On September 22nd

Styrian natural jewel opens its gates again

The Bärenschützklamm can soon be entered again.

(Bild: Hannes Wallner)

It's finally fixed: on September 22, the Bärenschützklamm gorge will reopen after a fatal rockfall four years ago caused its closure. A great joy for hikers, as the opening date had been postponed several times due to the challenging repair work.

On July 8, 2020, shocking news kept Styria on tenterhooks: a boulder had come loose in the Bärenschützklamm gorge and claimed the lives of three hikers. From one day to the next, the natural monument closed its doors - the inns at the foot of the gorge lost their guests and the Mixnitz Alpine Club lost its most popular excursion destination.

The shock was followed by two years of planning on how to repair the destroyed paths and remove the wood that had washed up. However, much of the work turned out to be an even greater challenge - the work could only be completed with climbing equipment and a helicopter. "The performance of the workers was truly amazing," says Gerhard Jantscher, Chairman of the Mixnitz Alpine Club.

Since the rockfall, I've always gone in there with awe. To see the gorge finished now after all these years is really cool.

Gerhard Jantscher, Vorsitzender des Alpenverein Mixnitz

The opening date had to be postponed several times, but now the long wait has come to an end: a reliable date has been set for September 22, confirms Jantscher. "I've always gone in with awe since the rockslide. To see the gorge finished now after all these years is really cool."

Even though the hiking season is already well underway, many Styrians are delighted - up to 40,000 visitors have been counted in the gorge every year. "The gorge is open until October 31 - provided there are no freak weather conditions. But we've always had to close it then," says Jantscher.

Admission will cost nine euros for adults and six euros for children (6 to 16 years), payable at the ticket office at the entrance to the gorge. From landlord Hubert Grassauer at the foot of the gorge to the "Good Shepherd" on the rock, it is about 800 meters in altitude with a walking time of just under three hours.