Dahner Felsenland

Red sandstone towers in the Palatinate Forest, the Dahner Felsenland is a region of striking freestanding rock pillars and buttresses around the town of Dahn in south-west Germany, at the heart of one of the country's largest forests and a landscape shaped by dramatic erosion.

The rock is Buntsandstein, warm red sandstone weathered into dramatic towers, mushroom shapes and walls, climbed on a mix of traditional and bolted routes. Grades run from easy beginner lines to hard modern testpieces, with plenty in the middle for everyday cragging. As with all soft sandstone, climbing on wet rock is discouraged to preserve the fragile holds, and local ethics guide the placing of protection and the use of chalk on this delicate stone.

The setting is deeply scenic: dense forest, ruined hilltop castles such as Alt-Dahn and Berwartstein perched dramatically on the rocks, marked hiking trails and the quiet villages of the Wasgau. The distinctive shapes of the towers make even the walk between crags memorable, and approaches are generally short and easy through the trees.

Spring through autumn is the season, the forest offering summer shade and the sandstone drying reasonably after rain, though a settled dry spell is best; winter is cold and damp. Dahn and surrounding villages provide affordable guesthouses and hearty Palatinate food and wine. For climbers who enjoy towers and traditional sandstone character, the Dahner Felsenland is a rewarding, atmospheric destination that also makes a fine base for walkers in the family.