A wild romantic rock gorge with a doctorate - the longest gorge in Upper Austria and the second longest gorge in Austria!
Experience the natural spectacle of the rushing water in the longest gorge in Upper Austria, measuring over 1.5 km from the ticket house and 2.7 km from parking lot 2, as well as 500 wooden and stone steps. The gorge is also the starting point for the approximately 5-hour 3-hut hike (Bosruckhütte, Rohrauerhaus, and Hofalm).
The Dr. Vogelgesang Gorge is suitable for toddlers and older individuals with the appropriate fitness level and hiking experience. After the ascent, you will join the international long-distance hiking trail (E 601 via alpina), where a beautiful and popular circular hike is available. After climbing, a little tired, you can relax in the Bosruckhütte, at Rohrauerhaus, or before descending to Spital am Pyhrn at Hofalm and strengthen yourself with good home-cooked meals.
Dr. Moritz Vogelgesang was the community doctor of Spital am Pyhrn.
As he was also the chairman of the beautification association, he made great efforts to make this wild romantic rock gorge, over 1.5 km long, accessible, which is why it bears his name. However, it is often mistakenly referred to as the Vogelsang Gorge.
The Dr. Vogelgesang Gorge was first made partially accessible for the summer visitors in 1906. In 1908, the gorge was destroyed by flooding. From 1926 to 1927, the entire rock gorge was adapted by the municipality of Spital am Pyhrn with stairs and walkways anchored in the vertical rock for hiking. When traversing the Dr. Vogelgesang Gorge, about 500 steps must be climbed. These stairs and walkways are thoroughly checked before opening in early May and are well maintained throughout the summer, ensuring that visitors can safely and risk-free experience the natural spectacle of the rushing water. In 2006, the gorge celebrated its 100th anniversary.
Legal contact information
Gemeinde Spital am PyhrnMay 1 to November 1
Weekdays: 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
From November 2 to the end of April, the winter closure applies and the gorge is closed!
655 m
Accessibility / arrivalATTENTION: Drive from the motorway exit without sat nav - this will usually lead you to the wrong gorge!
On the A9, the Pyhrn motorway, take the Spital am Pyhrn exit and turn left. Drive through the village of Spital am Pyhrn. 100 metres after the end of the village (just before the Panorama indoor pool), turn right into Sandstraße and follow the signs along the Trattenbach stream to the Grünau district (approx. 2 km).
Or via the B138 from Windischgarsten in the direction of Spital am Pyhrn, after the Panorama indoor pool turn left into Sandstraße and follow the signs along the Trattenbach stream to the Grünau district (approx. 2km).
Public transport: With the ÖBB postbus (line 911) or with the postbus (line 436) to the Spital am Pyhrn Stiftsplatz stop - walking time to the gorge entrance approx. 30 minutes. Walk down Weinmeisterstrasse between the Kemetmüller pastry shop and the municipal office. After the Lindenhof youth paradise, follow the signs to the gorge.
All information about the parking fees for the "Klamm parking spaces" can be found at: https://www.urlaubsregion-pyhrn-priel.at/service/anreise-mobilitaet/autoanreise/parken-spital-am-pyhrn.html
Attention: there are no bus parking spaces at the gorge! Buses can turn around at the turnaround point and then park for free down in the valley by the indoor swimming pool in Spital am Pyhrn.
ParkingBracket holding fee:
In wet weather the wooden steps are slippery.
Wooden footbridges and wooden steps that are open at the back run through the gorge. Many small children manage to hike through the gorge, but for some it is too much.
Dogs are allowed in the gorge, but keep in mind that the steps are open at the back and this is a big problem for many dogs.
Not suitable for wheelchairs. The property is not compliant with Austria's ÖNORM legal standard.