Liechtensteinklamm


Useful Information

photography
Liechtensteinklamm, Austria. Public Domain.
photography
Liechtensteinklamm, Austria. Public Domain.
Location: Near Alpendorf, near St. Johann im Pongau.
A10 exit 47 Bischofshofen, B311 9 km to St. Johann im Pongau, exit St. Johann Süd.
(47.320029, 13.188135)
Open: MAY to SEP daily 9-18.
OCT daily 9-16.
[2022]
Fee: Adults EUR 11, Children (6-18) EUR 6, Children (0-5) free.
Gästekarte: Adults EUR 10, Children (6-18) EUR 5.
Groups (15+): Adults EUR 10, Children (6-18) EUR 5.
[2022]
Classification: GorgeGorge
Light: n/a
Dimension: L=4,000 m, D=300 m.
Guided tours: L=1,000 m.
V=130.000/a [2006] V=200.000/a [2019]
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:  
Address: Tourismusverband St. Johann im Pongau, Ing.-Ludwig-Pech-Str. 1, 5600 St. Johann/Pg., Tel: +43-6412-6036, Fax: +43-6412-6036-74. E-mail: contact
Information on weekends (MAY to OCT), Tel: +43-6412-8572.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1875 start of development by members of the Pongauer Alpenverein.
1876 renamed Liechtensteinklamm and opened to the public.
MAY-2017 collapse in the gorge, gorge closed.
11-JUN-2020 gorge reopened.

Description

photography
Liechtensteinklamm, Austria. Public Domain.
photography
Liechtensteinklamm, Austria. Public Domain.

Liechtensteinklamm is a narrow gorge formed by the Großarler Ache river. It is said to be one of the longest and deepest gorges in the Alps, with a total length of four kilometers and 300 m high vertical walls. It is visited on wooden trails and bridges, which are removed during winter.

The gorge was first developed by members of the Pongauer Alpenverein in 1875. At this time it was still called Großarler Klamm. But soon they ran out of money, so they asked Fürst Johann II. von Liechtenstein, who often hunted near Großarl. The sovereign donated 600 Gulden and for his generous donation the gorge was named Liechtensteinklamm after him.

Immediately the gorge became very popular, in the first year 12,000 people visited the gorge. This was quite exceptional at that time, and the gorge was popular until today. The operators say it was visited by more than 10 Million people during almost 150 years.

In May 2017 a collapse and rockfall destroyed the Tiefblickgrabenbrücke, one of the bridges. Fortunately no visitor was harmed, four visitors below the collapse returned to the entrance. 17 visitors above the collapse and were rescued by the Bergrettung (mountain rescue service) through an emergency exit. The road right above the gorge and the gorge trail were both closed. The gorge was closed for several years and the trail completely renovated. Catch nets and fences were installed to keep all falling rocks from the trails. Three new tunnels were also built, and bridges replaced by galleries cut into the rock. But the most spectacular addition is a huge spiral staircase which was named Helix. It allows to avoid the section with the dangerous rockfall. But it is also a great photo motif and one of the landmarks of the Liechtensteinklamm, its best seen from the outlook above the first step. It is now probably the most spectacular gorge in Austria, but also the most expensive. The renovation works cost the municipality St. Johann 6.7 Million Euro, and the entrance fee was drastically increased.

As the gorge is very popular we recommend an early visit, especially on weekends and during the summer months. The morning is much less crowded.


Liechtensteinklamm Gallery