The alpine canyon between Bavaria and Tyrol
Smuggler's trail in Klobenstein
On the old route of a Samerweg between Bavaria and Tyrol the smuggler's trail Klobenstein is located. Almost 2000 years ago, this path was an important trade route between north and south. The Celts already used this connection and transported goods such as copper and bronze. Later, in the Middle Ages, the route was used as a transport route for wine and salt - and of course numerous smugglers chose this path as their route. After World War 2 cigarettes, coffee, rum and even wheels of cheese were smuggled between Germany and Austria.
In 2021, the themed hiking trail Schmugglerweg Klobenstein was redesigned and now offers even more highlights for you! In addition to romantic resting places, breathtaking viewing platforms and the new, 20m long suspension bridge Entenlochklamm you can experience many an adventure on the route from Kössen to Schleching in Bavaria.
The entrance to the Smuggler's Trail is the Teufelsstiege, the "Devil's Staircase" with 69 steps. After that, the infamous path of the muleteers and smugglers takes you into the heart of the canyon. A circular trail leads across two mighty suspension bridges over the Großache River, then you come to the mystical power spot of the Klobenstein pilgrimage church.
Attention. The themed hiking trail is not suitable for baby carriages and cannot be passed in winter or when there is a risk of thunderstorms or flooding!
Pilgrimage church
Maria Klobenstein
According to legend, a huge boulder fell as part of a mudflow and split just in time in front of a farmer's wife. In gratitude for this miracle, Maria Klobenstein ("cloven" = split stone) was built. The large church consists of two baroque chapels - a Loreto chapel and a Mariahilf chapel.
The altar bears the figure of the black Madonna with baroque clothing. Below, additionally a small Lourdes chapel was built, where the spring water, which is considered holy, splashes into a small fountain and a hermitage. Today's Klobenstein inn still reminds us of the former hermit's dwelling.
The route then continues through the Entenlochklamm gorge and then across the once strictly controlled border to Schleching in the Bavarian Chiemgau Achental valley.
Hike through the alpine canyon
The themed hiking trail Smuggler's Trail Klobenstein has been awarded the Mountain Trail Quality Seal by the Province of Tyrol. This seal confirms that our difficulty classification, protection of danger spots, uniform marking and information content is sufficient. And we are very proud of that!
In our hiking pass you will find the Smuggler's Trail Klobenstein twice: one time as a destination for the Wanderfuchs ("hiking fox") badge and the other time as a destination for the Premium Hiking Pin. So: kill two birds with one stone and start hiking!
Information Smuggler's Trail Klobenstein
Interactive smuggler adventure
Looking for even more excitement? Then start your way through the alpine canyon and experience an exciting audio adventure! But be warned: there are many dangers and challenges lurking along the way! As a player, you smuggle a certain commodity along the smuggler's path. Tricky tasks and puzzles await you at the individual stations. At some stations you also have the opportunity to increase your goods.
To start the adventure, simply download the Locandy APP (see
QR code) and get the treasure map - either at the tourist offices or directly at the starting point. Or even easier: just download the map here:
LINK ZUM PDF HIER EINFÜGEN!
Then start your adventure and the app will guide you from station to station. Solve the riddles, enter the correct answers on the smuggler's map and then pick up a small reward at the Kössen tourist office. So: be brave, clever and have fun!
You can also discover the entire Klobenstein Smuggler's Trail here!
AB245
Interreg Projekt
Sustainable valorization of the natural and cultural heritage of the Klobenstein Gorge from Bavaria to Kaiserwinkl-Tyrol
In this project the valorization of the numerous natural monuments as well as the cultural monument Klobenstein is pursued. The focus is on an environmentally friendly and resource-saving development of the Klobenstein Gorge – thus, above all, through ecologically considered nature-oriented infrastructure measures. The measures concern the revitalization of the path network, construction of bridges, a platform, rest and information areas, and a panorama walkway.
The existing trail was upgraded to a themed hiking trail by 2021: A second suspension bridge, several viewing platforms and infotainment points were built. The new Smuggler's Trail is a real experience for young and old and was officially opened on 03.07.2021.
