Gilfenklamm Ratschings / Gola di Stanghe

It is not only the thundering waterfalls and breathtaking rock formations that make Gilfenklamm so unique, but also a geological peculiarity: It is the only gorge in the world that has formed in pure white marble!

The Ratschingser Bach has cut up to 15 meters deep into the relatively soft, white marble. Incidentally, marble is still mined in the Ratsching Valley, and the tradition dates back to the Roman Empire. For example, the famous Mithras stone found near Sterzing is exhibited in the South Tyrol Archaeological Museum in Bolzano. This marble relief from Roman times depicts the sun god Mithras, whose cult was widespread in the 2nd and 3rd centuries.

Gilfenklamm has been accessible for over 100 years, the Austrian Alpine Club built a footpath at that time. On this occasion, the gorge was named "Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Klamm," as a small memorial plaque reminds us. Today, however, the gorge is only known as Gilfenklamm.

A hike through Gilfenklamm is impressive and suitable for the whole family, especially on hot summer days, it also provides refreshing coolness. The trail starts in the village of Stange, where signs point the way to the gorge, which is open from early May to late October. A small contribution to the maintenance of the trail must be paid at the entrance, then it goes along the still calm flowing stream for a few minutes.

But soon the stream becomes louder and the water wilder. Steps carved into the marble, wooden walkways, and bridges lead into the increasingly narrow gorge, where the water roars and rages far below. The beauty of the gorge is irresistible: in some places, the marble shows its pure white color, but mostly it has darkened or shimmered greenish due to weathering. The untamed power of the water has often polished it to a mirror-like smoothness and shine. The highlight of the gorge hike is the so-called "church," an impressive, almost eerie, 15-meter-deep funnel through which a waterfall plunges thunderously into the depths.

After about 1 hour of walking, the crossing of the approximately 400m long gorge ends at the Jaufensteg inn. You can either descend through the gorge again or take the path over the ruins of Reifenegg. The once mighty castle, built around 1220, is mainly still represented by the imposing keep. It is said that a valuable treasure is buried under the castle ruins, which no one has found yet.

Finally, a little art historical detail: Did you know that part of the marble decoration of the Innsbruck Court Church comes from South Tyrol? More precisely: from the Ratsching Valley! Marble from Ratschings was also used for Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna and for many monuments in the former imperial city.