The Kitzlochklamm gorge is a natural wonder with its own unique charm. Its name comes from the young goats that liked to seek out the cool gorge and tunnel in summer. Here, the Rauriser Ache river has carved its way through the limestone slate, creating vertical walls over thousands of years.
The tunnel you pass through here is called the “Ritzstollen” because it was dug by miners searching for gold. It bears the date 1553. Iron tools of Roman origin were also found when the path through the gorge was built. As early as 1833, the imperial and royal caretaker Johann Zehentner made the gorge accessible. In 1877, the path was improved and led through the entire gorge. Mr. Embach Anton began construction in 1877 on the right bank of the Rauriser Ache river at the start of the gorge. Work then continued at the top of the Mittelsteig trail with the extension of the old Kitzloch and the construction of the high Embacher staircase, which was dismantled the following year and laid out in serpentines, greatly facilitating access to the stalactite cave. From the stalactite cave, the path then led along the left bank through the gorge and connected with the first part of the project, the breakthrough of the rock and the construction of the Embach Schreckbrücke bridge and gallery, where the impressive waterfalls can be seen in all their glory.
The gorge must have been particularly famous at the end of the last century, because even then tens of thousands of visitors were counted.
After the tragic accident in the Kitzlochklamm gorge in July 1974, the gorge was closed. In 1976, it was reopened with newly built bridges and footbridges, and every year many visitors from near and far come to admire the beauty of this natural monument.
