How to Visit Wolfsklamm Gorge in Stans, near Innsbruck (original) (raw)

Wolfsklamm (Wolf’s Gorge) is a river gorge in Karwendel Mountains in Austria. It’s said to be the most beautiful gorge in Tyrol.

The trail through the gorge is safe and well-secured, although steep and slippery at times.

The Wolfsklamm path steers hikers through a magical limestone corridor, where rock, water, and greenery harmoniously collide. This natural attraction is a testament to the power of water.

The Wolfsklamm hike starts in Stans, a village in the Inn Valley, 30 km east of Innsbruck.

Due to safety reasons, it’s only possible to hike one-way up through the gorge. At the end of the trail, hikers have the option to extend the hike to the Benedictine monastery of St. Georgenberg, where there’s a restaurant.

You can circuit back to Stans via the Way of the Cross over Weng, or the Maria Tax chapel.

This is an excellent half-day excursion for families with children and for anyone looking for a short 3-hour-long adventure near Innsbruck.

Hiking shoes are essential. The trail is steep and there are some slippery areas, due to water and polished stone.

Wolfsklamm Gorge Hike, Stans, Tyrol, Austria

Wolfsklamm Gorge Hiking Map

Visiting the Wolfsklamm Gorge in Stans

Wolfsklamm Gorge Path, Tirol, Austria

Opening Hours

Wolfsklamm gorge is open from May 1st to October 31st between 9 am and 4 pm.

Entrance Prices

You can purchase your Wolfsklamm entrance ticket with cash, or by card.

Adults | 5 EUR

Children (ages 6 – 14) | 1.50 EUR

Groups (10, or more people) | 3.50 EUR per person

How to Get to the Wolfsklamm Gorge

Wolfsklamm Gorge in July, Tyrol, Austria

Car

Stans is located between Jenbach and Schwaz. It’s a 17-minute drive away from Hall in Tirol and a 30-minute drive away from Innsbruck.

There are many free car parks in Stans, including the P2 Car Park, and P3 Car Park. You can see all the parking options on wolfsklamm.tirol.

The closest car park to the trailhead, “Parkplatz Wolfsklamm,” is the only paid car park (Google Maps) in Stans.

Transit

You can reach Stans by train from Innsbruck. There are direct train connections (30 minutes).

The Stans train station is a 15-minute walk (1.3 km) to the center of Stans.

Wolfsklamm Gorge Hike Description

Stans – Wolfsklamm – Wolfsklamm Northern Exit Gate (35 – 45 minutes)

From Stans, follow the various signposts to Wolfsklamm.

Locate the Wolfskamm paid car park (Google Maps). Follow the road north, passing the car park and several houses, to the ticket booth.

There are toilets at the entrance.

After purchasing your entrance ticket, continue following the road. Soon a trail branches off on the right side. The forest path, laced with tree roots, ascends to a ledge.

Continue up the gravel path, bordered by a handrail. After crossing a wooden bridge, the trail ascends the leafy forest to another ledge.

Wolfsklamm Gorge and Stanserbach stream, Karwendel Mountains, Austria

After 15 minutes (from the ticket booth), the trail enters the limestone gorge.

The Wolfsklamm gorge path is a manmade path composed of stairs, railings, and bridges. In the absence of handrails, cables are fixed to the rock for extra security.

It’s splendidly narrow at first. The rocky gorge walls look like two puzzle pieces, scarcely set apart.

The timber-constructed path clings to the right wall, several meters above the rushing Stanserbach stream.

Patches of greenery abound above and below, fastened to life-sustaining crevices. You can almost hear “where there is water, there is life” echoing through the gorge.

In the middle of the day, Wolfsklamm is drenched in ethereal light.

Wolfsklamm Gorge, Timber-bolstered trail and stream, near Innsbruck, Austria

The path crosses a bridge to the left side of the gorge. A magical scene unfolds ahead of ochre and slate gray rock, offset by green vegetation and turquoise water.

The trail crosses the width of the gorge again and steeply ascends to a pulpit-shaped lookout, parallel to the plunging stream.

Wolfsklamm hiking trail, Tyrol, Austria

Afterwards, the gorge widens significantly.

Trees thrive along the banks. A waterfall arches into a series of pools in several steps.

The Wolfsklamm trail rises again, following the chiseled gorge wall, secured with both cables and timber handrails.

Wolfsklamm Waterfall, Karwendel Silver Region, Tyrol, Austria

The final leg entails two more bridge crossings.

Wolfsklamm gorge bridge, Stans, Inntal, Austria

You’ll emerge on a wide gravel path, where it’s possible to access the stream. Many people picnic here.

The sky-gracing St. Georgenberg monastery is enthroned on a mighty rock, rising above the forest canopy.

St. Georgenberg monastery and pilgrimage church, Tyrol, Austria

Pass through the full height turnstile gate to exit the gorge path.

Wolfsklamm Northern Exit Gate to St. Georgenberg Monastery (25 minutes)

High Bridge to St. Georgenberg monastery, Tyrol, Austria

Follow the gravel road to a signed junction.

At the signed junction, you have two options. You can turn left and descend to Stans immediately (1 hour) following the Way of the Cross over Weng pilgrimage route. Alternatively, you can continue hiking up to the St. Georgenberg Monastery and Restaurant (Wallfahrtgasthaus St. Georgenberg), signed 20 minutes.

