The ULTIMATE guide to the Leutascher Geisterklamm
This is the ultimate guide to the Leutascher Geisterklamm, a stunning gorge in Bavaria. Straddling the Austria-Germany border, the Leutascher Geisterklamm is an easy hike with the reward of beautiful scenery. In this post, I’ll share a bit of background about the Geisterklamm, a guide to the three trails, and some logistical info to help you get there.
What is the Leutascher Geisterklamm?
Simply put: the Leutascher Geisterklamm is a beautiful gorge in Bavaria with three easy and accessible trails.
Bavaria has so many beautiful gorges. The rock in the region is easily eroded by the snow melt that cascades down from the Bavarian Alps every spring. Over time, this has carved out deep chasms. Crystal clear, turquoise-coloured meltwater from the mountains floods these gorges every spring and summer, creating a beautiful contrast with the spring greenery.
The Leutascher Geisterklamm (also called Geisterklamm or Leutaschklamm), is one of these beautiful gorges. It lies on the border of Bavaria (Germany) and Tyrol (Austria), in the town of Mittenwald. The Geisterklamm, which translates as ‘Spirit Gorge’, is named for the mountain spirit that local legend says dwells in the crevices of the gorge. But don’t worry, the only fear here is for those scared of heights.
Legend also has it that mischievous goblins live in and around the gorge. But don’t worry, the only fear here is for those scared of heights. It’s likely that these myths arose from the sound of ice melting and the weird noises that echo across the gorge during snowmelt. But it never hurts to keep a look-out for faerie folk!
This is especially true if you’re travelling with children. When a trail was developed for public access, the spirit was branded as a friendly guide to the gorge. There are lots of lovely signs along the trails that detail the history, geology, and mythology of the gorge – fun for adults and children alike!
Other notable gorge hikes include Partnachklamm and Höllentalklamm in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen area, these are well-known as they form part of the trail up Germany’s highest mountain.
Where is the Leutascher Geisterklamm?
The Leutascher Geisterklamm is in the Alps on the border between Bavaria, Germany, and Tyrol, Austria. It is near the German town of Mittenwald and the Austrian village of Leutasch. The gorge is easy to reach and makes a great stop if you’re exploring this stunning region.
How to get to the Leutascher Geisterklamm?
By car:
Driving is the easiest way to get to the Geisterklamm. If you’re coming from Germany, head to Mittenwald, and from Austria, head to Leutasch. There are two parking areas: one on the German side in Mittenwald and another near the entrance on the Austrian side. Parking costs around €6 for the day.
- From Munich (Germany): It’s about a 1.5-hour drive south. Follow the A95 towards Garmisch-Partenkirchen, then take the B2 to Mittenwald.
- From Innsbruck (Austria): It’s around a 40-minute drive north via the A12 and B177.
By public transport:
If you’re using public transport, the train is a great option. Take the train to Mittenwald station, which is part of the beautiful Munich-Innsbruck rail route. From there, it’s about a 30-minute walk or a short taxi ride to the gorge.
By bike or on foot:
If you’re an avid walker or cyclist, you can follow the paths leading from Mittenwald or Leutasch to the gorge. It’s a great way to enjoy the scenery on your way there!
A guide to hiking in and around the Leutascher Geisterklamm
There are three hiking trails in total. Two of them are circular trails (the Gorge Ghost Trail and the Goblin Trail), and one is a short there-and-back trail (the Waterfall Trail).
All three trails can be combined! If you want to hike them all, it’s around 2 hours of walking time in total.
#1 GOING INSIDE THE LEUTASCHER GEISTERKLAMM (GREEN TRAIL)
One of the best parts about visiting the Geisterklamm is going inside the gorge! You’ll get to walk along a 200m trail, built onto the walls of the gorge. This is the only trail you have to pay for, but it only costs €3 EUR for adults and €1 for children, which is totally worth it. Especially as we were there in August when it was upwards of 30 Celsius, the temperature in the Geisterklamm was blissfully cool and refreshing.
Pay at the small snack hut, and go through the turnstile. Simply follow the metal and wooden walkways to the end of the gorge. They can be a bit slippery at times, so be careful!
The gorge is open from May to October. Do note that it closes at 6 PM year-round.
#2 HIKING THE GHOST ROUTE (RED TRAIL)
The Klammgeistweg or ghost trail, is around 3 km in total. The hike starts at the parking lot on the Austrian side of the gorge. Austrian side? That’s right, this hike involves a border crossing, which is no big deal. You don’t even need your passport. It costs €6 EUR to park your car for the day.
The path is pretty self-explanatory, you can refer to the map above (it’s the red trail). Follow the path, and then the metal walkways to the Panorama Bridge. Head over the bridge then loop back around the other side of the gorge to go back to the car park, unless you want to continue down the other side to visit the inside of the Leutascher Geisterklamm.
There are information boards with fun facts about the geology and myths and legends of the gorge, which are fun to read, especially if you need a little rest. There are also activities and play areas built into the trail to keep children entertained.
#3 HIKING THE GOBLIN ROUTE (BLUE TRAIL)
The Koboldpfad, or Goblin trail, is a 2km circular trail. The hike officially starts at the entrance to the gorge, but you’ll probably want to park along Innsbruckerstraße in Mittenwald, Germany. This adds a kilometre or so as you walk along the river to reach the gorge.
The path is to the right of the hut where you pay your entrance fee to go inside the Geisterklamm. Follow the switchbacks up, across the Panoramabrücke, then head left to follow the trail down again (blue trail), where you’ll be can learn about the goblins that supposedly inhabit the gorge as you enjoy a beautiful forest trail. Again, this hike is really child friendly, with interactive signs, lots of cool statues and figures, and musical instruments to play along the way.
Why visit the Leutascher Geisterklamm
The Leutascher Geisterklamm is a great stop on any adventure through Bavaria and Tyrol. We stopped here on our Germany-Austria-Italy-Croatia-Slovenia road trip, as a way to stretch our legs and enjoy the sunshine.
All three of the walks are short and easy, with extremely rewarding views. The highlight is the Höllbrücke, or hell bridge, which straddles the gorge with a 75 metre drop beneath.
Since summer 2023, the Geisterklamm has had an upgrade, with an engaging themed trail inviting visitors of all ages to explore captivating stories about nature and folklore. As you walk the themed trails – Gorge Path, Goblin Path, and Ghost Path – you’ll uncover these enchanting stories through various experience points along the way.
Here are 5 Good Reasons to Hike the Geisterklamm
- The views are beautiful! The path is made up of steel walkways and bridges, which are 75 metres above the gorge! It’s a truly spectacular hike, especially considering how easy it is.
- You get to cross a border! If you’re from the Schengen area of Europe, this is no biggie. But if you’re visiting from elsewhere, taking taking a picture standing with one foot in Germany and the other in Austria is super novel, especially for children.
- It’s a great way to cool down! If you’re visiting in summer, Germany and Austria can get hot. The gorge is mysterious, secluded, and blissfully cool if you need to escape the heat.
- Learn about local legends! There are lots of interesting things to read along the way. Learn about the history and geology of the area, and discover some of the interesting folklore surrounding the Geisterklamm
- It’s super child-friendly. For those who travel with children (or are children at heart), the Geisterklamm has lots of fun activities along the way to keep us entertained!
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Alice
Alice is a UK travel blogger who advocates sustainable travel and being more eco-conscious on a budget. She loves coffee, her houseplants and summiting mountains.
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