diebskeller - Am Stallhübel - Querweg - Pfaffensteinweg - Pfaffendorf Vereinshaus bus stop Read more Good to know ------------ Pavements Unknown (38%) Asphalt (4%) Gravel (13%) Trail (4%) Path (41%) Best to visit suitable Depends on weather - Jan - Feb - Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec Directions We hike uphill on the **Pfaffensteinweg** (Malerweg) towards Pfaffenstein. At the foot of the table mountain, we have various options: The Malerweg takes us straight up through the eye of the needle, but if this is too steep for you, you can turn right onto the Bequemer Weg and take it up the Pfaffenstein from the other direction. The ascent through the **eye of the needle** leads up a few steps and finally up a ladder through a narrow hole in the rock to the plateau. The **Pfaffenstein** plateau was already inhabited around 3,000 years ago. This is confirmed by Stone Age and Bronze Age finds from archaeological excavations. Between 1896 and 1912, various stone flat axes, clay vessels, a millstone and a hearth came to light in the vicinity of today's mining operations. The miner Richard Keiler found two bronze arm rings in 1921. Further excavations were carried out on the plateau in 1967, during which more pottery and a grinding stone were found. There are many mysterious places to discover on the Pfaffenstein plateau, e.g. swirl holes, caves or old ruins, and the restaurant and viewing tower are also worth a visit. Behind the mountain restaurant, a detour leads to the **Barbarine**, which we should not miss. According to legend, this 43 m high bizarre rock needle is a girl turned to stone: Instead of going to church, she collected blueberries on the Pfaffenstein and was cursed by her mother in anger. After our visit to the Barbarine, we return to the mountain inn and choose the **gorge path** directly opposite as our descent (or take the comfortable path halfway between the Barbarine and the mountain inn). At the foot of the gorge path, we meet the Bequemer Weg and follow it, now also with the Malerweg, all the way down. On the way, we come across a plaque indicating the **Bronze Age rampart**: The 200-metre-long, semi-circular structure was probably intended to protect the only access to the plateau and was surrounded by a ditch. During archaeological investigations in 1959 and 1961, further pottery remains were found inside the rampart. We continue along the Malerweg to the **Quirl**. At its foot, we turn left and discover a sandstone trough carved out of a boulder. This was intended for a farmstead, but was never collected. We leave it on the left and walk around the Quirl on the beautiful Quirl promenade, which winds its way through the forest below the rock faces. Here we can admire a variety of weathered formations such as hourglasses and caves. We find the most impressive cave at the end of our tour: a short detour takes us to the **Diebskeller**. This two-storey layered joint cave was first mentioned in 1692. With a length of 28 meters, a width of 8 meters and a height of up to 4 meters, it is impressively large. The stone table in the middle of the cave from 1755 is said to have been set up for a meal during the hunt for August II. Now we return to the Malerweg trail, which we follow out of the forest until we reach the cross-path (marked with a green dot) on the right at the sports field. On this easy path, we walk along an avenue until we meet the Pfaffensteinweg again, which takes us back to the starting point of the hike. \[GPS updated 2026\] Read more Tour information - Cultural Interesting - Loop Road - Stop at an Inn - Summit Equipment Hiking shoes are recommended Read more Directions & Parking facilities **Getting there**From Bad Schandau via Gohrisch or Königstein to Pfaffendorf, from Pirna via Königstein. Read more **Parking** Pfaffendorf parking lot (Pfaffensteinweg), approx. 50 spaces, subject to charge (2024: car/bicycle: up to 1 hour € 0.50; up to 2 hours: € 2.00; day ticket: € 6.00) Read more **Public transportation** to the Pfaffendorf Vereinshaus stop Read more Additional information The Pfaffenstein is a nature reserve and part of the "Linkselbische Fels- und Waldgebiete" bird sanctuary. Read more Author´s Tip / Recommendation of the author This hiking tour is exciting for children! There is a viewing tower and refreshment stop on the Pfaffenstein. Read more Safety guidelines Sure-footedness and sturdy footwear are recommended. The eye of the needle and the gorge path are not suitable for dogs due to the steps and ladders. Here you can take the comfortable path. In the **Pfaffenstein nature reserve**, dogs are not allowed to leave the marked paths or the existing steps and places. Read more Map  **Hiking and cycling map**  "Vordere Sächsische Schweiz" with the towns of Wehlen, spa town Rathen, Hohnstein, Königstein, Gohrisch Scale: 1 : 15,000, GPS-capable, weatherproof - tear-resistant Order here: Read more Nearby ------ View on map - Event - Lecture/reading/discussion - Christmas Concert - Lecture - Place of interest - Direct sellers - Guided tour - Viewpoint/viewing tower - Tours 11.81 km - Hiking 4.38 km - Hiking 17.94 km - Hiking Contact 01824 Königstein/Sächs. Schw. Download GPX file - -