In the heart of the Salzburg region, slightly south of Zell am See and Kaprun, and a short drive from the giant dams in Kaprun or the Kitzsteinhorn glacier and its observation decks, there is a natural canyon of spectacular beauty called Sigmund Thun. It is recommended to combine a visit to the natural canyon with a visit to the Kaprun dams.
General Information about Sigmund Thun
14,000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age, the entire Kaprun valley area was covered by a huge glacier. The melting of the glacier created powerful rivers that carved into the mountain rocks for thousands of years. The persistent and strong flow of the rivers created natural canyons in the heart of the high mountains. One of the most spectacular canyons in the Salzburg region is located in this area and is called Sigmund-Thun-Klamm.
The canyon was opened to visitors as early as the end of the 19th century after a man named Nikolaus Gassner managed to build a wooden path along the canyon. The path was open for a period but was closed to visitors at the end of the 1930s. Its closure was due to the construction of a power station nearby that used the power of the river’s flow to generate electricity.
Only in 1991 was the trail reopened to hikers. Today, the gorge serves as a popular tourist site and, at the same time, as a site for generating electricity from water energy, operated by the local energy company Verbund.
Sigmund Thun Gorge – Hiking Trail
The hiking trail is beautifully maintained and regulated. There are wooden bridges along the sides of the massive rock face, and it’s worth noting that there are stairs on the ascent along the trail. The gorge itself is about 320 meters long. The walk inside is one-way, and after exiting it, there is a nature walk of about 20 minutes back to the entrance.
The trail inside the gorge is short and comfortable for all levels and, of course, for children. You can finish the walk inside the gorge in about 15 minutes and then walk about 15 minutes back to the entrance. In total, about 30 minutes at a relaxed pace.
Please note: If you do not want to walk inside the gorge itself, you can walk on the paved path that bypasses the gorge and view it from above. If you continue walking on this path, you can reach the end of the Sigmund-Thun trail where the waterfall is located. From there, you can continue on the path towards the charming Klammsee lake. This path is also suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
Watch the wonderful nature from the hiking trail in the gorge
Recommended addition to the hiking trail in the gorge – Klammsee Lake and Bürgkogel
At the end of the walk inside the gorge, it is recommended to continue to the trail that circles the nearby Klammsee lake. This is a simple and pleasant circular route of about an hour with stops for photos. At the end of the charming lake (about a 15-minute walk from the end of the Sigmund Thun trail), there is a café and a rustic restaurant (Klammseestüberl) where you can stop to refresh yourself. In addition, there is a playground for children with swings, a zipline, and slides. The lake itself is beautiful, and the water color is a stunning turquoise shade. On hot days, you can splash in the water. The landscapes surrounding the lake are most charming, and the combination of the turquoise color against the backdrop of the mountain peaks is truly breathtaking!
Tip for landscape lovers and experienced hikers: At the exit of the gorge, along the trail around the lake, you can join another trail that leads to the Bürgkogel hill. The trail includes a rather steep ascent, but at the end, you reach a lovely viewpoint overlooking the lake and the entire area. The walk to the top of the hill and back takes about an hour, after which you can continue on the trail around the lake.
Special Events Inside the Gorge
During the summer months, several lovely events take place inside the gorge.
- Mystical Night of Water – A guided tour in the evening hours suitable for parents and children. As a group, you set out to see the gorge at twilight, listen to the sounds of nature at night, and see the massive rock faces illuminated with a variety of special lights. Throughout the summer months, this event takes place on Mondays at 7:30 PM. The cost of the night tour is €12 for an adult and €6 for a child (7-15). Children up to age 6 can join for free. More information about this event.
- Gorgeous Lights – From mid-June until the last week of October, the gorge is open to visitors on Friday nights in the dark. During this time, it is illuminated with a variety of lovely lights and provides an extraordinary experience of lights and the sounds of nature! Suitable for adults and children alike. The walk in the gorge is free and not part of a guided tour. The entrance fee is €10 for an adult and €5 for a child (7-15). Children up to age 6 can join for free. More information about this event and the opening hours throughout the different months.
Other Essential Information for Your Visit
The trail in the gorge itself is not suitable for strollers and for people with disabilities who use a wheelchair. The bypass trail and the one that circles Lake Klammsee are suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
Opening Hours:
- From mid-May until September 30th, every day from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM.
- From July 1st to the end of August, the gorge is open until 7:00 PM.
- From October 1st to November 2nd, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
Entrance Fee:
- Adult – €7.50
- Child – €5.40
- Family ticket – €16
- Free entry for holders of the Zell am See-Kaprun Summer Card (Sommerkarte). The card can be obtained from May to October from a variety of hotels and guest houses in the Zell am See-Kaprun area if you stay there for at least one night.
- Free entry for holders of the Salzburgerland Card.
During the summer months, the gorge can be crowded! It is possible and even recommended to book tickets in advance online on the official website.
- Official Website
- Address: Krafthausstrasse 22, 5710 Kaprun
- Parking: Near the entrance to the gorge, there are several free parking lots for visitors. The closest parking lot to the entrance is P1, but there are three other nearby parking lots (P2, P3, P4) from which you have to walk a bit more to the entrance. Map with markings of the parking lots near the gorge. From the parking lot, there is clear signage to the ticket booths at the entrance.
- Map:
Since the visit to Sigmund Thun and Lake Klamm is relatively short, it is worth combining it with a visit to the Kaprun dams or an ascent to the summit of the Kitzsteinhorn glacier. Another option is a visit to the amusement park in Kaprun and a ride on the alpine coaster there.
