Bärenschützklamm is one of the most beautiful gorges in Austria. The hike goes over 100 bridges and 50 wooden ladders. It was closed for longer time, because of renovation works, following a serious rock fall accident, and current plan is that it will open again on 5th May 2024.
Please note that this event is very demanding and lengthy, it will be long day with activities which can take some 9h and altitude gain of 1350 m. Surefootedness, free of dizziness, and good physical shape are a must, and the effort must be below your personal physical limit - you should also already have good experience with C-level ferratas.
Our circular route will start at Mixnitz train station and continue towards the gorge entrance. There we must pay a maintenance fee in the amount of some 5 euros or similar. There should be small discount for AV members, so bringing your membership card is advisable). After hiking for about 1.5 hours over footbridges and ladders through the gorge and admiring the waterfalls and rugged rock faces, we will reach the Gasthaus "Zum Guten Hirten".
Passing the gorge is technically not difficult, and consists of many wooden bridges and ladders, secured by handrails.
Our path continues towards the hut "Steirischer Jokl" (pilgrimage church Schüsserlbrunn) and then to the rocky summit of Hochlantsch (1,720 m), the highest peak in the Graz mountains, There are two ways to ascent the peak, either the normal way or via Franz-Scheikl-Naturfreunde via ferrata (level of difficulty B/C). The plan is to do the ferrata, unless we decide on the spot to go the normal way for a good reason.
From the summit, a forest path takes a little over 1 hour to the lake Teichalm.
Now we hike back in 1.5 hours over the Zechnermoarweg again to "Zum Guten Hirten", where we can take lunch/snack and continue down to the starting point.
The event will take place only in good weather conditions, otherwise will be canceled or postponed to another day.
