Circular hiking trail through Donnersbach Gorge

easy closed Family hikes · Grimming-Donnersbachtal

Current Conditions
Elevated on 18/11/24
Winter closure
Tour characteristics
Stamina
Technique
Tour-Infos
Distance: 4.75 km
Duration: 02:00 h
Ascent: 200 m
Descent: 200 m
Best time of year
january
february
march
april
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july
august
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december
The tour
10 out of 10 hiking points go to the home of the Donnersbach squirrel community: the Donnersbachklamm gorge. It is a natural monument and, without exaggeration, a great silent attraction. You hike through forest and meadow, past sandbanks, to the Holzknechthütte. At the heart of the gorge, the large footbridge and the story bank invite you to listen and observe. Continue up to the Klammsteigruhe, through the narrow rock tunnel and green forest up to the forest road. This leads you back to the village with views of Donnersbach.

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Turn-by-turn directions
From 22.07.2024 to 15.10.2024
No parking directly at the gorge entrance due to road renovation.

There is also room for a car at the starting point at Gasthof Leitner. Once you have laced up your shoes and brought your jacket and rucksack, off you go. After a 10-minute walk, following the signposts, you come to the entrance to the gorge, down a few steps, along the narrow path lined with meadows and woods, with the stream flowing to the right of the path. Pass sandbanks where the many stones, marbled, with shells and flints are quite something. When you reach the large meadow, which is covered with colourful flowers in spring, you can already see the woodcutter's hut and the model of a water rake.

At the following spring you can refresh yourself again before the ups and downs of the path become more. Accompanied by the scent of damp moss, sorrel and wild strawberries, a unique feeling develops as you then walk along soft ground, sometimes over roots and stones, letting your thoughts run free and marvelling at the power of the water as it tumbles over the rocks into the depths. You should linger here for a moment, breathe in the clear freshness and feel the wet splashes on the tip of your nose.

A glance upwards is enough to see the lichens glowing yellow from the rock. Continue to the footbridge, up and down the steps, until you reach the Klammsteigruhe. Be sure to pause here before going uphill again after the "tunnel". At the top of the clearing, there is a bench for a rest. Follow the signposts back through forest and meadow to the road. Once you have crossed the road, follow the forest path back to the starting point. Let your soul dangle on the flat stretch of the forest path, take a look at the mountain farms across the road, look back on the distance you have covered and simply enjoy yourself! Makes sense.

Way number: 1

Getting there
At Stainach or Wörschach you branch off from B320 towards Irdning and then go further to Donnersbach. 
Take bus 941 to the bus stop "Donnersbach Abzweigung Ilgenberg". The starting point of the hike is also at Gasthof Leitner opposite.Attention! No bus connection during the summer holidays. Bus timetable: www.verbundlinie.at

The nearest train station "Stainach-Irdning" is about 12 kilometres away in Stainach. Train timetable:www.oebb.at

Parking
Free parking at Gasthof Leitner in Donnersbach.
Start
Parking lot Gasthof Leitner
Destination
Parking lot Gasthof Leitner
Equipment
  • If the weather gets worse, you should turn back in time. If you get caught in a thunderstorm, do not stay on the summit or ridge and keep away from single trees. Wait, if possible in a crouching position, to be safe during the thunderstorm.
  • Stay on the clearly marked paths and remember to close pasture fences when you pass them on your way.
  • In case of an emergency, keep calm and call the mountain rescue service under 140. If you have no cell phone signal, take out your sim card and dial 112.
  • If you meet cows: Walk above the herd at least 50 meters away. Stay calm, don't make hectic movements and don't run away. Do not imitate cow sounds and try not to stroke the animals. With a stick and loud calls, the animals can often be turned around in an emergency.
  • If you are a dog owner: Clarify already before the hike whether you have to cross grazing areas. Keep your dog on a leash and make sure that he keeps calm. Let the dog off the leash immediately in case of a cow attack. Never pick him up to defend him. 
Shoes with a light tread and clothing suitable for the weather are sufficient for this tour. You might also want to pack a snack in your backpack to enjoy nature during a break.

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Weather forecast

Date
in the morning
2°C
at noon
3°C
in the evening
1°C
Snowfall and rain will persist into the afternoon, then the clouds will break up.
in the morning
-3°C
at noon
1°C
in the evening
-2°C
Partly sunny in the morning, gradually becoming cloudy in the afternoon.
in the morning
-2°C
at noon
-1°C
in the evening
-2°C
A mixture of sunny periods and scattered snow showers.

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