We hiked up to the St. Georgenberg monastery.

The way to the abbey rises along a gravel road to the gatehouse of Hohe Brücke (high bridge), a wide stone arch bridge with a timber roof that spans the Georgenbach Gorge.

Cross the bridge and hike up to the church and restaurant.

Our plan was to eat in the restaurant, but the service was so excruciatingly slow that we ended up leaving.

Benedictine Monastery of St. Georgenberg – Maria Tax Chapel – Stans (1:15 hours)

Maria Tax hiking trail back to Stans, Tyrol, Austria

From the monastery, backtrack across the High Bridge to the last junction.

We followed the trail to Maria Tax, signed 50 minutes, and Stans, signed 1:15 hours.

Note: you can backtrack further and follow the Way of the Cross pilgrimage route back to Stans. This is the more popular descending route.

The lonesome trail to Maria Tax chapel is very shady, a miracle on a hot summer’s day. After 20 minutes of easy, level walking, the way to Maria Tax descends to the right. The junction is marked with a “Maria Tax” wooden signpost nailed to the tree.

The narrow, forest trail drops down to the small Maria Tax chapel (10 minutes) and then continues to descend to Stans (20-25 minutes). The chapel was locked up.

The final leg is steep and more rugged than expected. The path is secured with a cable railing. Views of the village open up as you near the valley floor.

The path spits you out at the top of the village. Follow the main road to your car park, or to the train station.

Where to Stay near Wolfsklamm

Stans

Stans is a quiet town in Inntal, only 20 minutes from Lake Achensee. We recommend staying in an apartment, or a hotel with an on-site restaurant, since dining options are limited. All of these accommodations are walking distance to the Wolfsklamm gorge entrance.

Adults-Only Luxury | Der Brandstetterhof is an excellent half board hotel (breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate) in Stans with an outdoor natural pool, four saunas, and garden.

Luxury | Top-rated Das Urgestein – Apartments (2 nights minimum stay) offers 2-3 bedroom apartments with well-equipped kitchens. Some units have private terraces and whirlpools. Guests love the friendly hosts and the natural swimming pool.

All-Inclusive Luxury | Hotel Schwarzbrunn is a 4-star all-inclusive hotel with traditional Tyrolean-style interiors, a 3000m2 modern spa with textile and textile-free zones, and tons of perks (free entry tickets to nearby attractions, activity program, in-house bike rental, and more). Breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack, dinner, and all drinks are included in the rate.

Look for accommodation in Stans.

Schwaz

Schwaz is a historic town in the Inn Valley, 3 km west of Stans. It boasts a lovely Altstadt (Old Town).

Midrange-Luxury | Schloss Mitterhart Hotel – Restaurant is housed in a 16th century castle on the bank of the Inn river. Located just off the Inntal cycling route and 10-minutes away from Schwaz, this quiet hotel and Tyrolean restaurant is a great base for exploring Stans, Schwaz, and Innsbruck.

Look for accommodation in Schwaz.

Hall in Tirol

Hall in Tirol is a town in the Inn Valley, just east of Innsbruck. Its historic center has been beautifully restored, making it a delight to explore on foot. Hall rose to prominence in the 13th century, because of the salt industry.

It was actually the most important commercial center in North Tirol. This is a great base for exploring the Karwendel Mountains and Innsbruck’s surroundings.

Top-Choice Luxury | Hotel Kontor is a boutique hotel in Hall in Tirol with airy, minimalist rooms featuring hardwood floors, billowy linen, and tea and coffee makers. Breakfast is included. On-site parking is available.

Luxury | Parkhotel Hall in Tirol is a modern, dog-friendly hotel with soundproof rooms, an on-site restaurant, and a 580 m2 spa area, walking distance to the historic Altstadt (Old Town). Parking is available (extra charge). A rich breakfast is included.

Look for accommodation in Hall in Tirol.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck, Austria

Budget-Midrange | Motel One Innsbruck is located near the Innsbruck Train Station, a mere 10-minute walk into the Innenstadt (Inner City of Innsbruck). This modern 3-star hotel offers snug rooms with views overlooking the city and mountains. Don’t miss the top floor bar. Perks: luggage storage and 24/7 reception. Breakfast and underground parking are both available for an extra charge.

Midrange | NALA individuellhotel is a quirky hotel with uniquely-designed rooms, a sun terrace, fitness room, breakfast (extra fee), and nearby parking (extra fee).

Midrange-Luxury | Faktorei is a boutique hotel housed in a 15th century town house with 12 sun-drenched minimalist rooms, a garden, terrace, and bar. Private garage parking is available, but must be reserved in advance (extra fee). Breakfast is served in the hotel’s adjacent café (extra fee).

Top Choice – Luxury | Altstadthotel Weisses Kreuz is a contemporary hotel with an atmospheric bar in Innsbruck’s pedestrian zone. Stay here for the delicious breakfast, stylish design, professional staff, and location. No on-site parking.

Top Choice – Luxury | Set in a historic building in the center of Innsbruck, the exceptional Weisses Rössl is a boutique hotel with a 600-year-old Tyrolean restaurant. Expect a delicious breakfast. Paid public parking is located nearby.

More Innsbruck Accommodations: Montagu Hostel (budget), Hotel Innsbruck (luxury), or Hotel Zach (luxury)

Look for accommodation in Innsbruck.

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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.

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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.

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