On sunday I went on a hiking trip with my girlfriend and two good friends of us. First we did not really know where to go, but then we decided to go to the Bärenschützklamm.
Bärenschützklamm
What is the Bärenschützklamm?
The Bärenschützklamm gorge in the village Mixnitz, which lies in the Austrian province of Styria, is a water-bearing rock cliff. It was declared a natural monument in 1978.
Past roaring waterfalls, bizarre rock formations, rare flora and fauna, the route surges on through one of the longest active gorges in Austria.
The exciting ascent involves 164 wooden bridges and ladders along 1300 metres. This involves conquering 350 metres of altitude and, with the aid of illustrative wayside presentation boards, offers the opportunity to get to know about the exhilarating gorge’s fascinating vegetation.
Where does the name come from?
The german name "Bärenschütz" (literal translation "bear hunter") may have nothing to do with bears, nor with the word hunter.
According to the opinion of the Slavic onomastic professional world, it is a so-called folk etymology.
That means, the incomprehensible Slavic name, presumably pršica ([pər'͡it͡sa], prschitza, prschitz, meaning of "splashing stream", compare Slovenian prha, meaning of "shower") was reinterpreted to "Bären-schütz".
No bears got harmed, by writing this post ;) - Photocredit: wallpaperup.com
Our Tour
The best time to go hike the Bärenschützklamm is in spring, since there is meltwater coming from the mountains and the waterfalls are very imposant at this time. Now its summer, and the gorge has not much water.
But the whole Tour was impressive anyways ;)
Thats us :D
Start at the parking spot
We started our tour at one of the three available parking spots directly in Mixnitz. The parking spots are free to use. If u want to go there, I recommend to use one of the spots close to the gorge entrance.
From the closest one its about an hour of walking till u reach the entrance of the gorge. At this spot, there is also a Resteurant called "Gasthaus zur Bärenschützklamm", a lot of Info-Material and a diorama of the gorge, where u can see the way through it.
On our way to the closest parking spot.
(There was no spot left, so we took the second closest.)
The diorama at the closest parking spot
The way to the entrance
Even the way to the entrance is impressive. Through forests and meadows we walked our way to the entrance. On the way you can see first creeks and some mini-waterfalls.
We walked through the wood where broad-leaved lindens grow out of crevices. Some plants have survived the last ice age, e.g. the Yellow Monkshood or the Styrian Pasque Flower with its blue hairy bell. The flora is stunning!
Inula salicina
Campanula rapunculoides
Centaurea jacea
Lindens
The entrance
After this impressive walk, we finally reached the entrance to the gorge. At the entrace there is a small toll station, where u have to pay to enter the gorge. The fee is currently at 3,50 Euro per adult.
But it´s worth every cent!
the entrance
After passing the toll station, it is about 10 minutes walk until you finally reach the gorge.
The gorge
Finally we reached the gorge. Now there is the really exhausting, but wonderfull part of conquering 164 wooden bridges and ladders.
the ladders and bridges up the gorge
Up up and awaaayy
As i said, there was not much water in the gorge. So the pictures are not as impressive, as they would be in spring. But the rock formations and caves along the way were very impressive.
looks like this rock fell into the cave from inside the mountain
in spring, this gorge is full of water
impressive way up the gorge
a little waterfall
surrounded by rocks
My Love!
Because i was the photographer, there are not much pictures of me. But here u have two selfies with my beloved girl! ;)
A short break at the water
After about one and a half hour we reached a tiny bay, where we made a short break, cooling our feets and rest a little bit.
Gasthaus "Guter Hirte" at the peak
We continued hiking up the gorge until we finally reached a restaurant called "Guter Hirte". There you can get some cold beer and a restorative hearty meal.
the last few steps
What a tasty, hearty meal! (Wurzelspeck)
And something for the sweet-eaters (Apple crumble cake)
The way back
After resting, eating and drinking, we made us on our way back down to our car. The way down doesn´t lead through the gorge, but on a way called "Prügelweg" (literal translation "bashing-way").
The way leads through the woods back down to the entrance of the gorge.
From there it was about 1h to go back to our car.
The end of a nice day
All in all it was a very impressive (and exhausting) hiking tour.
We had the perfect weather, without rain, and much sun.
If you are in Styria, I recommend you to try it for yourself. You will be impressed.
I hope you liked my post and I was able to hijack you to come with me and enjoy this great hiking tour. If so, please like and resteem this post!
If you have any questions, suggestions or something else to say,please don't hesitate to leave me a comment.
Picture credits:
Photos
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