It extends over an area of approximately 45 square kilometres to the edges of neighbouring Dürröhsdorf-Dittersbach in the rural district of Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge.
Typical of the upland are gently rolling to hilly areas, featuring a fragmented and variable structure with long ridges, low crests and shallow valleys.
In the southwestern periphery, deep, narrow valleys cut into the plateau, where steep streams flow to the Elbe.
Together with the Dresden Elbe valley, parts of the Schönfeld Upland have formed a contiguous protected area since 4 July 1974.
[2] The local transport company Hochlandexpress, located in Weißig, and the Hochlandverlag (publishing house) in Pappritz are both named after the Schönfeld Upland.