von Nicolas Lair
04 July 2024
SUMMER
Wild, free & spectacular: The gorges of the Seefeld region
I hear a thundering waterfall, I run through canyons 80 meters deep and watch the play of colors in the water basins. Where am I? When all these impressions come together, there’s a good chance that I find myself in one of the spectacular gorges of the Seefeld region. There are as many as five examples of this natural phenomenon found on the Seefeld high plateau and its nearby surroundings.
A REAL NATURE HIGHLIGHT
The Ghost Gorge
Spooky and family-friendly don't go together? Whoever thinks that has never been to the Ghost Gorge in Leutasch. Here, hellish waters and witch cauldrons meet natural highlights and captivating stories.
The Leutasch Ghost Gorge in All Its Colorful Splendor
The Geisterklamm between Leutasch and Mittenwald is for me one of the greatest highlights of the whole region. Tumbling waterfalls, roaring gorges, gentle water basins, and spectacular paths together create an impressive experience for young and old. When I first entered the gorge, one thing quickly became clear to me. It’s all about a myth here. A myth that captivates every visitor to the gorge sooner or later. Since summer 2023, the Geisterklamm has been thrilling visitors with a newly designed theme trail. Visitors of all ages can hike on four different loops through the gorge, discovering it in a playful way. Fascinating stories, numerous games, and interesting facts await. No matter which path you take to explore this gorge, the authentic nature experience between rushing waters and picturesque mountain forests is truly unique. Especially younger visitors are often quickly captivated by the myth. For those who are still not convinced, a certain feeling of the supernatural creeps in at the latest glance from the 75-meter-high bridge. An outing is especially suitable for families with children. Entrance is free, and anyone who has built up an appetite from the hike can find a special Klammstüberl to stumble upon a special delicacy.
NATURAL AND UNRULY
The Gleirschklamm
The Gleirschklamm in Scharnitz also exudes a lot of magic. The combination of wild romantic waterfalls, crystal-clear water, and impressive stone tunnels creates a special natural spectacle here.
The Gleirsch Gorge is an experience for all senses
The Gleirschklamm is rough, it is natural and above all it is one thing: untamed. It has always impressed with its imposing rocks, waterfalls, and crystal clear water. Anyone who has ever been in this gorge knows: The energy of the water is clearly palpable here. The sheer power with which the icy water carves its way through the rock demands a great deal of respect. It took me about 45 minutes to navigate the path over bridges and through towering rocks. Along the rushing water, a narrow trail winds continuously through the gorge. Upon reaching the end, I can make three recommendations. 1: No matter how warm it is, flip-flops should preferably be left at home for this hike; sturdy footwear is required here. 2: Those who are afraid of heights should choose a different hike in the Seefeld region. 3: Anyone who wants to get the most out of their tour through the gorge should take the time to stop several times along the way and soak in the impressive natural spectacle with all their senses. Speaking of senses: those who listen carefully and take the time to look closely can discover the chirping water wagtails that nest in the gorge. They create a beautiful contrast to the rushing brook. When I asked other hikers what they appreciate about the Gleirschklamm, the answer was almost always the same: rarely can one enjoy nature in its diversity and uniqueness as much as here. For those who really want to get up close and personal with this natural highlight, participating in a nature tour led by a national park ranger is highly recommended.
BATHING AND RELAXING
The Schlossbach Gorge
The third gorge in the Plateau-Bunde is the waterfall-rich Schlossbachklamm near Reith bei Seefeld. It is characterized by its typical gorge landscape with many small waterfalls.
The Schlossbach Gorge is the perfect place for a cool refreshment
The water in the Schlossbachklamm has formed many small pools over the centuries, which invite swimming especially on hot summer days. The direct access to the water is perfect for a relaxing break and provides a refreshing alternative to the swimming pool. The paths through the Schlossbachklamm predominantly feature gentle slopes, making them suitable for families. If one wants to conquer the entire gorge, a bit more stamina and experience is needed. However, this is not a problem with older children. The good thing about the Schlossbachklamm: With the train, a hike here can easily become a circular tour. Those who start their adventure at the station in Reith will emerge at the other end of the gorge at Hochzirl station and can comfortably return to their starting point by train. Since this combination of hiking and train travel also works in reverse, the visitors can choose how strenuous their hiking day will be. One more fun fact about the Schlossbachklamm: A film crew shot some scenes here for the Hollywood movie "K2" just over 30 years ago.
For those who have already discovered these three highlights, there is a chance for more nearby.
Summer like winter
The Partnach Gorge
The namesake Partnach provides a beautiful play of colors in the Garmisch gorge
In the neighboring Garmisch is the up to 80-meter-deep Partnachklamm. As soon as you step into the gorge, which was declared a natural monument in 1912, you are surrounded by massive rock walls. Beneath your feet, the water rushes wild and untamed. The interplay of the impressive rock formations with the cool water provides new perspectives and color plays every few meters. Today, the Partnachklamm, which is also open in winter, presents itself as tame and approachable for visitors; however, history looked very different back then. At that time, climbers still had to circumvent the gorge on their way to Zugspitze; today, two secure paths lead through it.
For hiking and climbing
The Ehnbach Gorge
A small path winds its way through the Ehnbach Gorge beside the rushing water.
If you drive from Seefeld towards Innsbruck, you can come across a hidden gem in Zirl along the way. The Ehnbachklamm is probably the most versatile of all mentioned. After a few steps at the beginning, I first found a "typical" gorge. On a narrow, well-secured path, I made my way past rocks and waters, soaking up the impressive sights. The unique thing about the Ehnbachklamm: At the "end" of the gorge, a dam appears, behind which a wide riverbed lies hidden. There, families find a perfect spot for picnics and plenty of space to play and splash around. In addition to families, there are also many climbers who call this place home. One of them tells me during my hike that there are over 130 routes here in all difficulty levels.
This is how I get there.
The journey to the listed gorges is almost always uncomplicated and environmentally friendly.
Geisterklamm:
The Leutascher Geisterklamm is very conveniently and easily accessible, either by public transport or by car. Bus line 431 takes you directly from Telfs and Leutasch to the entrance of the Leutascher Geisterklamm. There are also plenty of parking spaces available for cars. Additionally, it is possible to combine the journey with a bike tour.
Gleirschklamm:
You can take the train to the Scharnitz train station and from there it is about a 10-minute walk to the Nature Park Information Center, which is the starting point for the hike. The information center can be reached from anywhere on the plateau by bike and there are also car parking spaces available in Scharnitz.
Schlossbachklamm:
The Schlossbachklamm is particularly suitable for public transport, as the gorge is located between the Hochzirl and Reith bei Seefeld train stations. The entrances to the gorge can be reached on foot from the bus stops. Both train stations also have car parking available.
Partnachklamm:
From the Seefeld high plateau, you can reach Garmisch by train, bus, or car. From the Garmisch train station, it takes about 25 minutes on foot to get to the Partnachklamm. If that seems too far, the village buses (lines 1 and 2) will take you to the Olympic Ski Stadium, the starting point of the hike. Those arriving by car can park directly at the ski stadium.
Ehnbachklamm:
You can park your car at the Red Cross parking lot in Zirl, which is located right next to the main road from Seefeld to Zirl. For those traveling by public transport, you can take the bus from the plateau to Telfs and then switch to a bus to Zirl. A visit to the Ehnbachklamm is also possible as part of a longer bike tour.
Water Worlds in the Seefeld Region
Whether shimmering lakes, bubbling springs, roaring gorges, idyllic streams, or relaxing adventure pools – the Seefeld region offers water spots with a very special character.
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