Route: Gleirschklamm Gorge
Area: Austria, Tyrol
Date of walk: 27th June 2025
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 10.5 miles
Ascent: 1,500 feet
Weather: Mixed sun and cloud
On the final day of our walking holiday in the Austrian Tyrol we decided to visit the Karwendel Nature Park, Tyrol’s largest protected area and Austria’s largest nature park. We especially wanted to visit the Gleirschklamm Gorge which we’d read about on the very useful and informative Seefeld website
Using our free PlateauCards we caught the bus from Mösern to Seefeld and from there the train to Scharnitz. Our walk started from the railway station, but anyone arriving by car could save a mile or so by parking near the information centre. Keeping the River Isar on our left we followed a path along the valley passing by the Scharnitzer Alm and continuing through woodland with the river some way below. After a while the valley walls narrowed and the path left the river, heading south to the entrance of the Gleirschklamm Gorge. This was a spectacular section of the walk and one of the highlights of our holiday. With steep limestone cliffs towering above us we followed a narrow path beside the Gleirschbach. There were steep drops for much of the way, but steel cables in the canyon walls provided assistance. We crossed several small bridges and on one occasion we walked through a tunnel in the rocks
The weather forecast had predicted rain by this point and we had provisionally planned to walk back the same way. However the weather remained fair so we continued to the end of the gorge, which gradually widened the further we climbed. Eventually we reached a junction with a forest path and turned right, following signs for Scharnitz. The forest path provided a long but easy route back and there were wonderful mountain views along the way. When we arrived back in Scharnitz we crossed over the River Isar and followed the roads leading back to the railway station. It had been a fantastic walk and a great end to our holiday in the Seefeld area
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On the way to the nearby bus stop in Mösern, we pass by the lovely Church of Maria Heimsuchung
Having caught the bus to Seefeld we then took the train to Scharnitz. We started the walk from here
The Parish Church Maria Hilf
We walk along the streets of Scharnitz and near the information centre we follow a sign on the right pointing to Gleirschlamm
Looking back to Scharnitz as we follow a narrow path uphill through the trees...
View along the River Isar from a bridge (which we don't cross)
We continue along the path with the river below on our left...
The River Isar below as the scenery becomes more rugged...
Looking into the Gleirschklamm Gorge
The path turns away from the River Isar and heads into the gorge, following the course of a tributary, the Gleirschbach
We enter into the Gleirschklamm Gorge...
The stream running through the gorge is the Gleirschbach
Around this corner lies a wonderful section of the walk...
The walls of the gorge narrow, while huge limestone cliffs tower above us. We cross the first of many small bridges
We pass through a short tunnel...
...and over another bridge
Looking back to the tunnel
The way ahead
Another bridge, or boardwalk, with steel cables to cling onto
An eroded section where steel cables assist progress
We continue uphill...
Looking back as the gorge gradually widens
We cross over the Gleirschbach via the bridge ahead, near a point where it intersects with two other streams
We reach the top of the gorge and and continue uphill
Looking down to the Gleirschbach
We reach a grassy plateau at the high point of the walk
The remainder of the walk is a gentle descent along a wide track
Views of the surrounding peaks along the way...
We arrive above Scharnitz
Back down at valley level we follow the road on the other bank of the River Isar
Back to Scharnitz and the end of a fantastic walk
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