Salzachöfen

Salzachöfen, sometimes translated as Salzachöfen Gorge, is a narrow gorge in the Northern Limestone Alps of Salzburg State, Austria. The gap is formed by the Salzach river as it cuts between the Hagen Mountains and Tennen Mountains. Lueg Pass provides a route along the Salzach above Salzachöfen. The terms Lueg Pass and Salzachöfen are sometimes used interchangeably to refer to the whole canyon.

Salzachöfen
Salzachöfen Gorge
The upper portion of the gorge
Salzachöfen is located in Austria
Salzachöfen
Salzachöfen
Location within Austria
Depth60 m (200 ft)
Geography
CountryAustria
StateSalzburg
DistrictHallein
Coordinates47°34′38″N 13°11′25″E 

The site is considered a Natural Monument of Austria.[1]

Geography

The Salzach river has its source in the Central Eastern Alps and flows easterly through a large valley before turning north towards the Berchtesgaden Alps. Here, the Salzach cuts a narrow valley between the Hagen Mountains to the west and the Tennen Mountains to the east and terminates with the deeply incised Salzachöfen. The gorge, at the narrowest point of the valley, is located on an S-bend where the Salzach briefly flows east before cutting west then flowing north again. From this point north, the Salzach runs through mostly low-lying valleys. Salzachöfen is located just south of Golling an der Salzach in Hallein District, Salzburg.

Access

Salzachöfen serves as a tourist attraction and can be accessed via a staircase and trail from Highway B159. There is a zipline that crosses the gorge during summer months.[2]

Whitewater kayaking is popular activity through the ravine although the waters can be treacherous and deadly. Adolf Anderle's descent of Salzachöfen in 1931 is considered the birth of whitewater kayaking.[3]

  • Pathway to the lower gorge
    Pathway to the lower gorge
  • A limestone arch
    A limestone arch
  • Above the lower gorge
    Above the lower gorge
  • The Salzach flowing through the gorge
    The Salzach flowing through the gorge

References
  1. "Schutzgebiet". Land Salzburg. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  2. "Power of Elements - from the expedition to the flying fox". Golling.info. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  3. McWilliams, Sarah. "Origins: The History of Kayaking". ATLX. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
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