Gerlosbach

The Gerlosbach rises high in the Zillertal Alps beneath the Reichenspitze, fed by the Wildgerloskees glacier. It flows north through the Wildgerlostal valley, gathering water from the Unterer Gerlossee before reaching the Durlaßboden reservoir. The stream then turns west into the Gerlostal, passing through the village of Gerlos and receiving the Schönach and Wimmerbach tributaries. The river’s catchment covers about 200 square kilometres naturally, enlarged to 220 square kilometres by diverted streams. Its waters power hydro-electric plants at Durlaßboden and Gmünd, then continue through a narrow gorge to Zell am Ziller. Below the Gmünd reservoir the channel is lined in places, yet the upper reaches remain almost untouched within the Hohe Tauern National Park. Visitors find a clear mountain stream of excellent water quality, its banks lined with alpine meadows and rock faces. The Wildgerlostal offers walking paths beside the upper course, while the lower valley passes quiet villages and reservoirs. The route ends where the Gerlosbach meets the Ziller near Rohrberg.