Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts at the Raggaschlucht car park in the hamlet of Schmelzhütten and goes through it to the ticket office and kiosk at the foot of the gorge. The gorge path is a one-way system of wooden walkways, bridges and steps along vertical and in places overhanging rock walls beside the Raggabach, with a geological trail of information points; it climbs about 200 m in 800 m. At the top, steps lead to a forest track, which runs back down the west side of the valley, steep in its last third, to Schmelzhütten and the car park.
It is 2.7 km round with 211 m of ascent; allow about 1½ hours, which is also the operator's time for the round. The grade is Moderate, above the time-based Easy, for the climb on walkways that are wet and slippery in places and for the sure-footedness the operator says is required. The gorge is walked one way only, from the bottom to the top, because the walkways have no passing places. The operator says strollers are not possible, dogs must be on a lead and are not recommended, and children must be sure-footed and closely supervised. Water drips from the rock in places, so take a waterproof jacket and sturdy shoes.
Entry is charged at the ticket office. The operator's page gives 11:00 to 15:00 daily for 12 to 31 October 2026, depending on the weather, with the last entry at closing time; it says a winter closure follows and the gorge reopens from early or mid-May, and gives no date for the start of the closure. The gorge closes in bad weather, in heavy rain and in storms, and the operator's page lists days it was closed; ring the ticket office (+43 4785 333) for the day's state.
The Raggaschlucht car park in Schmelzhütten is about 500 m from the ticket office through the hamlet; the operator's travel page lists two large free car parks about 10 minutes' walk from the ticket house, and OpenStreetMap tags this one fee=no.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- The gorge of the Raggabach is about 800 m long; the path through it is a system of wooden walkways along vertical and partly overhanging rock walls, with about 200 m of climb
- The gorge is walked one way only, from the bottom to the top, because the walkways have no passing places; the way back is a forest path, somewhat steep in its last third
- A geological trail with information points runs along it
- Entry is charged; the operator says strollers are not possible and dogs must be on a lead, and that the gorge closes in bad weather and outside its posted hours
Getting there
Start: Raggaschlucht car park, Schmelzhütten · Free parking. 46.93071, 13.13650
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Raggaschlucht car park: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.