Nothklamm

Useful Information

Location:	GeoDorf Gams
Open:	MAY to OCT daily 9-17. Begin and end of season weather depending. Austrian Summer School Holidays daily 8-17. [2020]
Fee:	Adults EUR 5.50, Children (6-15) EUR 2.50, Children (0-5) free, Family (2+2) EUR 13.50. Groups (10+): Adults EUR 4.50, Children (6-15) EUR 2. Season card: Adults EUR 11, Children (6-15) EUR 5, Children (0-5) free, Family (2+2) EUR 30. [2020]
Classification:	Gorge
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	L=700m
Guided tours:
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	GeoRama, 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.

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.