Austria's Longest Gorge
The Great and Little Raab Gorges , with a combined length of about 17 kilometers, form Austria’s longest gorge. The Raab Gorge, a paradise for nature lovers and hikers, is located near the district capital of Weiz and borders theAlmenlandNaturpark Almenlandin Arzberg. Experience the natural beauty of the Raabklamm in a unique way. It’s the ideal hiking area for people of all ages and families with children. With a little luck, you can admire dippers, gray herons, and black storks as they forage along the Raab River.
Due to the exceptional conservation value of its biodiversity—both flora and fauna—the Große Raabklamm was designated a nature reserve in 1970 and, since 1996, has been designated as European Protected Area No. 9 (Natura 2000). Hiking through the Raabklamm is permitted only on marked trails. The hiking trails are well marked with information and directional signs.
Flora & Fauna: in the Raab Gorge
The Raab River cuts through the limestone region between Schöckl and Sattelberg and flows largely in its natural state through the gorge. The steep slopes are home to near-natural beech and maple-ash forests. As early as spring, woodruff stretches its delicate white blossoms upward in the still-sparse forest. A little later, the spotted lungwort—which starts out with pink flowers that gradually turn blue—adds a splash of color to the cool, damp deciduous forest.
Numerous tall perennials thrive on the gravel islands right in the Raab riverbed. For example, the white night violet—which grows over 1.5 meters tall and has dark pink to white flowers—blooms here. It is one of the rarer species in Styria. Horse mint and bitter chickweed also thrive here.
This area provides a habitat for birds that depend on old trees, some of which are already dead. Black storks, pygmy owls, and eagle owls all nest here. The numerous caves in the gorge serve as important winter roosts for the lesser and greater mouse-eared bats, as well as the barbastelle. Among the insects, Austria’s largest dragonfly species is certainly worth mentioning: the striped spring dragonfly.
The Source of a Mystical River
North of Passail, at the foot of the Osser and in the heart of the Almenland Nature Park, the Raab River has its source. This mystical river flows 250 km through Eastern Styria and Hungary until it empties into the Danube near Győr. A few kilometers past Passail, the Raab forms Austria’s longest gorge.
The Raab Spring, a small fenced-in area featuring the spring and an information sign, is easily accessible from Passail. The road leads to the “Waldmühle” snack bar; from there, the Raabursprung Loop Trail begins, taking about 1 hour to climb up to the source. Alternatively, you can hike down to the Raabursprung from the “Schwoabauer-Kreuz” on the Sommeralm.
