Pirkner Klamm

Pirknerklamm


Useful Information

Location: 9781 Oberdrauburg.
In the Drau valley halfway between Lienz and Greifenberg. B 100 (E66) at Oberdrauburg turn south on B110, after the Drau bridge turn right and follow signs to Unterpirkach. Starting point is at the bridge across the Pirknerbach between Unterpirkach and Oberpirkach.
(46.756972, 12.919108)
Open: no restrictions.
[2022]
Fee: free.
[2022]
Classification: GorgeGorge
Light: n/a
Dimension: A=650 m asl.
Guided tours: self guided, L=2 km, VR=200 m, D=2.5 h, Difficulty=KS 3 (C, bzw. 3).
Photography: allowed
Accessibility: no
Bibliography:
Address: Pirkner Klamm
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

1986 the whole brook Pirknerbach declared a Nature Monument, including the gorge.
2007 Pirknerklamm via ferrata built by ÖTK Oberdrauburg and Alpin Center Lienz.

Description

The Pirkner Klamm or Pirknerklamm is formed by the Pirknerbach (Pirkner Brook), a right tributary of the Drau river, which washed its way through the Gailtal Alps. This is not a tourist gorge with trails, it's a quite popular Klettersteig (via ferrata). The via ferrata starts at the lower end of the gorge and leads its conquerors over great rope bridges and a sporty route to the Regenbogenfall (rainbow fall). The waterfall was named because a rainbow can almost always be seen there due to the incoming sunlight hitting the mist of the waterfall. The via ferrata is 2 km long, has a height difference of 200 m, and takes about 2.5 hours. It requires climbing gear, helmet, physical fitness and climbing skills. A harness, sling and carabiner are the absolute minimum for climbing protection. Surefootedness and a head for heights are an absolute must.

As this is a via ferrata, there are other rules than for tourist gorges, there are no open hours and no entrance fees. Austrians are well-used to mountains and climbing, and they are convinced people are able to decide if they are able to make it. It is common sense to go only on good weather in the months between June and October, because in winter everything is icy, in spring there are floods, and it is also very dangerous in bad weather. Start at the bridge across the Pirknerbach between Unterpirkach and Oberpirkach. Follow the trail on the left side of the brook marked white and red upstream. The first part, leading to the ruins of the historic blacksmith shop, is a normal trail and suitable for tourists. But after the ruin the climbing starts.