How to Visit the Liechtenstein Gorge in Salzburg, Austria (original) (raw)

Liechtensteinklamm is a deep and narrow gorge in the Austrian Alps. More specifically, the gorge is located a few kilometers south of St. Johann im Pongau in the state of Salzburg, Austria.

With vertical walls reaching a height of 300 meters, the 4-km-long Liechtenstein Gorge is one of the deepest gorges in the Alps. It was created by the eroding force of the Großarler Ache mountain stream over the course of thousands of years. The crystal-clear steam continues to flow at the base of the gorge.

A safe, family-friendly trail leads through the misty gorge, running through illuminated tunnels and galleries, over bridges, and along secured walkways.

Between May and October, you can visit Liechtensteinklamm. It takes only 25 minutes to walk from the gorge entrance (ticket area) to the end of the gorge path, marked by a waterfall viewpoint. The return route follows the same path.

The gorge trail was constructed in 1875. It’s named after Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein, because his donation ensured the completion and expansion of the path.

In 2017, Liechtensteinklamm closed due to a rockfall. After three years of massive renovations, the gorge reopened in 2020. The renovations included three new tunnels, a spiral staircase, and rockfall protection.

Update: Due to massive storm damage in summer 2024, only a section of the gorge is accessible. Repair work is underway. But, the complete gorge walkway will not be reopened until Spring 2025. Check josalzburg.com for updates.

Liechtensteinklamm Gorge Path, Salzburg, Austria

Liechtenstein Gorge Trail Map

Visiting the Liechtensteinklamm Gorge

Liechtenstein Gorge, Salzburg

Liechtenstein Gorge Nature Path, Salzburg

When to Visit

The Liechtensteinklamm Gorge is open daily from May until the end of October. Given the popularity of this Salzburg attraction, it’s best to avoid visiting on weekends.

May – September: 9 am – 6 pm

October: 9 am – 4 pm

Entrance Prices

Adult, Children, Teens | See current prices

The gorge admission is free for SalzburgerLand Card holders and reduced for Salzburger Sportwelt Card holders.

Payment: Cash or Card

How to Get to the Liechtensteinklamm Gorge

Car

Drive to St. Johann im Pongau and follow signs to Liechtensteinklamm.

There are several free car parks along the Liechtensteinklammstrasse road. Here are the closest car parks to the gorge entrance.

P1 – This is the closest car park to the gorge entrance. | Google Maps

P2 – This is the second closest car park to the gorge entrance. | Google Maps

Transit

From St. Johann, take Citybus (line 52) to Plankenauwirt bus stop in Plankenau. From here, it’s a 30-40 minute walk to the gorge.

If you’re arriving in St. Johann by train, take Citybus (line 51) to the post office and change here to line 52 to Plankenau. Download the Citybus timetable here.

Liechtensteinklamm Gorge Walk Description

Liechtensteinklamm Gorge Entrance and Ticket Area, Salzburg

From the car parks, walk south along the Liechtensteinklammstrasse. Pass the public toilets and follow the paved road to Gasthof Liechtensteinklamm restaurant and onwards to the gorge entrance.

You can purchase your ticket directly at the “Kassa,” next to the Klammwirtin eatery and souvenir shop.

Pass through the ticket gate and follow the wooden walkway along the left side of the gorge.

After crossing a bridge, follow the shielded walkway through the gallery to the first tunnel.

The path leads in and out of tunnels for several minutes and then brings you to the base of a metal staircase.

Walk up the staircase to a viewing platform, which overlooks the Helix spiral staircase.

Liechtensteinklamm Gorge Helix, Salzburg, Austria

Descend the Helix to the gorge.

A flat concrete path, flanked by wooden railings, steers you along the right wall of Liechtensteinklamm.

Here, the gorge is at its narrowest. The rugged walls look like they’ve been chiseled by a giant.

Liechtensteinklamm Gorge Walkway, Austria

The next bridge crossing offers one of the most memorable vantage points of the gorge.

Cross the bridge to the left side, and walk up the illuminated gallery.

Liechtensteinklamm Gallery, Salzburg, Austria

The gorge path continues through tunnels, staircases, and walkways to the waterfall viewing area. There are two benches and two picnic tables here.

Follow the same route back to the gorge entrance.

Where to Stay near Liechtensteinklamm

St. Johann im Pongau

St. Johann im Pongau is a town in Salzach Valley, close to Bischofshofen, Wagrain, and Mühlbach am Hochkönig. It’s located 50 km south of Salzburg. St. Johann is surrounded by the Dientner mountains, Salzburger Schieferalpen, and the Radstädter Tauern.

