Horní Skály

Horní Skály is a group of eight sandstone rock towers rising above Hrádek nad Nisou (known in Polish as Gródek nad Nysą), right at the point where Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany meet. The towers sit at elevations between roughly 470 and 520 meters, on the southwestern flank of the long Hřebeny ridge, whose highest point reaches 534 meters. The site lies in the easternmost part of the Lužické hory (Lusatian Mountains) Protected Landscape Area, about 200 meters in a straight line west of the Horní Sedlo saddle.

The individual towers — Velká and Malá Smrtka, Liberecká věž, Gahlerova věž, Cvičná věž, Dvojče, Sokol and Zub — have long been familiar names to climbers from the region. The formation is also known under its German name, Oberwegsteine, a reminder of the multicultural history of this border area.

How do you get to Horní Skály?

A green-marked forest path leads to the rocks, branching off from a hiking junction on the small road between Horní Sedlo and Černá Louží. The easiest approach is from central Hrádek nad Nisou, heading toward the Hřebeny ridge; from the nearest roadside parking, the walk usually takes somewhere between fifteen and thirty minutes uphill through the forest. An international educational trail called "Lužické a Žitavské hory" also passes through the site, with stop number 6 dedicated specifically to rock climbing — worth a short pause to read about the local geology and history. The area additionally forms part of the Via Czechia – North Trail, popular with hikers covering longer stretches through the Lusatian Mountains.

What will you see there?

Eight distinct rock towers stand out clearly against the surrounding forest, forming a natural maze of narrow paths and passages between them. The sandstone faces show visible signs of erosion and carry numerous climbing routes established here since the early 20th century, making Horní Skály one of the older climbing areas in the Lusatian Mountains. Even without climbing gear, it's worth walking around the individual towers — from the Hřebeny ridge, near its highest point at 534 meters, there are views over the surrounding hills and the Lusatian Nisa river valley. It makes for a short but scenic walk with a genuine geological point of interest.

Who is this place for?

Climbers will find classic, long-established sandstone routes here, marked and documented by the Czech Mountaineering Association. Hikers will appreciate the quiet forest trail and the option of combining the visit with a stop in Hrádek nad Nisou itself — a town sitting directly in the so-called Trojzemí, the tripoint where Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany meet. That makes it easy to pair a trip to Horní Skály with a short cross-border excursion.

When should you visit?

Spring and autumn are the best times to visit, offering comfortable temperatures for both climbing and longer walks along the ridge, with the clearest views from the upper parts of the rocks. Summer can bring more visitors, especially climbing groups on weekends. In winter, the sandstone surfaces can become slippery and hazardous after rain or frost, so without proper gear it's best to stick to walking around the formation rather than climbing.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need climbing experience to visit Horní Skály? No — the rocks themselves are reached via a public hiking trail, and walking around the towers requires no climbing equipment. The climbing routes are an additional draw for those with the right skills and gear.

How long does it take to walk there from Hrádek nad Nisou? Depending on the starting point, the approach typically takes between fifteen and thirty minutes on foot, mostly along a forest track heading toward the Hřebeny ridge.

Are there other attractions nearby worth combining into one trip? Yes — the area sits in the tripoint region shared by Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany, and the "Lužické a Žitavské hory" educational trail runs through it with further viewpoints and geological stops along the Hřebeny ridge.

Does the rock formation have any alternative names? Yes, German-language sources refer to it as Oberwegsteine, reflecting the historical, multi-ethnic past of the Lusatian Mountains region.