Liechtensteinklamm Gorge Hike: What the Photos Don’t Show

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You’ve probably seen photos of the giant spiral staircase winding through Liechtensteinklamm. I certainly had, and those pictures were exactly why I wanted to visit.

So, while staying in Salzburg, I took the train and bus to St. Johann im Pongau to finally see the famous gorge for myself. And surprisingly, the staircase wasn’t even the best part.

The Liechtensteinklamm gorge hike takes you between towering rock walls, through tunnels carved into the rock and past rushing water before reaching a huge waterfall at the end. The gorge itself was even more impressive than I expected.

There was one downside though: the crowds. I visited on a weekday in September and already found it quite busy, so this isn’t somewhere I’d personally want to visit during the peak summer season.

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What Is the Liechtensteinklamm Gorge Hike Like?

The Liechtensteinklamm gorge hike is more of a walk than a proper hike. The path is well maintained and easy to follow, although there are a lot of steps.

Liechtensteinklamm hike at a glance:

Distance: About 1 km (0.6 miles)
Steps: 440 each way
Elevation difference: Around 100 metres (328 feet)
Time: We spent about 1.5 h there, walking slowly and stopping often for photos
Route: Same way there and back
Difficulty: Easy walking, but lots of stairs

Wooden lodge and visitor area at the entrance to a forested gorge. People walk toward the building while steep cliffs and sunlit trees rise behind it.

What Is the Path Like?

The route is mostly gravel, with steps, bridges and several tunnels through the rock. You don’t need heavy hiking boots. I wore low cut barefoot hiking shoes and they worked perfectly fine.

I would still wear shoes with good grip, especially if it has been raining.

I saw everyone from small children to elderly visitors. The man ahead of us at the ticket office was 85 and very excited about going in! However, with 880 steps in total, the gorge isn’t suitable for everyone.

Wooden walkway curves along the side of a narrow rocky gorge. Two visitors stand on the path above turquoise water flowing between steep mossy cliffs.

Visitor walks through a dim tunnel carved directly through solid rock. Wooden handrails line the narrow passage as it curves out of sight.

What Does the Gorge Look Like?

The impressive scenery starts surprisingly quickly. Soon after entering, you’re walking between huge rock walls with the river below you.

I especially loved the different rock formations. Some sections were so smooth they reminded me more of a canyon than the other gorges I’ve visited in Austria.

One thing I hadn’t expected was how much safety infrastructure there is. There are plenty of fences and rockfall protection, and one bridge is completely enclosed by fencing, almost like a cage.

It’s understandable, but something to keep in mind if photography is important to you. You can see the gorge perfectly well, but getting a clear photo without fencing isn’t always possible.

Visitors climb a winding metal staircase suspended between steep moss covered rock walls. Multiple levels of the walkway curve through the narrow gorge above the water.

Is the Helix Staircase Worth the Hype?

The Helix staircase was one of the main reasons I wanted to visit Liechtensteinklamm. I had seen so many incredible photos of this huge spiral staircase inside the gorge.

In person, though, I found it a little disappointing.

Don’t get me wrong, the staircase is cool, but it wasn’t the highlight of the gorge for me. It was quite busy when I visited, and from the staircase itself, I didn’t think you got the same impressive view you see in promotional photos.

But in a way, that’s actually a good thing. I came for the famous staircase and ended up being much more impressed by Liechtensteinklamm itself.

Tall waterfall plunges down a steep mossy cliff into a rocky stream beside a wooden gorge walkway. Mist rises around the falls in the sunlight.

The Waterfall at the End

At the end of the gorge, you’ll reach a huge waterfall and photo point. This is as far as you can go before turning around and following the same path back.

There were a few picnic tables near the waterfall, but I wouldn’t plan on having a picnic here. The spray from the waterfall made the benches wet, and with people constantly arriving at the end of the trail, it wasn’t exactly a peaceful place to sit.

Since the whole Liechtensteinklamm hike only took us around 1.5 hours, I don’t think you need to bring snacks for the walk. I’d rather eat before or after visiting the gorge.

Narrow walkway passes beneath an overhanging rock wall with a wooden railing and protective wire mesh along the exposed side. The enclosed path shows how the route is built directly into the gorge.

Fast flowing turquoise water winds through a deep rocky channel seen through protective wire mesh. Steep stone walls rise closely on both sides of the gorge.

How Crowded Is Liechtensteinklamm?

If you don’t like crowds, I would avoid visiting Liechtensteinklamm during peak summer.

I visited on a weekday in early September and already found the gorge quite busy. Parking lot 1 was full and parking lot 2 was around half full, while the other car parks were mostly empty.

