On sunday I went on a hiking trip with my girlfriend and two good friends of us. First we did not really know where to go, but then we decided to go to the Bärenschützklamm.
Bärenschützklamm
What is the Bärenschützklamm?
The Bärenschützklamm gorge in the village Mixnitz, which lies in the Austrian province of Styria, is a water-bearing rock cliff. It was declared a natural monument in 1978.
Past roaring waterfalls, bizarre rock formations, rare flora and fauna, the route surges on through one of the longest active gorges in Austria.
The exciting ascent involves 164 wooden bridges and ladders along 1300 metres. This involves conquering 350 metres of altitude and, with the aid of illustrative wayside presentation boards, offers the opportunity to get to know about the exhilarating gorge’s fascinating vegetation.
Where does the name come from?
The german name "Bärenschütz" (literal translation "bear hunter") may have nothing to do with bears, nor with the word hunter.
According to the opinion of the Slavic onomastic professional world, it is a so-called folk etymology.
That means, the incomprehensible Slavic name, presumably pršica ([pər'͡it͡sa], prschitza, prschitz, meaning of "splashing stream", compare Slovenian prha, meaning of "shower") was reinterpreted to "Bären-schütz".
No bears got harmed, by writing this post ;) - Photocredit: wallpaperup.com
Our Tour
The best time to go hike the Bärenschützklamm is in spring, since there is meltwater coming from the mountains and the waterfalls are very imposant at this time. Now its summer, and the gorge has not much water.
But the whole Tour was impressive anyways ;)
Thats us :D
Start at the parking spot
We started our tour at one of the three available parking spots directly in Mixnitz. The parking spots are free to use. If u want to go there, I recommend to use one of the spots close to the gorge entrance.
From the closest one its about an hour of walking till u reach the entrance of the gorge. At this spot, there is also a Resteurant called "Gasthaus zur Bärenschützklamm", a lot of Info-Material and a diorama of the gorge, where u can see the way through it.
On our way to the closest parking spot.
(There was no spot left, so we took the second closest.)
The diorama at the closest parking spot
The way to the entrance
Even the way to the entrance is impressive. Through forests and meadows we walked our way to the entrance. On the way you can see first creeks and some mini-waterfalls.
We walked through the wood where broad-leaved lindens grow out of crevices. Some plants have survived the last ice age, e.g. the Yellow Monkshood or the Styrian Pasque Flower with its blue hairy bell. The flora is stunning!
Inula salicina
Campanula rapunculoides
Centaurea jacea
Lindens
The entrance
After this impressive walk, we finally reached the entrance to the gorge. At the entrace there is a small toll station, where u have to pay to enter the gorge. The fee is currently at 3,50 Euro per adult.
But it´s worth every cent!
the entrance
After passing the toll station, it is about 10 minutes walk until you finally reach the gorge.
The gorge
Finally we reached the gorge. Now there is the really exhausting, but wonderfull part of conquering 164 wooden bridges and ladders.
the ladders and bridges up the gorge
Up up and awaaayy
As i said, there was not much water in the gorge. So the pictures are not as impressive, as they would be in spring. But the rock formations and caves along the way were very impressive.
looks like this rock fell into the cave from inside the mountain
in spring, this gorge is full of water
impressive way up the gorge
a little waterfall
surrounded by rocks
My Love!
Because i was the photographer, there are not much pictures of me. But here u have two selfies with my beloved girl! ;)
A short break at the water
After about one and a half hour we reached a tiny bay, where we made a short break, cooling our feets and rest a little bit.
Gasthaus "Guter Hirte" at the peak
We continued hiking up the gorge until we finally reached a restaurant called "Guter Hirte". There you can get some cold beer and a restorative hearty meal.
the last few steps
What a tasty, hearty meal! (Wurzelspeck)
And something for the sweet-eaters (Apple crumble cake)
The way back
After resting, eating and drinking, we made us on our way back down to our car. The way down doesn´t lead through the gorge, but on a way called "Prügelweg" (literal translation "bashing-way").
The way leads through the woods back down to the entrance of the gorge.
From there it was about 1h to go back to our car.
The end of a nice day
All in all it was a very impressive (and exhausting) hiking tour.
We had the perfect weather, without rain, and much sun.
If you are in Styria, I recommend you to try it for yourself. You will be impressed.
I hope you liked my post and I was able to hijack you to come with me and enjoy this great hiking tour. If so, please like and resteem this post!
If you have any questions, suggestions or something else to say,please don't hesitate to leave me a comment.
Picture credits:
Photos @w0olf
Page divider by @dksart
Banner by @son-of-satire
This Post was Added to the Steemit Social Media Queue.
Thank you very much!!!
i like the report, regards @w0olf Follow
A beautiful post @w0olf! It looks like you all had a wonderful time and the photos are amazing. I feel like I've been there now myself. :)
Thank you @tonyr! That was my intention! :D Take my fellow Steemians with me ;)
You certainly did. You're a great photographer too @w0olf! Take it easy mate!
Hey @w0olf. I'd really be honored if you would be a guest judge for the contest. I was thinking either the next one or the following week whichever would suit you better. I realise you are very busy and I am asking a lot of you so please let me know when it is convenient. I would be very happy for you to choose the theme if you have something in mind or if not we can discuss it and see what we can come up with. If you have anything specific in mind for adding to the contest or making it more fun and interactive please let me know. :)
I hope life is treating you well my friend! Look forward to hearing back from you!
Hey @tonyr! I am the one who's honoured! :D you can count on me. So if you want I'm your judge for the next contest! I already have an Idea for the theme and the pictures!
So let's keep in touch my friend!
Wish u a nice Day!
Cheers,
Wolf
:[)
Glad to hear that @w0olf. You have full control of choosing the theme and images mate. And if you want to add anything to the main contest post ie what kind of thing your looking for in terms of judging the contest or want to add anything you feel might m,ake it more fun just let me know.
I really appreciate it buddy! Speak soon!
Great! I just found you on discord, because you were promoting the contest :) So I think we can chat there!
Never seen as long a series of ladders and bridges as you have captured here @w0olf.
Must have been exhilarating walking along them and looking into the gorge and seeing all the waterfalls. Such a beautiful way to spend a day with so many magical moments.
That looks like a really nice hiking trail! I like the stairs leading up the hill, it must be quite good exercise. How many km would you say that the trail is?
You are right, it was an really good exercise @mialinnea! The trail is about 1.3km long and 350m upwart. :) Hard to say, because there are parts where u only go up.
I see! Well the nature is wonderful :)
Nice trail. Austria has so many cool places to hike at!
Great post!
Thank u very much @valerykit! I really appreciate it :D
awesome post dude ;D
Hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Super Post.
Freut mich zu hören! :)
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by w0olf from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, and someguy123. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
If you like what we're doing please upvote this comment so we can continue to build the community account that's supporting all members.
Congratulations @w0olf! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPThank u @xuanvo. :) If u like them it would be great if u upvote/resteem this post. :D