Sigmund Thun Gorge Travel Guide

The Sigmund Thun Gorge, or Sigmund Thun Klamm, is a spectacular natural attraction near Kaprun in the Austrian state of Salzburg. Over millennia, the Kapruner Ache river, originating from the glaciers high in the Kaprun Valley, has shaped this dramatic landscape. The result is a 320-meter-long and up to 32-meter-deep gorge with towering rock formations, cascading waterfalls, and lush vegetation.Inhabited as early as 4,000 years ago, the area was chosen for its ore-rich countryside and natural defenses. The gorge was made accessible to the public in 1893 thanks to Nikolaus Gassner, a local tourism pioneer, who constructed wooden pathways. The gorge is named after Sigmund Count von Thun-Hohenstein, the governor of Salzburg at the time, who was captivated by its beauty. Although declared a natural monument in 1934, the gorge closed in 1938 due to hydroelectric power plans. It reopened in 1992 and has since become a popular attraction.Visitors can explore the gorge via well-maintained wooden walkways and bridges suspended above the churning waters. The experience is unforgettable, with the deafening sound of rushing water and the refreshing mist from the waterfalls. Information boards provide insights into the geology, history, and ecology of the gorge. At the end of the path, visitors can admire the artificial Klamm waterfall and Klammsee reservoir.