Sigmund Thun Gorge

The Sigmund Thun Gorge is a gorge near the Austrian town of Kaprun. It was formed some 14,000 years ago during the late Ice Age, when the Kaprun valley was buried by a massive glacier.It worked the hard limestone mica slate rocks of the Maiskogel and Bürgkogel with its flowing action, leaving a valley incision through which the Kapruner Ache runs down into the valley. On its 320-meter-long route through the Sigmund-Thun Gorge, the Kapruner Ache has cut up to 32 meters deep, forming spectacular smoothing areas, whirlpools, and pools. In 1893, Kapruner Nikolaus Gaßner opened the canyon with a wooden boardwalk and named it after then-Governor Sigmund Graf Thun-Hohenstein, who personally visited the gorge in 1895 while still in office.

The Kapruner Ache made its way through the Kaprun Valley over 30 meters deep and 320 meters long. The water begins its trip far above the Kaprun Valley on glaciers and mountains before plunging relentlessly into the valley. The uncontrolled power of water has sculpted the Sigmund Thun Gorge via rock and stone: an evocative, even magical location, a natural sight…Every year, massive amounts of water flow through the gorge, especially in the spring when the snow on the mountains melts. Because the water smooths the dramatic rock faces and forms new pools and potholes on a regular basis, this sight continues to change its appearance.

The gorge is accessible by specially built boardwalks and bridges; the hike takes around 30 minutes. However, take your time on the trip to wonder at this watery world! The Klammsee Reservoir, which may be circumnavigated by a pathway, is located near the upper end of the Sigmund Thun Gorge. The Klammseestüberl has a Kneipp facility, a playground, and snacks. This expedition is also acceptable for youngsters, although due to the wooden steps, it is not suited for prams or wheelchairs.