Zimmerbergklamm – hiking on the gorge trail near Telfs

Fancy exploring the mountains around Innsbruck? Then the Zimmerbergklamm near Telfs is just the right excursion for you. The gorge trail near Telfs is a wonderful hiking trail.

We took the bus to Telfs quite early in the morning. With our Welcome Card Innsbruck, use of the bus was free of charge and in this case the ideal way to reach Telfs.

In Telfs, meeting point was directly in front of the shopping center, a guided hike started, which is offered free of charge for holders of the Welcome Card Innsbruck. However, you have to register in advance, as transport has to be organized from the meeting point to the starting point of the hike. This is also free of charge!

Gorge hike from Telfs

We and our fellow hikers took a cab to the starting point of the tour. This is located at a parking lot at Aluwelten Thöni in Telfs at an altitude of around 730 meters. From there, a signposted path leads into the gorge.

What is a Klamm (gorge)?

A Klamm is a narrow valley, a narrow ravine in the mountains. This term is particularly common in Austria and Bavaria. In other areas, this type of valley is called a slot canyon, for example.

A Klamm is formed when a flowing body of water cuts into the rock over a long period of time. This means that water flows in the valley area and, depending on the conditions (rain, melting snow), can sometimes be torrential. It can be particularly dangerous in heavy rain.

The rock faces are quite steep and the valley is often so narrow that hardly any sun shines in.

There are paths for hikers in some particularly beautiful gorges. There are bridges over the river and footbridges along the rock faces.

The Zimmerbergklamm is a gorge located in the west of Telfs in Tyrol. It is a natural monument formed by the Griesbach stream.

The route of the Zimmerbergklamm near Telfs

We have tracked our hike. You can follow the route very easily on the map. The elevation profile reveals a lot about the route. We were accompanied by a family with two children (primary school age). For them, the trail was not only an adventure, but also very manageable. However, it is important to wear good shoes, preferably hiking boots, and don’t forget to take something to drink!

Here we go…

I was really amazed. Having just been standing right next to a factory, within a few minutes we were in a fabulously beautiful landscape. We quickly crossed the first bridge. This is where the Griesbach should actually flow. But there was no water rushing and bubbling here, just a trickle. The riverbed was almost dry.

From now on, the path leads past a few benches and steadily gains height, between the trees along the towering limestone cliffs further and further into the valley. The path is very well developed. This is certainly due to the fact that it is still relatively new. In 2014, there was a rockfall that made the path impassable at the time. When a flood and two mudslides destroyed bridges in the valley in 2016, it was no longer possible to hike there for a while. The path has since been rebuilt, new bridges have been built and the Zimmerbergklamm is now an incredibly beautiful hiking area.

Untouched nature with mosses, ferns and a fairly dense forest accompanied us along the way. A perfect break for anyone who loves alpine flora and fauna.

The Zimmerbergklamm offers countless photo opportunities. I was particularly impressed by the mountain peaks that could be seen through the trees.

Highlights of the Zimmerbergklamm near Telfs

My absolute highlight of the tour was the path over a suspension bridge and a staircase on a steep wall.

The wooden staircase in the almost vertical rock face zigzags upwards over several “floors”. The view over the steep cliffs and the valley below is impressive and I find it hard to take my eyes off it. What a view!

The 30-metre-long steel suspension bridge leads from one side of the gorge over the Zimmerberggraben. Below us is the riverbed of the Griesbach, which is already carrying considerably more water here than at the start of our hike. From the bridge, you can see the gorge below and the surrounding mountain panorama.

The way back

We started our way back to Telfs after the bridge. After we had mastered one last ascent, the descent began for us. We could have continued along the path into the gorge, but the guided tour is limited in time and we still had to get to the pick-up point.

I don’t think going downhill is any less strenuous than going uphill. The paths were now a little wider and led us away from the gorge. The destination was in Lehen. On forest paths and at the end of an asphalt road, we first reached the edge of the village. Here we passed some meadows. For me, the view of the mountains is the epitome of the mountain world.

We were picked up at an inn by our cab and driven back to Telfs.

Is it worth it????

The Zimmerbergklamm near Telfs is a real tip for hikers looking for an idyllic, peaceful and at the same time impressive natural backdrop. Compared to the better-known gorges in Tyrol, this hike is less crowded, which makes it particularly charming. The mixture of adventure and relaxation as well as the proximity to Innsbruck make it a perfect day trip.

We liked it!

Good to know

The hike was part of the program of a press trip to Innsbruck.