The Leutasch Ghost Gorge: walkways above the ravine

800 metres of walkway directly above the water, three routes of different lengths and an entrance fee for one short section only: the Leutasch Ghost Gorge is 15 minutes from Seefeld and the region's most dependable family outing.

Fifteen minutes by car from Seefeld, on the border between Tirol and Bavaria, the Leutascher Ache has cut a gorge into the rock. Walkways and bridges hang above that gorge, and because that looks like adventure to children and like a natural spectacle to adults, the Ghost Gorge is the outing we recommend most often.

It works in any weather, it costs almost nothing, and it can be walked in three different lengths.

The three routes

Klammgeistweg, 3,000 metres. The main route, of which around 800 metres run on walkways directly above the water. It enters the gorge from the Tyrolean side and leaves it on the Bavarian side. Along the way, boards tell the story of the gorge spirit – written for children, read by everyone.

Koboldpfad, 1,900 metres. The shorter variant, easily combined with the Klammgeistweg into a circuit. Hands-on stations make it the genuine children's route.

Wasserfallsteig, 500 metres. The shortest and most spectacular section, a spur path in to the waterfall and back out the same way.

Add to those the Panorama Bridge and the Höll Bridge, both freely accessible and both offering the view you really came for.

What it costs

The Klammgeistweg, the Koboldpfad, the Höll Bridge and the Panorama Bridge are free to enter – from every side, with no ticket office. Only the Wasserfallsteig carries a small charge: 4 euros for adults, 2 euros for children.

That is an unusual arrangement and it regularly causes confusion. You can walk the gorge in full for nothing and pay only for the 500-metre detour.

Opening times

The Klammgeistweg and Koboldpfad are open daily from May to the end of October, the Wasserfallsteig daily with access until 6pm. In winter the walkways are closed – ice on metal grating is not a good idea.

Practicalities

Allow two to two and a half hours for the full circuit. Sturdy shoes are essential; the walkways are slippery when wet. Pushchairs will not get through on the walkways; a child carrier is the better solution.

There are car parks on both the Tyrolean and the Bavarian side. With the PlateauCard you can take the bus for free instead – the regional buses run as far as Mittenwald, which is beyond the gorge.

Good to know

The gorge is busy around midday in July and August. Start at nine and you will have long stretches to yourself.

Afterwards the rest of the Leutasch valley is worth the time: the Gaistal with its alpine huts, and in winter the toboggan run at the Katzenkopf. And if you are already planning what else you can reach in a day, we have collected the day trips around Seefeld.

This post is part of our Seefeld Guide with all our tips for your stay on the plateau.