Bärenschützklamm

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Ladders in the gorge
Bärenschützklamm waterfall
Bärenschützklamm

The Bärenschützklamm in the Austrian state of Styria is a water-bearing rock gorge with limestone cliffs up to 300 m high. It was declared a natural monument in 1978 ( list entry ).

etymology

The name "Bärenschützklamm" should not have anything to do with bears or the root word schütz . In the opinion of Slavic onomastic experts, it is a so-called folk etymology, that is, the already incomprehensible Slavic name, which is presumably * pršica ([ pər'ʃit͡sa ], for example prschitza , prschitz , meaning 'splash stream', compare Slovenian prha 'shower') ) was reinterpreted as Bären-schütz.

Location and climbing system

The gorge is located in the Grazer Bergland in the area of ​​the municipality of Pernegg an der Mur and is traversed by the Mixnitzbach, which flows towards the southwest from the left of the Mur. The starting point of a hike is usually the town of Mixnitz with a train stop of the same name, through which the Mur Cycle Path leads and which offers a parking space for cars and buses. The Central Alpine Trail , an Austrian long-distance hiking trail from Hainburg an der Donau (Lower Austria) to Feldkirch in Vorarlberg , also runs through the gorge .

Since 1901, a climbing system made of wooden bridges and ladders has allowed ascent and established the opening for tourism. The system was severely damaged in thunderstorms in 1997 and then repaired. In 2001 they celebrated their centenary. A total of 164 ladders now overcome a height difference of around 350 meters between approx. 750 m and approx. 1100 m.

The route is maintained by the Mixnitz section of the Alpine Club . The systems are repaired, stones are removed from the path and the rock walls are checked. The gorge is normally open from May up to and including October, and entry is permitted daily from 7.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Entering the gorge is chargeable. The parenthesis fee for adults is 5 euros (as a PES member 4 euros), young people (6–16 years) pay 3.50 euros (as of July 2020).

The path can be difficult for toddlers, parents take responsibility. Dogs are not allowed.

workload

In August 2019, the at times massive influx of tourists with coaches was viewed critically. So that rescue workers can quickly reach places in the gorge in the event of an accident, it was suggested that buses should register so that their arrival can be staggered.

Tours

From the Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm train station of the Südbahn in Mixnitz, past the parking lot, you walk the educational hiking trail dedicated to Archduke Johann for about 1 hour along the information boards to the Hans-Kerl-Hütte with the ticket office at the beginning of the climbing system. According to Günter Auferbauer, the only special thing about the gorge is the access to the cannon barrel , in which the cascade falls roaringly.

For the way through the entire gorge you need about 1.5 hours of walking , the ascent takes a total of 2.5 hours.

The Almgasthaus "Guter Hirte" is located a little above the upper entrance to the gorge. If you don't want to go down the Klammsteig again, there is an alternative from here on the Prügelweg via the Schwaigeralm north of the gorge back to the valley town of Mixnitz.

A tour can be extended from the “Good Shepherd” by 40 minutes to the “Steirischer Jockl” inn with more views or further uphill to the Hochlantsch ( 1720  m ), with a return to Mixnitz a “good day tour” for sporty walkers.

Accident in July 2020

At noon on Wednesday, July 8, 2020, there was a rock fall at a popular location for photography in the gorge. Two women and one man died and nine other people were injured, some seriously. 70-100 workers including helicopters worked on the rescue and rescue. The mayor has closed the climbing system until further notice. The cause is being investigated.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Bärenschützklamm | Municipality of Pernegg an der Mur. Accessed June 2, 2020 (German).
  2. ↑ Almenland / Bärenschützklamm natural jewel hiking tour. Retrieved June 2, 2020 .
  3. ↑ Bärenschützklamm struggles with overload. Accessed August 31, 2019 .
  4. ↑ Through Bärenschützklamm and Drachenhöhle. July 2, 2013, accessed July 9, 2020 .
  5. ↑ Mixnitz - Bärenschützklamm - Hochlantsch - Teichalm: Probably the most spectacular hike in the Almenland! Retrieved July 9, 2020 .
  6. ↑ Through the Bärenschützklamm over the Hochlantsch to the Teichalm. Retrieved July 9, 2020 .
  7. ↑ Markus Hackl: Rock fall in the Bärenschützklamm: Meanwhile three fatalities. In: mein district.at . July 10, 2020, accessed July 12, 2020.
  8. ↑ Rock fall: Another casualty recovered. In: steiermark.orf.at . July 10, 2020, accessed July 10, 2020.
  9. ↑ Two dead in a rock fall in Bärenschützklamm. In: steiermark.orf.at. July 8, 2020, accessed July 8, 2020 .
  10. Jump up ↑ Rockslide: Elevations are in full swing. In: steiermark.orf.at. July 9, 2020, accessed July 9, 2020 .

Web links

Commons : Bärenschützklamm  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 47 ° 20 ′ 31 ″  N , 15 ° 23 ′ 41 ″  E