Wimbachklamm

Wimbachklamm is a narrow, ticketed gorge at the entrance to the Wimbach valley in Ramsau, between the Watzmann and Hochkalter ranges. Its roughly 200-metre passage follows the stream along steep rock faces on bridges and raised walkways, past waterfalls, rivulets and green moss. Come for a close-up encounter with moving water, not a long hike: many visitors love the setting, while others feel the short gorge section is poor value once admission and parking are counted. Continue farther up the Wimbach valley if you want a longer outing.

Park at Wimbachbrücke or take bus 846 to the Wimbachbrücke stop. From there, allow about 20 minutes uphill on foot to the gorge. Get your ticket at the machine by Wimbachs Wollstadl, about 300 metres before the entrance. The gorge is one-way; use the higher bypass on your return rather than expecting to walk back through the same passage. It is a seasonal visit, generally May through October, and weather can affect access, so check the status before setting out. Public toilets are reported by the bridge parking area, before the climb.

The gorge route is only about 200 metres, with bridges and raised walkways tucked against the steep walls. Water spills through a sequence of falls and pools, with small rivulets feeding mossy ledges; the spray can feel cooling on a warm day. The passage is narrow and stepped, and the wet surfaces can be slippery. It is not wheelchair-accessible. Visitor reports differ on how busy it feels; arriving early or later may mean a quieter walk.

The Wimbach cut this cleft between the Watzmann and Hochkalter ranges. Rocks exposed here formed on an ancient seabed, and the gorge lets you see erosion still at work. Look across the wet ledges as you move through; water is shaping the same rock that preserves a much older landscape.

Farther up the valley, loose gravel covers the Wimbachgries and the stream flows underground. At the gorge, water runs at the surface and drops through waterfalls. The short walk makes a useful contrast between a stream hidden under debris upstream and the forceful torrent visitors see at the valley entrance.

The gorge opened to visitors in 1987. Before that, only a few lumberjacks ventured inside to bring timber to a storage area. Today, bridges and raised paths carry visitors through the same tight rock corridor beside the water.

Wimbachs Wollstadl stands near the ticket machine. This seasonal farm shop sells Alpine Stone Sheep lamb, including sausage and salami, as well as wool and felt goods. It is a place to buy local products, not a prepared-food stop.

Use the bridges for a close view along the stream, with a waterfall and moss-covered rock in the frame. This is a detail-rich, enclosed gorge rather than a wide panorama. After rain, the water may run more strongly, but the conditions vary.