Kundler Klamm (Gorge)

Once there was a lake here, the Wildschönau, surrounded by massive rock. As idyllic as the lake may have appeared, a terrifying dragon dwelled in its depths. When he was killed by a cunning trick, he is said to have broken through the rock mass in his death throes, creating the gorge and the Wildschönauer Ache flowing through it. It must have been a huge dragon, one might think, when looking at the mighty dolomite rock, which rises gigantically on both sides and is estimated to be about 235 million years old.

The Kundler Klamm creates a connecting passage between the Wildschönau, a picturesque high valley in the Kufstein district, and the Tyrolean Inntal in Kundl. This natural beauty is especially suitable for a relaxing hike with the family. On a wide, continuously flat hiking trail, you pass through forest sections and green meadows and march along the bizarre rock formations that line the path like mystical sleeping giants. Add to that the roar of the river - and you already feel transported into a fairytale landscape, looking out for forest elves and water nymphs. In earlier times, this waterway was used for timber transport. The felled tree trunks were thrown into the river and then fished out at the other end of the gorge. This archaic past can still be felt today when one concentrates on the natural power emanating from the Wildschönauer Ache.

At the foot of the up to 200-meter-high rocks, small idyllic resting places invite you to take a hearty bite of a snack, cool your feet in the stream (children like to collect stones in the shallow spots), or simply let the energizing sound of the water take effect on you. The path is wide enough (after all, horse-drawn wagons had to cover their kilometers here in the past), well fortified, and has only a slight incline. This makes it suitable for strollers and wheelchair users. Whether you start the hike in Wildschönau or in Kundl is entirely up to you. In Kundl, there is a visitor parking lot right at the entrance to the gorge. Then you start over the Kundler Klammbrücke, a historic wooden bridge that was built over 100 years ago in honor of Emperor Franz Josef I and still largely presents itself in its original composition. It is therefore not surprising that this impressive structure is now under monument protection.

After a few minutes, you will reach the Gasthaus Kundler Klamm, whose award-winning chef specializes in homemade specialties with a high regional reference and serves the best quality on the wonderfully fragrant plates. In the Wildschönau part, the Gasthof Klammrast awaits with game dishes, suckling pig, trout from its own catch, and meat from its own production. In addition, you can also stay here if you - understandably - fall in love with the area and want to stay longer than a day. There is also a generously laid out parking lot available here. No matter from which direction you come, a crossing of the gorge covers about 3 kilometers and takes about an hour (one way). You walk past rock ledges, pass through small tunnels in the rock, and finally reach a spring where you can refresh yourself with the fresh, ice-cold mountain water.

In the height of summer, you also have the opportunity to board a leisure train and let yourself be convinced of the beauty of the gorge from the comfort of the moving wagon. The train simply chugs its way through the gorge on your behalf. However, because the gorge shows its inhospitable side in the cold months, and safety is an important issue, there is a general winter closure from November to the end of March. The Gasthaus Kundler Klamm is still accessible and open during this time.