Gleirschklamm (Gorge)

But that doesn't mean it has less to offer. No, quite the opposite - those who appreciate wild water cascades and awe-inspiring rock gorges will find a place here that captivates with its archaic originality. A natural gem as a challenge for experienced gorge explorers.

But let's get one thing straight: sure-footedness, experience, sturdy footwear, and a spirit of adventure are the basic requirements to conquer the Gleirschklamm. Children - or rather their parents - will be less happy here. Narrow footbridges, partly unpaved and sometimes quite slippery if you don't wear the right shoes - not the ideal conditions for a relaxed family hike. Concentration is required with every step, and over time you will also get a sense of how hard the work of the timber rafters must have been, who had to guide the logs through the rushing waters here.

Start the circular hike best from Scharnitz, where you can park your vehicle in the Karwendel parking lots. At the beginning, follow the further course of the road for a short distance, before turning onto the Isarsteig and crossing the Isar via the bridge. Then follow the course of the stream towards the Scharnitzer Alm. You will eventually reach the gravelled Nederweg, which leads you to the beginning of the Gleirschklamm. Here, a rest area invites you to linger and dig into the snack from your backpack. There is also the opportunity to find refreshing cooling in the refreshingly cool stream bed.

Now it gets a bit more challenging, because the following (marked black!) path can become quite narrow in places and requires greater sure-footedness due to its occasional drop-offs, small bridges, and gravel-covered paths through the gorge. After you have passed a secured with a wire rope passage and slipped through a rock opening, the gorge finally widens a bit.

The special limestone that forms the adventurous rock formations here is relatively sensitive and is still being hollowed out deeper by the water. Due to the geological structure, it is particularly easy to recognize the individual layers of rock from different geological eras here. Also, fossilized shells from the time of the dinosaurs can be found in the stream bed of the Gleirsch. In the area, not only treasures from a distant past can be discovered, but also rare plant and animal species that have managed to cope with the prevailing adverse conditions. These include numerous species of orchids, the armleuchter algae, the viviparous alpine salamander, and the dipper, which as a skillful diver can hunt underwater for half a minute.

Following the gorge passage, a high forest path branches off, which you also follow to leave the gorge. You will now enter the Hintere Gleirschtal and soon have the choice between three different places to stop for a meal - the Amtssäge, the Möslalm (10 minutes further), or the Kristenalm (turnoff at the Amtssäge). The Möslalm is known for its gray cheese, also offers several accommodation options, and a mini petting zoo. The adjacent chapel is a listed building.

After a well-deserved meal and new animal acquaintances, you will return to the starting point in Scharnitz via the Gleirschtalstraße or the high forest path. Allow about 4 to 5 hours for the circular hike. But do not engage in a race against time - it is better to be on the safe side with secure steps than to make an unwanted trip into the depths.
No entrance fee is required for the gorge. Naturally, it is closed in the winter months. And that's a good thing, because its most magnificent beauty can be best presented in the warmer seasons.