Elbe Sandstone Mountains

Elbe Sandstone Mountains
Lilienstein, one of several small mesas in the Saxon part of the Elbe Sandstone Mountains
Highest point
PeakDěčínský Sněžník
Elevation723 m (2,372 ft)
Coordinates50°47′44″N 14°6′25″E / 50.79556°N 14.10694°E / 50.79556; 14.10694
Geography
Elbe Sandstone Mountains
Elbe Sandstone Mountains
Elbe Sandstone Mountains
Elbe Sandstone Mountains
Countries
  • Germany
  • Czech Republic
States
  • Saxony
  • Bohemia
Geology
Rock ageCretaceous
Rock typeSandstone

The Elbe Sandstone Mountains, also called the Elbe Sandstone Highlands (German: Elbsandsteingebirge, pronounced [ɛlpˈz̥antʃtaɪnɡəˌbɪʁɡə]; Czech: Děčinská vrchovina, pronounced [ˈɟɛtʃɪnskaː ˈvr̩xovɪna]), are a mountain range straddling the border between the state of Saxony in southeastern Germany and the North Bohemian region of the Czech Republic, with about three-quarters of the area lying on the German side. In both countries, core parts of the mountain range have been declared a national park. The name derives from the sandstone which was carved by erosion. The river Elbe breaks through the mountain range in a steep and narrow valley.

The Saxon Switzerland and Bohemian Switzerland national parks, known also as Saxon-Bohemian Switzerland, are located within the territory of Elbe Sandstone Mountains.