Location: | Kaprun (47.259256, 12.740277) |
Open: |
MAY to OCT daily 8:30-17. [2020] |
Fee: |
Adults EUR 6, Children (6-15) EUR 3.90, Children (0-5) free, Families (2+*) EUR 13.50. With guest card: Adults EUR 5.40, Children (6-15) EUR 3.30, Families (2+*) EUR 12. Groups (): Adults EUR 5.40, Children (6-15) EUR 3.30. Sagenhafte Nacht des Wassers: Adults EUR 10, Children (6-15) EUR 5. [2020] |
Classification: | Gorge |
Light: | electric, colored |
Dimension: | L=320 m. |
Guided tours: | self guided |
Photography: | allowed |
Accessibility: | no |
Bibliography: | |
Address: | Sigmund Thun Klamm, VSF Kaprun, A-5710 Kaprun, Tel: +43-681-849-247-37. 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. |
1890 | the Kaprun pioneer Nikolaus Gaßner was commissioned to build a road from Zell am See to Mooserboden. |
1893 | Sigmund Thun Klamm opened to the public. |
1934 | declared as a natural monument. |
1938 | gorge closed due to to the construction of the hydro-electric power plant. |
1991 | the VSF Kaprun decides to rebuild a way through the Sigmund Thun Klamm. |
1992 | wooden path constructed and opened to the public. |
2017 | electric light installed. |
The Sigmund Thun Klamm is a 320 m long part of the Aach which cuts deep into the rock. It starts at the hydroelectric power plant at the town Kaprun and ends at the dam of the Klammsee. The Kaprun pioneer Nikolaus Gaßner was commissioned to build a road from Zell am See to Mooserboden in 1890. He is quite famous as he built various hotels. He planned a wooden path through the gorge which was opened to the public in 1893. It was named after the Salzburg nobleman Sigmund Earl of Thun, who was deeply impressed by the gorge. Ehrn he first visited the gorge he said „Tosend und mächtig strömen uns die Fluthen entgegen“ (Thundering and mighty, the floods flow towards us). This was the begin of the tourist development of the Kaprun valley.
Most people know the nane Kaprun today for the hydroelectric power plants. Various dams were built in the valley and connected by iron tubes. The power plant is located at town Kaprun. Unfortunately the construction of the power plant caused the closure of the gorge in 1938.
The Verein zur Schaffung spezieller Fremdenverkehrseinrichtungen in Kaprun (association for the creation of special tourism facilities in Kaprun) was founded in 1991. The first project was the reopening of the gorge. The wooden path was errected following the original plans from 1893. The works started in Spring 1992 and in August of the same year the gorge was reopened.
New are several events at the gorge. Klammlichter is offered in Juli and August on Friday evenings. The gorge is illuminate with colored light. The Sagenhafte Nacht des Wassers (legendary night of the water) is offered in Juli and August on Monday evenings. It starts with a guided tour through the gorge with music and includes a campfire with roasted potatoes. For the way back the participants are equipped with torches.