Knappenloch Ganotz

Useful Information

Location:	Blauspitze, 30 minutes walk, signposted. Upper Iseltal. (47.0174749, 12.6164213)
Open:	No restrictions. [2024]
Fee:	free. [2024]
Classification:	Iron Mine Gold Mine Copper Mine
Light:	LED
Dimension:	L=28 m, A=2,315 m asl.
Guided tours:	self guided, D=10 min.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Knappenloch Ganotz, Kalser Bergbahnen, Großdorf 70, 9981 Kals am Großglockner, Österreich, Tel: +43-4876-8233.
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

15th century	beginning of mining.
17th century	end of mining.
1970s	developed as a show mine.

Geology

The ridge consists of dark green to blue-green dense, highly compressed metamorphic serpentinites with numerous characteristic slickensides which were formed during the folding of the Alps. The fissures are filled with chrysotile aka white asbestos or tremolite and also contain talc and iron manganese carbonate at the edges. Mineralisation of magnetite, pyrite and chalcopyrite were mined, but the deposits are rather small and not very profitable.

Description

The Knappenloch Ganotz is located below the summit of the Blauspitze, on the eastern slope of the mountain. The Blauspitze (blue peak) is locally also named Ganotz or Ganotzkogel, hence the name of the mine. It is reached on a 30-minute walk from the mountain station of the Kalser Bergbahnen. From the 15th to the 17th century there were attempts to mine copper, gold and iron (pyrite) in this tunnel. The mine was never very productive, and so it was closed again after some time. The tunnel was developed and equipped with a solar panel and a LED light system. It is now open all year and can be visited by hikers on self-guided tours.