Steinwandklamm

The Steinwandklamm is a narrow gorge near Weißenbach an der Triesting in Lower Austria, straddling the municipal border between Furth an der Triesting and Muggendorf. Carved by a mountain stream rising on the Almesbrunnberg, the gorge was opened to visitors in 1884 by the Austrian Tourist Club. A series of small caves punctuate the southern wall, the largest called the Wildschützenhöhle, and a little higher up sits the Türkenloch, a 20-metre passage. The gorge’s lower entrance lies at about 550 metres beside the Reischer inn, and after half a kilometre the Rudolf-Decker-Steig branches off on the left. This iron-and-wood staircase, built in 1927, climbs roughly 150 metres through steep rock. Near the start a short ladder leads to the Wildschützenhöhle; an alternative route halves the climb. The path then crosses ledges and a narrow cleft before reaching the Türkenloch. Beyond the cave the trail steepens with cable protection, emerging on a plateau at about 750 metres. From there a forest track descends to the Kreuthsattel inn and the return loop to the starting point. Local legend ties the Türkenloch to events during the 1683 Turkish siege, when hidden villagers were supposedly betrayed by smoke from their fires.