HOHE TAUERN PANORAMA TRAIL | Stage 13 Kitzlochklamm gorge | Taxenbach - Embach Hiking tours
Tour description
Through the spectacular Kitzlochklamm gorge and to an ancient pilgrimage site
After the long stage on the previous day, this is a short section that allows you to regain your strengths for the remaining sections of the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail. You definitely won't get bored: after a very nice walk directly above the Salzach river, which is quite wide at this point, you reach the famous Kitzlochklamm gorge (with entrance fee!). A well-built spectacular path with bridges and stairs takes you through the gorge, affording stunning views of the deep rocky gorge and its thundering waterfalls. This stage is short enough that you have plenty of time to enjoy the spectacle. From the upper end of the gorge you reach the small pilgrimage church of Maria Elend via beautiful paths and finally you get to the idyllic village of Embach, the day's destination.TIP: Enjoy an unforgettable hiking experience on the High Tauern Panorama Trail! The official High Tauern Panorama Trail Information and Booking Center with the award-winning Trail Angels team is happy to assist you. Experience a combination of personal freedom and the yearning for the extraordinary, paired with service, comfort, and safety. Top offer: The Small Escape Package: 2 nights, 2 stages including luggage service, shuttle and return transfer, and much more, starting from €212.
Details & elevation profile
Starting point
In front of the tourist information office in Taxenbach
Finishing point
In front of the tourist information office in Embach
Route type
Hiking tours
Route description:
From the start of the stage at the tourist information office or the municipal office in the centre of Taxenbach, you walk east along Dorfstraße, then turn left opposite the "Haus für Kinder" into Elisabeth-Lackner-Gasse and cross the main road at the end of the lane via an underpass. You now keep left, and at the next crossroads you turn right in the direction of "Salzachpromenade" (path no. 1) and continue straight on down the path in the direction of the Salzach river. A bridge takes you over the tracks and to the other side of the Salzach river. This is where the Salzach promenade starts, which you follow to the left and which takes you through the forest along the Salzach bank to an asphalt road. The road leading to the right is also the feeder road to the entrance of the Kitzlochklamm gorge.
Then you enter the gorge and follow the hugely impressive and very well built uphill path through the gorge to the exit at the other end (keep to the right at the only fork). Most people walk back when they get here; but you continue to follow the beautiful hiking trail above the much smoother gorge until after a bridge hiking trail no. 4 "Embach" branches off to the left and takes you up a short steep path to the road towards Embach.
Now you cross the road and continue along the hiking trail quite steeply uphill until you reach a forest road. Keeping left, the forest road takes you to a small asphalt road. Signpost no. 4 "Embach" points you across the road slightly uphill to the pilgrimage sites of Maria Elend.
Below the chapel, hiking trail no. 1 branches off diagonally to the left in the direction of Embach. From here you walk across idyllic meadows to a small asphalt road at the upper edge of Embach. You turn left down the small road until a short footpath takes you straight ahead through the village down to the main road through Embach. The tourist information office and the official end of this stage will be immediately to your right.
Tips
Recommended equipment
- Day backpack, capacity: 20 litres, with waist belt and rain cover
- Hiking boots - minimum category B
- Weather-adapted and hard-wearing clothing in multiple layers. The Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail is mostly at altitudes between 1,300m and 2,450m - this should be taken into account when choosing your hiking equipment (especially your clothing).
- Height-adjustable trekking poles
- Sun and rain protection
- Make sure take enough to eat and sufficiently large water bottles with you, as there are not refreshment stops and fountains on all stages (e.g. on stages 5 and 7).
- First aid kit
- Pocket knife
- Mobile phone
- Tour description or hiking map
Best time of year
How to get there
Coming from the east: A1 Westautobahn
Coming from the south: A10 Tauern motorway
Coming from the west: A12 Inntalautobahn to Wörgl (then on federal roads)
47.29289, 12.964
Coming from the north: German motorway A9 from Munich
Coming from the east: A1 Westautobahn
Coming from the south: A10 Tauern motorway
Coming from the west: A12 Inntalautobahn to Wörgl (then on federal roads)
Further information & links
- Ferienregion Nationalpark Hohe Tauern Gerlosstraße 18 5730 Mittersill, Austria Phone +43 6562 40939 E-Mail: hohetauerntrail@nationalpark.at
- Booking center & info hotline Trail Angels GmbH 9821 Obervellach 15, Austria Phone +43 4782 93093 E-Mail: info@bookyourtrail.com