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Mauthner Klamm - Klabautersteig

JORDAN1. 09. 2017 12:00:47

On Sunday we visited the Mauthner Klamm gorge again after five years
through which the Valentinbach stream flows. The starting point for the gorge is in Austrian Carinthia in the settlement of Kötscah Mauthen, specifically at the parking lot by the Schwimbad swimming pool in Mauthen. We get there via the Gail Valley through Hermagor further to Kötscah Mauthen, in Mauthen we continue towards Plöckenpass pass, when the road in the old part of the settlement turns right towards the pass we continue straight through narrow streets to the parking lot at Schwimbad. From here everything is marked and in approx. 20 min we are at the road before the entrance to the gorge. The 1st part of the path is suitable for everyone and leads along the stream, through tunnels and over bridges of the Valentinbach stream. At the end of the 1st part of the path the secured path Klabautersteig begins, which for the most part runs through water, sometimes reaching the knees. The path is excellently marked with red dots and arrows which show us the easiest passages over the stream and along it. On all difficult parts it is secured with steel cables and pins and staples help us. The difficulty of the secured parts reaches C grade on one part, so SVK kit is needed. The rock is wet and slippery so constant caution is needed. On the path there are two steep emergency exits on the right side along the stream upwards but I don't recommend them.
For the path we needed 4 hours in slow pace, marked is I think 3 hours.
Return is possible via Romerweg path on the right side above the stream or by road which leads to Plöckenpass on the left side.
It's good to have two cars so we can return to the starting point to the first one, we returned to the starting point by hitchhiking. We visited the gorge already in 2012, winter 2013/2014 caused so much damage that they reopened it only this May. Compared to 2012 it has undergone quite a lot of changes and is also shorter by approx. 20 min and thus in the last part of the secured path a detour through the forest is made. The gorge is very picturesque, sometimes dark and almost closed, sheer walls rise 200m high in places, on the path there are 6 waterfalls and very nice pools in which the brave can swim. Visiting the gorge and walking in cold water is a special experience worth a visit. I recommend visit in hot months, however before the visit check the passability status of the gorge, possibly at the tourist office in Kötscah Mauthen.