As early as 1884, members of the imperial family hiked through this spectacular valley to escape the summer heat of the city. Crown Princess Stephanie and Emperor Franz Joseph himself left their mark on the trails of this wild karst gorge in the Triesting Valley, which lies at 549 meters above sea level. The best part: On hot days , the shady, deeply carved gorge offers the perfect way to cool off for you, your family, and even your dog.
However, since this is a sensitive karst area on the Almesbrunnberg, the Klammbach stream does not always carry water. The best time to experience this impressive natural spectacle with its roaring waterfalls is in the spring, right after the snowmelt, or in the summer following heavy rain. But even when dry, the gorge captivates with its steep rock faces, rare stag’s-horn ferns, and rugged moss-covered landscapes, where chamois and badgers roam through the undergrowth at night.
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The mysterious Türkenloch and imperial trails
The classic loop trail takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and leads you over bridges and wooden steps up to the absolute highlight of the hike: the legendary Türkenloch. You’ll walk through this historic cave entirely on man-made steps before emerging back into the daylight at the traditional Jagasitz inn at 706 meters above sea level. From up there, you’ll have a magnificent, unobstructed view of the majestic Schneeberg, which spreads out before you like a backdrop.
Thrills for the brave: The Rudolf-Decker-Steig
If you and your older kids are looking for a real adventure, turn off onto the red trail marker after about a 20-minute walk. The historic Rudolf-Decker-Steig (difficulty A/B) requires a head for heights and sure-footedness. You’ll climb a 15-meter-high, nearly vertical iron ladder straight into the gloomy Wildschützenhöhle, which once served as a safe hideout for poachers. Important: Due to the acute danger of falling rocks, this trail may only be ascended from the bottom for safety reasons, and a climbing set with a safety rope is highly recommended for younger children.
The entire infrastructure of wooden walkways, ladders, and bridges has been privately maintained by a local family of owners since 2011. Twice a year, industrial climbers even come in to remove loose rocks and dead trees from the cliffs, which rise up to 100 meters. So, by paying your maintenance fee at the ticket window of Franzi’s Hütte, you’re directly helping to ensure the survival of this historic Viennese destination.
🏔️ Name: Steinwandklamm Hiking Trail
📍 Address: Steinwandgraben 8, 2564 Furth an der Triesting
💶 Maintenance fee: Adults approx. €4.50 (children receive a discount)
⏱️ Opening hours: Accessible during the day all year round (ticket office at Franzi’s Hütte staffed on weekends/holidays)