During your visit, we highly recommend hiking to Lake Tappenkarsee in Kleinarl Valley and hiking the Mühlbach High Trail in the Hochkönig mountains.

The best accommodations are located in the village of Alpendorf, which is 3 km from the town center of Sankt Johann.

Midrange | Landhotel Lerch Plankenau is a family-friendly hotel in Plankenau, walking distance to the Liechtensteinklamm. Guests love the peaceful location, breakfast, and biotop bathing pool. Half board is available.

Midrange | Apartments Maurachhof is a family-friendly farm stay in Alpendorf.

Luxury | Alpina Family, Spa & Sporthotel is a 4-star superior hotel in Alpendorf. Guests love the mountain views, facilities (spa, pools, gym), and professional staff. Breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate.

Luxury | Hotel Oberforsthof is another 4-star superior hotel in Alpendorf featuring elegant interiors, a spa area, two pools, and a bar. Book half board.

Look for accommodation in Alpendorf/St. Johann im Pongau.

More Salzburg Travel and Hiking Guides

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Austria Trip Planning Essentials

Use our Austria Travel Guide and Austria blog archive to plan a unique and memorable trip to Austria.

When to Visit Austria

We recommend visiting Austria between June and October for hiking and between December and March for skiing and winter adventuring.

Summer Travel | Summer in Austria

Autumn Travel | Autumn in Austria

Winter Travel | Winter in Austria, Salzburg in December, Vienna in December, Vienna in January, Skiing in Schladming

Getting around Austria

Austria has an excellent public transit system. We’ve used it extensively to travel throughout the country. We highly recommend using transit if you’re visiting cities (Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, Graz, etc…), and/or doing hut-to-hut hikes.

Some areas like Mayrhofen, Schladming and Lech am Arlberg have wonderful seasonal transit systems in place (e.g. summer hiking buses). However, if you’re not visiting during the high season, bus frequencies are significantly reduced and it’s far easier to get around with your own vehicle.

If you’re planning on visiting multiple destinations across Austria, we recommend renting a car.

Use these road trip itineraries for trip planning inspiration:

Start in Vienna | 2 Week Austria Road Trip

Start in Salzburg, or Munich | 1 Week Austria Road Trip

Start in Munich | 10-Day Bavarian Alps & Tyrolean Alps Road Trip

Car Rental

We recommend using the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.

Check car rental rates here.

If you’re driving into Austria from a neighboring country, don’t forget to purchase a vignette at/near the border.

Hiking in Austria

Where to Hike in Austria

Read Austrian Alps Hiking Destinations for an overview of where to hike in Austria, with tips on specific trails and where to stay. Also check out Best Day Hikes in Austria and these region-specific hiking guides:

Tyrol | Innsbruck Hikes, Lake Achensee Hikes

Salzburg | Salzburg Hikes, Filzmoos Hikes

Styria | Schladming Hikes

Vorarlberg | Vorarlberg Hikes, Lech am Arlberg Hikes

Lower Austria | Vienna Mountains Hikes

Hut to Hut Hiking in Austria

Austria is a premier hut-to-hut and long-distance hiking destination. The quality of the mountain huts are superb. We particularly love the high-alpine trails, which are called Höhenwege in German. We’ve summarized our favorite multi-day hikes in Trekking Austria. If you’re new to hut hiking, read this in-depth guide to Hut to Hut Hiking in Austria.

Hiking Essentials

What to See & Do in Austria

1. Visit a gorge like the Liechtenstein Gorge in Salzburg, or Wolfsklamm Gorge in Tyrol.

2. Bathe in the thermal pools of an Austrian Therme like Aqua Dome in Tyrol

3. Stay in a thermal spa hotel like Rogner Bad Blumau in Styria, EurothermenResort Bad Ischl in Upper Austria, or the Aqua Dome Hotel in Tyrol.

4. Hike to a mountain lake like Lake Drachensee in Tyrol.

5. Go Wine Tasting in South Styria.

6. Marvel at the culture, music, and architecture of Vienna.

7. Eat heartwarming mountain food in an Almhütte at Grosser Ahornboden in Tyrol, or Ursprungalm in Styria.

8. Drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Hohe Tauern National Park.

9. Visit the castles, monasteries, and wine taverns of the Wachau Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

10. Watch a Krampus Run: Krampus Parade in December.

Austrian Hotels

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