Nothklamm

Useful Information

Location:	Akogel Str. 80, 8922 Österreich. (47.6677982, 14.7952523)
Open:	MAY to OCT daily 9-17. Begin and end of season weather depending. Austrian Summer School Holidays daily 8-17. [2026]
Fee:	Adults EUR 10, Children (6-15) EUR 7, Children (0-5) free, Family (2+2) EUR 27, Dog EUR 5. Groups (10+): Adults EUR 8.50, Children (6-15) EUR 5.90. [2026]
Classification:	Gorge Natur- und Geopark Steirische Eisenwurzen
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	L=700m
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	GeoDorf Gams, Gams bei Hieflau 145, 8922 Gams bei Hieflau, Tel: +43-3633-2201-50. E-mail:
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

Description

The Nothklamm is the gorge of the Gamsbach (Gams brook) at the northeast end of Gams village. The gorge is crossed by a single lane gravel road which is closed for vehicles but free to walk. The Nothklamm or Nothsteg is a wooden trail which was built below the road but several meters above the river. It is most of the time attached to the vertical cliff of the gorge and there are several bridges. While the gravel road is easily accessible from the Kraushöhle car park, as it is simply a continuation of the road to the car park, you have to turn left in the village to reach the Nothsteg and park in the car park of the Parkbad. This is also where you will find the Geowerkstadt, a historic building offering various programmes for groups related to regional geology.

At the end of the gorge is the Kugelmühle (rock mill). The power of the water was used with a waterwheel to mill rocks. In tumblers they were moved around until they became polished spheres. To get a good sphere the rocks were selected to be alread rounded and consist of a suitable rock. The best rocks are nopt too hard, have a nice colour and structure and definitely no cracks, which would break apart. If the rocks are not round enough they are rounded manually with a hammer. Then they are placed in the circular ledge of the millstone and covered by a second millstone with a ledge. The upper millstone can be made of rock or wood. A part of the water is used to cool the rocks and flush away the rock powder. Depending on the original form and the hardness the process takes a few days.

Gams bei Hieflau is located in the Natur- und Geopark Steirische Eisenwurzen (Styrian Eisenwurzen Nature and Geopark) and has a so-called Geodorf (geovillage). This is a group of facilities related to geology located in Gams along the Gamsbach stream. These include the aforementioned Geowerkstadt (Geoworkshop), the Nothklamm (Nothklamm gorge), the Nothsteg, which is also part of the 3 km long Geopath with its 15 stations, and the Kraushöhle. The Georama is located in the attic of the municipal office in the centre of the village and is a geological museum that introduces visitors to the geology of the region. Unfortunately, however, it can only be visited by groups with advance booking.