Raabklamm

The Raabklamm runs about twelve kilometres from Passail down to Weiz, which makes it the longest gorge in Styria, and it is quite unlike the engineered klammen elsewhere in the country: there are no ladders or galleries, the path simply follows the river along the bottom of a deep wooded valley on ordinary forest track and footbridge, so the walking is easy and the character is green and quiet rather than vertical and dramatic. It divides into an upper and lower section with several entry points, so it can be walked in pieces of a couple of hours or as a full day end to end. The river is clear, there are pools, mills and old weirs along it, and the valley holds a good list of plants and birds. Weiz at the lower end has bus connections back.

The landscape

• Twelve kilometres of gorge - the longest in Styria, walked end to end.
• Ordinary forest paths - no ladders or galleries, just track and footbridge.
• A clear river with pools - mills and old weirs along the bottom.
• Several entry points - so it can be done in sections or in full.

When to go

April to October. A day for the full length.

Things to know

It is long and linear - plan the return by bus or arrange a car at each end. Paths flood and close after heavy rain. It is green and pleasant rather than spectacular.

Nearby

Weiz is at the lower end; Passail is at the top; Graz is south.

Key facts