Entenloch Gorge

The Entenloch Gorge, known in German as Entenlochklamm, is a striking 2.5-kilometer-long water gap carved by the Leukental river. Situated on the border between Bavaria, Germany, and Tyrol, Austria, the gorge is a dramatic passage through a transverse mountain range characterized by steep rock walls. The river, known as the Großache as it approaches the gorge and then the Tiroler Achen as it flows into Tyrol, has sculpted this landscape over millennia.

Geology and Formation

The gorge's formation is attributed to the Großache river's persistent erosion through resistant geological layers. It cuts through steeply placed bars of Rhaetian limestone and Jurassic rock, which form the southern boundary of the Oberwössener depression. This durable bedrock meant that the river could only create a gorge-like passage since the last ice age. Above the gorge on the Austrian side, the pilgrimage church Maria Klobenstein is nestled in a depression formed by weathered layers, with its name derived from a large rock deposited by a landslide.

Historical Context and Development

The Entenloch Gorge has been a site of both natural hazards and human activity. Since the 16th century, the area has experienced several extreme floods of the Großache, prompting significant flood control measures. A notable disaster in 1899 led to a large-scale flood control project, with the regulation of the Großache from 1906 to 1922 involving blasting to widen the gorge from its original narrow stretch of about 3.4 meters to 12 meters. This widening aimed to mitigate flooding upstream in the Kössen valley basin by preventing debris from becoming wedged.

Historically, the gorge was also associated with a smugglers' path, accessed via a hanging bridge. This route was used by residents of the border area to transport goods like cigarettes, alcohol, and coffee, thereby evading customs duties.

Modern Tourism and Accessibility

In recent years, efforts have been made to enhance the touristic appeal of the Entenloch Gorge in a sustainable manner. As part of an Interreg project, a 35-meter-long hanging bridge was constructed in 2021 at a height of 28 meters, accompanied by a new viewing platform, resting spots, and parking facilities. This development allows visitors to experience the gorge's natural beauty more readily. A loop trail incorporating both hanging bridges and the viewing platform takes approximately 50 minutes to complete and is moderately hilly. The longer 'Smugglers' Path' from Kössen to Schleching spans 7.5 km and is estimated to take about two hours to walk.