The Kitzlochklamm

The Kitzlochklamm in Taxenbach

The Kitzlochklamm in Taxenbach is an impressive gorge in the Salzburg region. With its steep rock faces and roaring waterfalls, it offers a fascinating natural experience. The paths through the gorge lead over bridges and through narrow passages that offer spectacular views. Historical cuts in the rock and old footbridges make the hike particularly interesting.

Brief information:

• What is the Kitzlochklamm?
  An impressive gorge with waterfalls and rock walls.
• Where is it located?
  In Taxenbach, Salzburg. Address: Kitzlochklammstraße 42, 5660 Taxenbach.
• How do I get there?
  By car via the B311 or by train to Taxenbach station and then continue on foot.
• How much time should I allow?
  About 1-2 hours for the entire hike.
• Opening hours?
  Mid-May to the end of September daily from 08:00 to 18:00 (last entry 17:00), October daily from 09:00 to 16:00 (last entry 15:00), winter closure from the end of October 2024 to mid-May 2025. Here you can find all opening hours.
• Entry? Adults approx. 10€, free with Pongau guest card. Here you can find all prices.
• Is the hike for Suitable for children?
  Yes, but due to the steep paths and steps, children should be supervised at all times.
• Are dogs allowed in the Kitzlochklamm?
  Yes

Arrival and parking

At 12:20 we arrived at the Kitzlochklamm in Taxenbach. There are two parking spaces available for visitors. Parking space 1 is located right at the entrance to the gorge and costs one euro. This nearby parking space is particularly convenient and the fee is well invested. Parking space 2 is a little further away and requires a short, five-minute walk uphill.

Admission and facilities

At the entrance to the Kitzlochklamm there is a small ticket booth where you can get drinks and snacks such as sausages before entering. The entrance fee is ten euros for adults, but is Hohe Tauern National Park Map free of charge. Helmets are compulsory at the entrance and will be issued directly there.

The tour through the Kitzlochklamm

The tour through the gorge is officially advertised as 70 minutes. Helmets are given at the entrance and must be worn throughout the hike to ensure the safety of visitors. We started our tour at 12:30 p.m. After just three minutes of walking, you come across an impressive, high waterfall. The path leads over well-secured wooden stairs and paths that run between the steep rock walls.

Stations of the hike

After about ten minutes you reach a Stalactite cave. This can only be visited by making an appointment with the tourist office. According to the lady at the ticket office, the cave is only 14 m², so you won't miss too much if you don't visit it.

The most strenuous part of the hike begins shortly afterwards with the approximately 400 steps uphill. However, the effort is worth it with wonderful Views and viewing terraces Once at the top, there is a turnoff for hiking enthusiasts for the big loop in the direction of Pilgrimage Church and EmbachThere is also a viewing platform here, but it is only suitable for those who don't suffer from vertigo, as you can see into the depths through the grid floor.

Decision for the shorter round

We decided to take the shorter route and headed back. Before that, we visited the Gold mining test tunnel and the Washroom. The tunnel only leads a few meters into the mountain, but offers a pleasant cooling effect on hot summer days.

On the way back we went through the only a few meters long RitzstollenFrom this point on, the path continues along a wide path through the forest. The sound of the water accompanies us only from a distance.

End of the hike

We reached the parking lot again at 1:15 p.m. In fact, the entire circuit only took us about 45 minutes, although the official signposts say it takes longer.

Climbing in the Kitzlochklamm

The Kitzlochklamm not only offers impressive hiking trails, but also challenging via ferratas for climbing enthusiasts. The via ferratas are open from mid-May and offer a unique climbing experience in the midst of an impressive natural backdrop. The rushing of the Rauriser Ache accompanies the climbers acoustically and creates a special atmosphere.

There are several via ferratas with different levels of difficulty, each of which is well secured and creatively designed. The “Klammblick” via ferrata is ideal for warming up and offers a good introduction with a length of 150 meters and a height difference of 50 meters (difficulty level B/C). The “Freefall” via ferrata is more challenging and is particularly known for its “free fall edge”, which provides the necessary adrenaline rush (difficulty level C/D, length 250 meters, height difference 120 meters).

For experienced climbers, the “Kitz Via Ferrata” a sporting challenge with a length of 300 meters and a height difference of 150 meters (difficulty level mostly C, with sections up to D). A special variant of this climb is the “cave sprint”, which is one of the most difficult via ferratas in the Salzburg region (difficulty level E/F) and is only suitable for very experienced climbers.

Climbing sets can be rented on site, either directly at the Kitzlochklamm ticket office or in the Guesthouse KitzlochDue to the difficulty of the via ferratas and the potential dangers in bad weather conditions, rental is only available to experienced climbers and in good climbing conditions.

Light hikes in the Kitzlochklamm

The Kitzlochklamm offers a special experience for visitors: the illuminated hikes. These hikes take place in the evenings and are accompanied by the sounds of the quartet of traditional music bands from Eschenau and Taxenbach. The nighttime natural spectacle is enhanced by the atmospheric lighting of the gorge, creating a mystical atmosphere.

During the light hike, participants also hear local stories, such as the legend of the wild women who came out of the gorge on a stormy winter night and asked the farmer on the Embach-Rain for food. These stories make the hike an unforgettable experience.

You can find more information here.

History of the Kitzlochklamm

The Kitzlochklamm has a long and interesting history. The name comes from young goats that sought out the cool gorge. The Rauriser Ache formed the steep walls of the gorge over thousands of years. In the 16th century, miners dug the “Ritzstollen” to search for gold. The gorge was first made accessible in 1833 by Johann Zehentner and further expanded in 1877. After an accident in 1974, it was reopened in 1976 with new bridges and footbridges.