Considering there are five parking lots, I can only imagine how busy the gorge gets when they are all needed.

The official website recommends arriving around 9 am or after 2:30 pm for a quieter atmosphere, we got there at 10:30 am and it was definitely not quiet.

I did really enjoy Liechtensteinklamm because it’s such an impressive gorge but I think I would not have enjoyed it during peak season. Any more people than there already were would have taken away from the experience for me I think.

Narrow wooden walkway clings to a ledge high inside the gorge while water cascades through the deep rock channel below. Massive smooth stone walls surround the path and emphasize the depth and narrowness of the gorge.

How to Get to Liechtensteinklamm From Salzburg

You can easily visit Liechtensteinklamm without a car. I went as a day trip from Salzburg using the train and bus. Check the exact schedule here.

First, take the train from Salzburg to St. Johann im Pongau. From there, you have two options by bus:

Option 1: Take bus 540 from the train station to St.Johann Abzw Alpendorf. This requires less changing, but you’ll have a longer walk to the gorge.
Option 2: Take bus 530 to St. Johann Postamt, then change to bus 52 towards Liechtensteinklamm. The stop St.Johann Liechtensteinklamm is right next to parking lot 5.

I chose the second option.

Changing Buses in St. Johann im Pongau

Finding the bus stop at St. Johann train station was easy. When you leave the station, turn right and you’ll see the stop.

Changing buses in the town centre was slightly more confusing. There was a digital display showing the upcoming buses, but for some reason, my bus wasn’t listed.

There was nobody around to ask, so I wasn’t entirely sure I was waiting in the right place. Thankfully, the bus turned up exactly when it was supposed to.

Walking From the Bus Stop

It took me around 15 minutes to walk to the entrance from the closest bus stop (bus 52). You’re mostly walking along the access road rather than on a nice walking path, with cars passing on their way to the closer parking lots.

Mountain stream rushes around enormous boulders at the bottom of a steep forested gorge. Sunlight illuminates the trees and upper cliffs while the lower canyon remains shaded.

Tickets, Food and What to Know Before You Go

You can either buy your ticket there or buy it online in advance. There are QR codes along the walk to the entrance where you can purchase an online ticket and then scan it directly at the gate.

I bought my ticket at the ticket office. On a weekday in September, there were only two people ahead of me, but buying online could save you time during busier times.

Check the official Liechtensteinklamm website before your visit for current ticket prices and opening hours.

Food and Drinks

There are two restaurants just before the entrance. Neither had vegan food when I visited, so I wouldn’t rely on eating at Liechtensteinklamm if you’re vegan.

They’re still handy if you just want to grab a drink before or after the walk. You’ll also find souvenirs here, although I found most of them quite touristy and mass produced.

What Should You Bring?

You don’t need much for such a short walk, the only thing you really need is shoes with a good grip. You might also want to bring some water and a light jacket or extra layer.

The gorge can feel noticeably cooler than outside, so an extra layer is useful even if it’s warm when you arrive.

Wooden walkway follows the rock wall through the gorge with a tall waterfall visible beyond the railing. Sunlit green trees grow between the towering cliffs.

Is the Liechtensteinklamm Gorge Hike Worth It?

Yes, I think Liechtensteinklamm is worth visiting, especially if you can avoid the peak summer crowds.

The towering rock walls, rushing water, tunnels and changing rock formations make this short walk really interesting. And because the scenery starts almost immediately, you get a lot out of a relatively short visit.

The main downside for me was the crowds. Even on a weekday in September, it felt busy enough that I personally wouldn’t want to visit during peak season.

But outside the busiest months, I’d definitely recommend it. It’s a great option if you’re staying in Salzburg and want an easy nature day trip that you can do without a car.

Tina with a hiking backpack leans on a wooden railing overlooking the rushing stream deep inside the rocky gorge. Protective wire netting covers the cliff above the walkway.

What to Do After Visiting Liechtensteinklamm

Liechtensteinklamm itself only takes around 1 to 1.5 hours, so if you have a car, I would combine it with another attraction nearby.

Hohenwerfen Castle is a great option. It’s very close to Liechtensteinklamm, and you even save €1.50 on your castle entrance ticket if you show your Liechtensteinklamm ticket.

Another option is Eisriesenwelt, the famous ice cave in Werfen. Both attractions are close enough to make much more of your day in this part of Salzburg.

You can also combine them when travelling by public transport, but expect a little more walking and planning. If you’re relying on trains and buses like I was, I would check the connections carefully before trying to fit two attractions into the same day.

Looking for more ideas? Check out my best day trips from Salzburg to find your next stop.