Almenland Bärenschützklamm / Natural Gem / Hiking Trail

Waterfall and Ladders in the Bärenschützklamm Gorge

The Bärenschützklamm is one of Austria’s most beautiful water-filled rock gorges. A hike through untamed waterfalls and rugged cliffs is a memorable experience for any hiker. The indescribable power of nature—where constant dripping wears away the stone—becomes evident here. The gorge has been a natural monument since 1978 . The first section of the trail was built in 1901 and has been renovated several times since then.

The limestone cliffs in the gorge, which are 200–300 meters thick , bear witness to a geological past dating back 400 million years. Karst springs, caves, karren and rills, rock niches, and pot-shaped rock potholes reveal the surface-shaping forces of water. From a botanical and zoological perspective, the gorge serves as a refuge for numerous plants and animals. During the Ice Age, relict plants from higher elevations “fled” into the gorge; after the Ice Age, heat-loving species migrated in from the south and southeast; today, they often grow right next to one another in the Bärenschützklamm. As findings in several caves show—including the “Drachenhöhle”, humans were already at home in the “Central Styrian Karst” as early as the Neolithic period.

Hiking in the Bärenschützklamm Gorge

There are several ways to hike through the Bärenschützklamm Gorge. The starting point for the Bärenschützklamm loop hike is the village of Mixnitz. It’s easily accessible by train from Graz in about 30 minutes. From the train station or the parking lots in Mixnitz, it’s about a 1.5-hour walk to the gorge entrance. From there, the trail leads along paths and up ladders through the rugged, rocky Bärenschützklamm gorge. Once at the top, you can stop for a break at the Guten Hirten. You can then either take the so-called “Prügelweg” back to the gorge entrance or continue hiking toward Teichalm and/or Hochlantsch.

The Bärenschützklamm gorge is made available to the public by the Franz Mayr-Melnhof-Saurau Forestry Operation and is maintained by the Austrian Alpine Club, Mixnitz Section.

You can find all the information about the hike and various hiking options here!

About the Hike

Hours & Prices

The gorge is open daily from May 1 through October 31, weather permitting, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This means you must enter the gorge by 4:00 p.m. No registration is required.

Gorge Conservation Fees:

€10.00 for adults
€8.00 for adult ÖAV members
€6.00 Children and teens ages 6 to 16
You can pay by card or cash.

Directions, Parking & Public Transportation

The best way to reach the Bärenschützklamm is via the Bruck S35 expressway, taking the Mixnitz exit. Of course, you can also reach Mixnitz via Teichalm and Breitenau on the Hochlantsch.

Getting there by public transportation:

Mixnitz-Bärenschützklamm Station
SAM Shared Taxi East Styria, Stop BM3516 (Bärenschützklamm Parking Lot) or Stop BM3514 (Mixnitz Train Station)
Bus Route No. 167
The best way is to find the fastest connection at www.verbundline.at!

Parking Options at a Glance:
There are three parking lots available:

Premium Parking: Right next to the Grassauer snack bar (only 40 spaces) - Maps
Parking Lot 1 in Mixnitz - Maps
Parking Lot 2 in Mixnitz - Maps

Parking fees must be paid on site, by credit card only.

Premium Parking:

Full day: €9.00
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: €5.00
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: €3.00

Parking Lots 1 & 2:

Full day: €6.00
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: €3.00
4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: €2.00

The “Bärli-Express,” a shuttle service, runs every 20 minutes (Thursday through Sunday) between parking lots 1 and 2 and the premium parking lot.

Bärli-Express - Shuttle

The Bärli-Express is a shuttle service that takes visitors from Parking Lots 1 and 2 to the Grassauer Inn during the Bärenschützklamm season. (Saves about 20 minutes of walking time)
From the Grassauer Inn, it’s then about another hour’s walk to the official gorge entrance with the ticket booth.

The shuttle runs every half hour from Thursday through Sunday:

8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Rates:

One-way fare: 3 €
Round trip: 5 €

Tickets are available directly from the shuttle on site. Reservations are not accepted.

From Monday through Wednesday, special tours can be booked for groups of 15 or more.
Contact: +43 650 8668668

Kids, Dogs, & Refreshments

Children are welcome at the Bärenschützklamm, but we recommend this hike only for children ages 7 and up. The entire hike is very challenging and can even be dangerous for young children in some places. Parents or guardians are responsible for their children!

Dogs are not allowed in the gorge. They are also not allowed to be carried in a backpack.

Places to stop for a bite to eat:

Gasthaus Grassauer
Open Thursday through Monday starting at 9:00 a.m.
T: +43 3867 8668
Guter Hirte
Open daily from May 1 through October 31
T: +43 664 5365004
Cash only!

Of course, you can also continue hiking—for example, to the Steirischer Jokl Inn (Hochlantsch) or to the inns on the Teichalm.

For Czech visitors to the Bärenschützklamm Gorge, we have compiled all the important information about the hike, places to stop for refreshments, and nearby attractions in the Czech Republic. Before you go, please check the information about the hike, dining options, parking, and hours of operation.

About the Translation

For our Czech guests visiting the Bärenschützklamm, we have compiled all the important information about the hike, the rest stops, and nearby attractions in Czech. Please check the details about the hike, rest stops, parking options, and opening hours before you set out.

For the translation

Bärenschützklamm
, Mixnitz Section of the Alpine Club

Bärenschütz 40
8131 Mixnitz
T: +43 676 9222508
Email: baerenschuetzklamm-mixnitz (at) sektion.alpenverein. at
Web: www.baerenschuetzklamm.com

For more information, contact Almenland:
T: +43 3179 23000
Email: almenland (at) oststeiermark.com

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