The cool Liechtensteinklamm
The fastest route to this destination
The cool Liechtensteinklamm
THE POWER OF WATER: THE CALMLY FLOWING SALZACH GENERATES ELECTRICITY, THE UNIQUE LIECHTENSTEINKLAMM INSPIRES BOUNDLESS WONDER!
The name Liechtenstein fits the gorge perfectly: a fascinating play of light and shadow on the wet stone. The namesake is just as exclusive as the gorge itself: Prince Johann II. Liechtenstein enabled the development of the tourist attraction in 1875 through a generous donation. Since then, quite a bit has changed. The most striking feature is the helix spiral staircase opened in 2020, which winds dizzyingly over 30 meters deep into the gorge. The path from St. Johann station along the Salzach to the gorge is less spectacular but also full of technically interesting constructions. Four bridges and a power plant are crossed, each with its own story. The first, the Vormarkt Bridge, was built in 1914, followed by a modern wire cable bridge, then simple crossings and a power plant that is hardly visible, but still generates 71 million kWh of electricity. Now it is time for the Liechtensteinklamm, a stone artwork up to 300 meters deep, created by the power of the Großarlbach.
easy
4h 0min
12.00 km
Round trip
Sankt Johann im Pongau
Seasons
Directions
From St. Johann station, turn right and walk 300 meters along Bahnhofstraße, then over the Vormarkt Bridge, descend at the left bridgehead to the riverside path, and follow it upstream along the Salzach. An interesting bee-themed path by the St. Johann beekeeping association shortens the time; the highlight is a fold-out bee colony display case. No less busy is the run-of-river power plant, and the following fitness park is also actively used. The path crosses to the other side of the Salzach for 1.6 km, returns via a footbridge, and from a fork in the path follows the Liechtensteinklammstraße for another 1.5 km to the entrance building on the right. After the breathtaking gorge hike, the return route goes back to the junction with Route 20 (Alpendorf). Either take route 20 steeply uphill to the right and then back downhill, or continue straight ahead in the valley along the Liechtensteinklammstraße to the district of Plankenau. At the Landhotel Lerchs, the two options meet again. The Plankenauwirt bus stop (City Bus) here offers a quicker return and a worthwhile detour into the town center. The footpath continues along the well-used Liechtensteinklammstraße for 1.4 km to the playground opposite the special school, then turns onto the now familiar riverside path.
Information & contact
www.josalzburg.com/de/aktivitaeten/liechtensteinklamm.html
Mag. Christian Heugl
5400 Hallein
christian.heugl@gmail.com
Image credit: Christian Heugl
By public transport
By S 3, REX, RJ to St. Johann station.
For the return trip from St. Johann Plankenauwirt, take bus 52 to St. Johann Post Office and then bus 53 to St. Johann station.
St. Johann train frequency: very good schedule, also on weekends. City bus 52 and 53 operate Monday to Friday.
Schedule information and download: Online at www.salzburg-verkehr.at or on your smartphone via the free Salzburg Verkehr app for Android and iOS.
Route profile
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