Entenloch Gorge

Wild limestone gorge carved by the Großache, just north of the village

The Entenlochklamm is a 2.5-kilometre limestone gorge carved by the Großache river as it cuts north through the mountains toward Bavaria. The path through the gorge is well-maintained but genuinely wild in places — the canyon walls close to less than five metres wide in the tightest sections, and the sound of the water bouncing off the rock is tremendous after rain.

The walk from Kössen to the gorge takes about 30 minutes on foot. Allow another hour to walk through the gorge itself. The trail is suitable for fit walkers but involves some steep sections and can be slippery when wet — proper footwear is recommended. The gorge is closed in winter and during periods of high water.

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A story
The gorge's name — Entenloch, literally "duck hole" — refers not to waterfowl but to an old German dialect word for the narrow, pinched shape of a canyon. The upper section of the gorge crosses into Bavaria, making this an unusual spot where you can walk from Austria into Germany through a river canyon rather than through a border post.

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