The Winterstein is located in the almost unpopulated hinterland of Saxon Switzerland above the dry valley of the Großer Zschand with the crags of the Bärfangwänden in front of it. A few kilometres to the east along the Großer Zschand is the Zeughaus (armoury). West of the Winterstein runs the Kleiner Zschand valley, overshadowed by the massif of the Großer Winterberg. Immediately in front of the rock massif to the south is the free-standing climbing pinnacle of Wintersteinwächter.